Washington’s new “Housing in Commercial and Mixed-Use Zones” law, SB 6026, creates new opportunities to redevelop underused commercial and mixed-use properties for housing. Effective June 11, 2026, the law limits certain cities and counties from excluding residential uses in these
Ahead of Schedule
Real Estate, Development & Construction Law Blog
Ahead of Schedule, published by Stoel Rives LLP, focuses on legal developments and practical guidance primarily in real estate, construction, and dispute resolution. The blog covers regulatory changes affecting real estate professionals, contract drafting strategies to anticipate litigation risks, and evolving laws impacting construction project payments and retention. It also explores mediation dynamics and the implications of contract clauses such as third-party beneficiary provisions. The content is aimed at helping legal practitioners, developers, contractors, and brokers navigate compliance, risk management, and dispute resolution within these sectors.
Blog Authors
Latest from Ahead of Schedule
How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Construction Administration
Artificial intelligence is beginning to change construction administration by helping project teams organize information, track commitments, analyze schedules, and identify emerging risks. While these applications may be less visible than autonomous equipment or robotic jobsites, they can reduce the routine…
Managing Construction Risk through Cost Transparency
Construction projects have always relied on trust when evaluating costs, but today’s market conditions are driving owners and developers to seek greater visibility into how project pricing is developed and verified. With tighter project margins, ongoing uncertainty in labor and…
Could California’s New Construction Claims Law Override Your Contract?
Many owners and contractors assume that their construction contract controls how claims and disputes will be handled. After all, substantial time is often spent negotiating notice provisions, mediation requirements, dispute resolution procedures, and payment terms.
Beginning with many private construction…
Go Your Own Way: Easier Said Than Done on Washington Construction Projects
Originally published to the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce on August 11, 2026
Ending a construction contract can trigger significant legal and practical consequences for owners and contractors. This article examines the risks that can arise when project participants decide…
Stoel Rives Ranked No. 21 in Construction Executive Magazine’s 2026 The Top 50 Construction Law Firms™ in the United States
Stoel Rives has been named to Construction Executive’s The Top 50 Construction Law Firms™ annual national rankings for a seventh consecutive year and ranked No. 21 for 2026, rising six places from the 2025 ranking. Construction Executive evaluated firms on…
Managing construction risks with international suppliers
As construction projects increasingly rely on specialized or international suppliers, project teams should evaluate more factors than pricing and product availability. Overseas vendors can offer significant advantages, but they may also introduce legal and practical challenges that become difficult to…
Does Your Cloud Have a Silver Lining? Top Ten legal issues to consider on data center construction projects
Data center construction projects involve more than delivering complex technical infrastructure on an accelerated schedule. Owners, developers, contractors, and design professionals must navigate legal and contractual issues that can affect project performance, increase costs, and lead to disputes throughout the…
Washington resets the rules for condos and common interest communities
Washington’s common interest community framework is undergoing its most significant shift in decades. Recent legislative changes to Washington’s Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) will unify all associations under a single statute by 2028, fundamentally reshaping governance and compliance obligations.…
Congress Advances Sweeping Housing Reform: Key Implications for Affordable Housing
In June 2026, Congress, in a bi-partisan action, passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (the “Act”) which is widely viewed as the most significant federal housing legislation in decades. While President Trump did not sign the Act into…