Construction

Semmes’ attorneys have been involved for many years in a wide range of matters arising from construction and procurement contracts in the Mid-Atlantic region. We have represented private and public owners, developers, architects, engineers, insurers, surety companies, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers in business matters, litigation, arbitration and mediations related to construction and procurement contracts. We have also served as arbitrators resolving construction disputes and as mediators assisting in the settlement of such matters. The result is that our lawyers are able to bring a broad perspective to bear on issues presented to them.

The Firm’s practice on behalf of the construction industry and design professionals has included cases in state and federal trial courts throughout the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia, before the appellate courts of both jurisdictions and before the Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals.

The lawyers in the Construction practice area have made extensive use of their litigation experience to advise the Firm’s clients on litigation avoidance techniques in contract drafting and administration. That expertise has been provided to a variety of clients including a major local tourist attraction in connection with the design and construction contracts of a $20,000,000 facility, and a local teaching hospital in drafting form construction and procurement contracts and general conditions for capital projects, architectural firms and specialty subcontractors in connection with their standard form contracts, proposals, and the like.

Mechanics’ Liens and Miller Act Claims

Semmes’ attorneys, in the area of Construction, have regularly represented clients in presenting and defending against Mechanics’ Lien, Little Miller Act and Miller Act claims in the courts of Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. This practice has required these attorneys to maintain familiarity with the statutes in each of those jurisdictions, and has involved them in the representation of owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, sureties and design engineers.