Recent Projects Have Included:

• INTERNATIONAL DESIGN SERVICES.

I was recently retained to assist an ENR 100 architectural firm in connection with projects in Korea, Dubai, China, and Vietnam, and to assist another major architecture / engineering firm with a major government project in the Mideast.

• UTILITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

I've been retained to assist in the drafting of construction and procurement contracts for a $40 million power plant to be built on a fast-track basis.

• INTERNATIONAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES -- CHINA.

China continues to be a sizzling market for US design and construction firms. In recent months I've been retained by several US architectural firms to assist with their Chinese expansion plans, and by a US manufacturer to assist with the construction of a factory in China. The latter project will be developed through a Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture. On April 17, 2004 I spoke on the topic of "International Joint Ventures" at the Shandong Engineering Contractors’ International Roundtable in Qingdao, China.

• RECENT ASSIGNMENTS.

In recent weeks I've been retained to represent a subcontractor in a major condominium arbitration; a real estate developer in connection with a large property damage claim; a large townhome association in connection with numerous alleged defects; a storm cleanup contractor in a dispute relating to major storm damage in a Midwestern city; and several Asian investors on a major project in the US.

• TOP SKYSCRAPER AWARD.

Kingdom Centre, Riyadh, received Skyscraper.com's Emporis Gold Award as Best New Skyscraper of the year. I had the honor of working extensively with the design and construction team for this stunning project.

• CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION.

In recent weeks I've been retained to represent a Canadian equipment supplier in litigation over a waste water treatment facility, and an electrical subcontractor in a changed conditions claim on a prison project.

• KOREAN REAL ESTATE LITIGATION.

I've been retained to assist and consult in connection with litigation over a major development project in Korea.

• WINDOW ISSUES.

In May, 2002 I was retained by the owner of a mid-rise office building to assist it in connection with window leaks and other construction problems. The case settled shortly before trial with an agreement by the contractor to perform substantial remedial work and to pay the owner a six-figure settlement.

• KOREAN A/E SERVICES.

In February, 2002 I was retained by a US-based design firm to advise it in connection with a planned expansion into Korea.

• COLLECTIONS/LIENS.

In November, 2001 I was retained by major supplier of electrical components to assist it in connection with the collapse of the parent company of one of its major customers. I was able to collect 100 percent of the balance owed.

• INTERNATIONAL MILITARY CONTRACT CLAIM.

In October, 2001 I was retained by an Asian-based contractor to represent it in connection with a concession contract dispute on a US military base in Asia. The matter was resolved successfully.

• MOLD LITIGATION.

Over the past seven years, I have been involved in numerous "moldy building" cases including a mold-infested, 250-room hospital; a moldy factory; and a number of mold-contaminated homes. In late June, 2001 I successfully completed a jury trial in litigation against a manufacturer of structural insulated panels. The verdict was in our favor on all claims submitted, and included findings of fraud, negligence, breach of contract, and breach of warranty. The case recently settled during mediation. Settlements recovered to date in mold litigation matters exceed $2 million.

• INTERNATIONAL DESIGN SERVICES.

I was recently retained to assist a California-based ENR Top 50 architectural firm in its international expansion plans. Current plans include several countries in Asia and Europe.

• INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE.

I was recently retained as outside general counsel for international matters for a major Korean property management and real estate consulting firm.

• ASIAN REAL ESTATE FUND.

I have been retained to provide advice and assistance to the promoters of a first-of-its-kind real estate investment fund in an Asian country. The total amount invested by the fund, which has already been fully subscribed, may exceed $150 million.

• CONSTRUCTION COLLECTION SERVICES.

Given the current state of the economy I have been particulary busy recently assisiting clients in attempting to collect on contract balances due. During 2003 I successfully collected on more than $1 million in mechanics' liens.

• RECENT LECTURES.

