Construction Law & Litigation
The attorneys at the Sacramento law office of Greve, Clifford, Wengel & Paras, LLP have significant experience in construction law and litigation, representing developers, contractors and others involved in the construction industry in central and northern California.
Transactions
Construction projects are complex undertakings, involving many different entities, some with distinct functions and others with overlapping responsibilities. Having well-drafted contracts which clearly spell out the rights, responsibilities, and expectations of the parties is essential to realizing a project that meets your goals and objectives, or that protects you in the event a dispute arises or the venture does not progress in the way you were envisioning.
With experience in business and corporate transactions, including commercial real estate, our lawyers are capable of negotiating, preparing and reviewing all manner of contracts and transactional documents relevant to construction projects, including prime contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, vendor agreements, change orders, and others.
We also represent parties in bid protests, subcontractor substitution issues, and other pre-contract disputes. We are capable of handling agency-level and GAO bid protests, as well as protests before the U.S. District Courts in California.
Litigation
Commercial real estate developers, property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, inspectors, and surveyors all play a significant role in building construction, and all can find themselves exposed to liability for defects in construction when a building or other construction project fails.
Construction defects can arise from a number of instances involving different responsible parties at different phases of the project. Defects may be caused by:
- The use of faulty fill, improperly mixed cement, weak metal, or other substandard building materials
- Defective building practices
- Negligent designs
- Short cuts
- Design professional malpractice
- Siting
- Soil and slope instability
Construction defects can cause a wide variety of injuries and property damage, including building and structural collapses, explosions, foundation failure, electrocution from faulty wiring, or injury from falling objects. However, many of these same injuries can be brought about by other causes, such as extraordinary stress from extreme weather and other natural factors and subsidence, if the structure is overloaded, overcrowded, or used for an improper purpose, or if the structure is poorly or improperly maintained by the property owner or tenant. Being able to construct an effective defense and communicate it persuasively to a judge or jury requires an in-depth familiarity with the construction industry and extensive courtroom experience. Greve, Clifford has both qualifications, having practiced decades of construction law and litigation in central and northern California.
Other Claims
Construction defects are only one source of claims and litigation. We also represent parties in all types of collections and claims for payment on construction projects, such as enforcement of payment bonds and stop notices, foreclosing on mechanic's liens, and Miller Act and Little Miller Act claims for performance by the property owner or payment for labor and materials brought by subcontractors against the prime contractor. When delay claims, acceleration and other schedule-related matters lead to claims for extra compensation, we make sure that our client's rights and interests are fully protected.
Finally, where personal injury or wrongful death has resulted from the use of heavy machinery on-site, our personal injury and heavy equipment litigation practices are ready to prosecute or defend to protect or vindicate the rights of the parties. And when architects, engineers and others are sued for negligent or faulty designs, we specialize in design professional defense and representation as part of our practice in professional malpractice defense. For sound professional advice and representation in any construction law or litigation matter, contact Greve, Clifford, Wengel & Paras, LLP.
