Construction & Projects

Shipley Snell is often called upon to resolve construction disputes or help our clients avoid them. Our lawyers are adept at presenting, defending, negotiating, arbitrating, mediating, and trying complex construction claims and disputes.

In bringing disputes to effective resolution, Shipley Snell’s construction practice draws upon our deep industry knowledge, particularly related to such industries and issues as:

  • Energy

  • Refining

  • Pipelines

  • Power production

  • Petrochemicals

  • Infrastructure

  • Re-engineered buildings

  • Healthcare

  • Environmental

  • Project finance

We have the skill set, knowledge, and resources to handle complex contractual claims, warranty issues, performance disputes, cost overruns, delay claims, acceleration claims, and the many other challenging issues that arise in today’s large construction projects.

Shipley Snell lawyers have litigated, arbitrated, and resolved construction disputes in state and federal courts across the United States, as well as in numerous arbitral institutions worldwide.

Our representation includes a diverse group of construction-related clients, including:

  • Owners and lenders

  • General contractors and subcontractors

  • Third-party investors

  • Architects and design teams

  • Engineers

  • Construction companies

  • Developers and suppliers

  • Healthcare facilities

  • Pipeline and offshore platform companies

  • Manufacturing plants

  • Material and equipment suppliers

Representative Engagements

·       Represented a Finnish contractor in an ICC arbitration over the construction of a power plant in Guatemala where the plant owner withheld payments, and sought additional damages, based on alleged incomplete and defective work by the contractor. Through arbitration, and subsequent confirmation in the United States District Court and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Shipley Snell’s client made a significant recovery.

·       Represented major oil company in complex dispute with contractor involving collapse of offshore oil platform.

·       Represented a private equity firm specializing in buyout investments in the energy sector in successfully resolving a series of disputes against an EPC contractor regarding the redevelopment of electric generation facilities in south Texas.

·       Represented the Canadian subsidiary of one of the largest manufacturers and marketers of custom metal building systems in multiple complex construction disputes in Canada, Illinois, and U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

·       Represented an international joint venture operator of a refinery in multiple ICDR “baseball” arbitrations involving general contractors and subcontractors concerning a turbo expander project.

·       Represented a European energy contractor in multiple ICC arbitrations over the construction of power plants in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.

·       Represented a leading metal building supply company in multi-party construction litigation and arbitration.

·       Represented developer of Texas coastal lands in claims against other potential interest holders.

·       Defended a Texas-based ranch and landowner in a week-long trial and received a jury verdict of “no negligence” in a premises liability case.

·       Represented a global asset management firm in resolving prior to litigation multiple construction defeat claims against the original developer of a mixed-use facility.