Construction Litigation Building Cases

Represented the MassTA (later MassDOT) on the $14.6 billion “Big Dig,” the largest construction project in North America. Resolved over $200 million in claims — saving Massachusetts taxpayers millions of dollars — related to increased utility relocations, differing site conditions, slurry wall obstructions, delays, accelerations, and inefficiencies using DRB proceedings, arbitration, and litigation.

Represented the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) for 11 years on the $3.5 billion Boston Harbor Project, which involved over 100 separate design and construction contracts, and, during the peak of construction, was the largest public works project in the United States. The project included a 9.5 mile, 26-foot diameter effluent outfall tunnel and a 5 mile, 18-foot diameter inter-island tunnel, both TBM-mined and concrete lined. As a fully integrated member of MWRA’s project management team, we worked directly with the MWRA’s legal and technical staff on a day-to-day basis to help manage the program — from contract drafting and procurement to implementing controls and systems designed to avoid problems and efficiently resolve those problems that could not be avoided, including over $270 million in claims. Counseled MWRA on tunnel-related claims in three extensive DRB proceedings, and participated in structured negotiations with the contractor to resolve claims prior to and after the DRB process. Also represented MWRA in litigation in the Superior Courts and the Appellate Courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Represented a European-based EPC contractor in an ICC arbitration concerning disputes on a $2+ billion industrial facility in South America that involved delays and labor disruptions, with claims amounting to more than $300 million. Also settled separate ICC arbitration matters arising out of the same project with the major subcontractors.

Represented large EPC contractor on four new U.S. nuclear construction projects in claims exceeding $1.5 billion USD, currently settling $350+ million USD claims. Handled four lawsuits pending in the U.S. District Courts for the District of Columbia and the Southern District of Georgia — the first nuclear construction in 30 years — with each project worth $9 billion in a seven-year undertaking. Also assisted with nuclear projects of massive in size and complexity in China, Korea and Eastern Europe.

Acted as arbitration counsel for EPC contractor in 50-day international arbitration (Helsinki, Finland) worth approximately 20,000,000 euros with subcontractor arising out of the design and construction of two peat fired electrical power plants located in Ireland. Successfully defeated the petitioner’s entire claim and prevailed on our client’s 7,000,000 euro counterclaim. 

Successfully represented EPC contractor in a six-week international arbitration (London, England) worth approximately 100,000,000 euros with owner regarding delay and extra work claims involving two power plants located in former Soviet Union.

Represented the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) on its $2.2 billion Deep Tunnel and Pollution Abatement Program, which involved the construction of several deep shafts and a cross-town tunnel below the City of Milwaukee. Representation included litigation and subsequent mediation settlement in Wisconsin state court involving contractor claims for delay, inefficiency, defective design, and differing site conditions. Also led a team of industry professionals in the investigation of a $100+ million cost overrun on a tunnel construction contract, which led to claim prosecution — and subsequent mediation settlement and substantial payment — for MMSD in federal court against the tunnel’s program manager and design engineer for damages related to inadequate preparation of the plans and specifications.

Represented the Cobb County Georgia Water System on tunnel projects involving deep rock tunnels and related wastewater facilities construction, including drop shafts and pumping stations in Cobb County, Georgia.

Successfully settled construction claims for Siemens Transportation through structured negotiation against the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority for $130 million in delays and interferences as part of the $2 billion Tren Urbano mass transit system in metropolitan San Juan, Puerto Rico, a Federal Transit Administration "demonstration" project. Also defended Siemens in ICDR arbitration proceedings on more than $80 million in claims asserted by Siemens’s civil subcontractor.

Won unprecedented breach of contract verdict before the U.S. Civilian Board of Contract Appeals for joint-venture contractor Kiewit-Turner in the approximately $1 billion VA Denver Replacement Medical Center Facility construction dispute with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The verdict allowed Kiewit to stop work as a matter of law on a federal government construction contract in the midst of construction.

Advised public owner, Narragansett Bay Commission, — under court order to reduce bay overflows — on 6-mile, 24-foot diameter CSO tunnel and related facilities along Narragansett Bay on risk allocation measures (drafted contract general conditions, DSC provision, DRB provisions, etc.), and assisted with construction disputes and problems as they arose.

Successfully resolved and avoided trial for the Massachusetts Port Authority against contractor-initiated claims of inefficiencies due to resequencing and delays during the Boston Logan International Airport’s $100 million elevated roadways project through structured negotiations, mediation, and parallel federal court litigation.

Successfully resolved construction dispute in multiday Board of Contract Appeals administered mediation for design-builder regarding outstanding issues with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), its subcontractor U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other key subcontractors that occurred during and after the completion of BIA’s new $40 million school facility in Fort Wingate, New Mexico.

Acted as counsel for large, integrated design-build contractor on a major, ongoing highway improvement project in the State of Texas. Dealt with unanticipated issues, including differing site conditions, undisclosed utilities and overdue third-party design that caused delays, disruptions, and overall inefficiencies that contributed to $75+ million in additional costs and claims. Sought commercial resolution with the project team and stakeholder executives prior to embarking on a more formal disputes resolution process.