We secured an arbitration award in excess of $5 million on behalf of a general contractor. The arbitration award was for a breach of contract/cumulative impact claim against the developer of a high end waterfront residential condominium project. The award exceeded the Guaranteed Maximum Price, as adjusted by change order.

Defended a residential owner against a claim brought by the general contractor following a renovation project of a historic, high-end residence.  Represented the owner though a multi-week arbitration involving over 200 change order requests and an audit of the costs incurred for the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract.

John Bulman has been appointed sole arbitrator in an AAA large complex case dispute relating to the engineering, design, procurement and construction of a power plant in the Eastern U.S.

John Bulman is serving as an arbitrator in a matter relating to the construction of a natural gas-fueled combined-cycle generating facility in New England.

John Bulman has been appointed the sole arbitrator in a large complex construction dispute involving a multi-unit residential condominium development project located in suburban Boston.

Represented a construction manager seeking payment for labor and materials (plus profit) provided to a luxury condominium developer, prior to termination. Required to prove that the termination was for convenience and then to prove damages, which was challenging due to the manner in which financial records were maintained.  The developer offered nothing to settle until first day of hearings, when he offered slightly less than $1 million.  Ultimately an award was issued providing for payment to construction manager of slightly more than $5 million, representing almost a 100% recovery plus interest.

Represented the developer of limited service hotel in dispute with construction manager, leading to construction manager’s termination of the contract, arguing material breaches by the developer. The matter went through mediation and then arbitration with award being issued in favor of developer for cover. The proceeding also involved peripheral disputes with various trades who had liens on the project.

Represented “parts and smarts” subcontractor in dispute with 2d tier subcontractor in construction of major retail shopping mall.  The 2d tier subcontractor claimed $1 million plus in impact damages arising out of project acceleration and also claimed damages owing to alleged latent ambiguity in plans. Won an award finding no liability.

Pierce Atwood has been working with Brown University to develop construction contracts for a number of capital projects using the innovative Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) approach to project delivery.  Among the projects Brown has successfully completed using IPD is the new, $90 million School of Engineering building and renovations project.  Brown is currently delivering several projects using IPD, including the much anticipated Performing Arts Center project. Brown University has taken a leading position in the New England region in recognizing the potential benefits of, and implementing, this new and exciting approach to project delivery.

Served as chair of arbitration panel addressing claims by public owner against Design Builder of waste-to-energy generating equipment.  Following issuance of award against Design Builder, at the request of the Design Builder, successfully mediated a resolution in a follow-up dispute with its vendors/subcontractors and consultants.

Pierce Atwood attorneys represent developers of hotel projects.  Our construction attorneys drafted and negotiated contracts with the architects using the AIA B101-2017 forms, with contractors using the AIA A101-2017 / A201-2017 forms, and with construction managers using AIA A133-2009 forms.  

Negotiated a construction management contract on behalf of an owner of an animal hospital in Rhode Island.  Used the AIA A133-2009 contract document and customized the contract to provide that the construction manager was performing design build services for the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) scope of work.  Post-completion, assisted the owner in remedial work required due to performance issues with the mechanical systems.

We negotiated the contract between our client Brown University and Ecosystem, the contractor, for a Thermal Efficiency Project that Brown is undertaking. The plan involves converting the university’s existing high-temperature hot water system to modern, highly efficient, lower-temperature hot water.

Represented the owner of a new, state-of-the-art athletic facility in Massachusetts in the negotiation of a design-build contract.  Used the AIA A141-2014 Design Build Contract form as the basis of the agreement.  Assisted the client in the negotiation and execution of the Design-Build Amendment for the Project.

Represented a developer in Massachusetts who entered into a contract with a city to construct public and private improvements as part of a downtown revitalization project.  Utilized the ConsensusDocs 410 contract form for the contract between the developer and the city.  Used a multi-GMP Amendment process for the varying phases of the public and private work.  Drafted and negotiated the construction management agreement with the contractor using ConsensusDocs 500 form.  The project involved the use of modular construction building for the apartment complex.

Pierce Atwood successfully obtained the discharge of a mechanic’s lien asserted by a contractor on the basis that the retainage sought in the mechanic’s lien was performed beyond the statutory limitation period. 

John Bulman is currently sitting on a Dispute Review Board for a nuclear power plant construction project. Industry professionals are chosen to sit on Dispute Review Boards by the interested parties involved with a construction project for their experience, their independence, their commitment to the project, and their training as mediators and arbitrators. 

Pierce Atwood represented a developer in the negotiation of an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for a solar project.  Assisted with the drafting of negotiated performance liquidated damages and compensation limitations if the performance criteria is not achieved.

In a matter recognized by Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly as one of the most important opinions of 2012, we obtained a favorable order for a general contractor seeking to enforce an Ohio arbitration clause. The matter was of particular importance because it was the first time a court concluded that the Federal Arbitration Act preempted a Rhode Island statute that prohibits out-of-state arbitration in certain construction matters.

Obtained a favorable settlement for an owner of a spiritual retreat facility against its contractor and design professionals through a seven-party mediation following an incident that involved a burst sprinkler pipe, substantial property damage, and discovery of pervasive latent construction defects. Before the mediation, Pierce Atwood worked closely with the owner and the owner’s representatives to review the defective conditions and press for performance of the remedial work by the construction and design professionals.  Multiple demands on the contractor’s performance bond had to be made to ensure performance of the corrective and incomplete work.  Once the work was completed, Pierce Atwood represented the owner in the multi-party mediation that dealt with challenging issues involving construction defects with the fire protection system, reimbursement for additional costs due to the delayed project, complex insurance coverage issues (including with the owner’s property insurer), contract terms (waiver of subrogation, waiver of consequential damages), continuing warranty obligations, and the scope and finality of the release. At the end of the mediation process, the owner was paid for costs it incurred during the delayed project and it paid nothing against the claims submitted by its contractor and design professionals.