On February 22, 2007 I spoke at a Lorman seminar discussing the AIA Contracts. On October 18, 2006 I spoke at an NBI seminar on Managing Complex Construction Law Issues. On January 30, 2006 I spoke at a National Business Institute seminar on "Construction Contracting and Lien Enforcement." On October 20, 2005 I spoke about "Legal Aspects of Real Estate Development in China" at a seminar sponsored by the University of Minnesota China Center's China Business Colloquium. On December 15, 2004 I spoke at a Lorman seminar discussing Construction Issues. On August 10, 2004 I spoke at the National Business Institute seminar, "Minnesota Construction Law: What Do You Do When...?". On April 17, 2004 I spoke on the topic of "International Joint Ventures" at the Shandong Engineering Contractors’ International Roundtable in Qingdao, China. In June, 2003, along with Bruce Cohen, Scott Lord, and Jonathan Golding from Cohen & Lord, a P.C., I again spoke at the Lorman seminar, "California Law for Design Professionals," in Pasadena, California. On April 30, 2003 I spoke at Lorman's "Architect-Engineer Liability Under Minnesota Law" seminar.On February 11, 2003 I again spoke at the National Business Institute's "Advanced Construction Law" seminar and  On January 22, 2003 I spoke at the MSPE "City of Lakes" Chapter Meeting on the topic, "Am I Legally Responsible for This?" On December 17, 2002 I spoke again at Lorman's seminar, "How to be Part of the Solution, Not the Problem." On November 15, 2002 I was part of a panel discussion regarding A/E liability issues at the Minnesota AIA convention. On April 9, 2002 I spoke at the Engineers' Society of Saint Paul's monthly meeting on the topic of "Construction Claims and Disputes -- Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation". On August 8, 2001 I presented an NBI seminar on mechanics' liens in St. Cloud, MN together with Jim Sander, Esq. On May 2, 2001 I spoke at the Lorman Education seminar, "Construction Claims Under Minnesota Law" in St. Cloud, Minnesota. On March 16, 2001 I spoke at a lunchtime seminar sponsored by the MSBA Construction Law Section on the topic of "Unlicensed Practice" by architects and engineers. On August 15, 2000 I spoke at the National Business Institute's seminar, "Minnesota Construction Law: What Do You Do When...?" Copies of some of the papers and Power Point slide shows I presented at these seminars can be viewed in the "Recent Articles" page of this site.

• IN-HOUSE SERVICES.

I was retained in May, 2000 to assist an ENR top 200 A/E firm in reviewing and updating its standard form contracts and developing an in-house training program for the firm's project managers. The seminars continued into 2001.

• INTERNATIONAL DESIGN SERVICES.

I was retained at the end of March to assist a Twin Cities architectural firm in its international expansion plans. Current plans include several countries in Central and South America, as well as Canada.

• CONSTRUCTION DISPUTE MEDIATION.

My mediation practice continues to grow. In February, 2001 I mediated a subcontractor-general dispute on a utility job. In March, 2000 acting as mediator, I helped a government owner, its general contractor, and a subcontractor successfully settle a fairly complex dispute regarding highway pavement in west central Minnesota. In the Fall of 2001 I became a Qualified Neutral (evaluative and adjudicative) under Rule 114, Minnesota Rules of General Practice.

• INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION.

In late 1999 I was retained by a Korean construction and services contractor to file a $1.3 million claim against the U.S. Army for work done on an Army base in Seoul. The case was settled favorably in December, 2000 just before trial.

• INDONESIAN POWER PLANT.

I successfully assited the Australian subsidiary of a US engineering firm in collecting a receivable for work done on an Indonesian co-generation plant.

• CONTRACT REVIEW.

I was recently asked by a major Twin Cities utility to review its "front end" contract documents for possible changes to increase project efficiency.

• HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION.

During 1999 and 2000, I worked with Cohen and Lord, A P.C. in connection with a $60 million construction defects case for a hospital owner in the Los Angeles area. The owner, whom we represented, sued the architect, general contractor, and engineering consultants for damages arising from leaks in the building's windows and patient showers, as well as numerous other design and construction problems. Part of my responsibility was to assist in managing a team of more than 20 consulting and testifying experts.

• INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS.

In recent months I've provided advice relating to projects in Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Israel, Canada, China, India, Macau, Perú, Singapore, Switzerland, Russia, Mexico, the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Korea, Spain, France, and elsewhere. Probably the most interesting contract I've worked on recently was for a Los Angeles - based artist who was recently commissioned to design and fabricate two enormous mosaics for a new cruise ship. The ship is being built in Finland, its owner is based in Norway, the artist's direct client is based in the UK, and fabricator is based in Germany. Figuring out the tax and governing law issues proved to be in interesting challenge!