Construction
National and regional clients involved in a wide range of construction projects turn to Stites & Harbison for top-flight credentials and practical, real-world experience. Our construction attorneys include former contractors, construction-firm owners, civil and mechanical engineers, and journeymen crafts-people. We understand the day-to-day workings of your business in addition to its legal issues.
From aviation and health care facilities to manufacturing and power plants, and from commercial buildings to highways, bridges and other infrastructure, Stites & Harbison’s Construction Service Group understands the critical legal issues that affect your projects.
We have worked with clients on projects located from coast to coast. We negotiate contracts, assist clients with claim prevention and resolution, and counsel clients on transactions, complex litigation and regulation. We offer many years of experience in mediation and arbitration, both as client advocates and neutrals. Whatever your needs, we have a strong team to represent you, utilizing the broad knowledge and experience of the attorneys throughout our firm. We also understand your concerns about cost effective representation.
Recent Accomplishments:
- U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers released their 2019 ratings for the "Best Law Firms" in America. Stites & Harbison was ranked National Tier 1 for Litigation - Construction. Click here to see the full results.
- Stites & Harbison lawyers are LEED accredited professionals and members of the U.S. Green Building Council. We are here to help you meet the rigorous standards of green building.
- The Construction Lawyers Society of America (CLSA) recognized Stites & Harbison with the 2017 and 2018 CLSA Law Firm Award.
We give back to the industry in many ways. Stites & Harbison has represented the American Institute of Steel Construction, National Steel Bridge Alliance, Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky, and the Associated General Contractors of Kentucky. We are also members of other industry organizations, serving as officers, board members, authors, and keynote speakers. Trade associations, professional societies, and members of the organized national construction bar regularly recruit us to provide articles and educational programs to their members. Our attorneys participated in the preparation of American Institute of Steel Construction Codes, Standards and Specifications, and have consulted with the American Institute of Architects and the Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee on formation of these organizations’ standard construction documents.
Clients, construction trade associations and other industry organizations count on Stites & Harbison for help with a wide range of industry-related areas, including:
- Antitrust issues
- Bidding and procurement
- Corporate governance and membership
- Environmental
- Intellectual property
- Labor, employment, wage & hour and immigration law
- Legislation
- OSHA and safety
- State and federal tax code interpretation and enforcement
Other industry contributions from our Construction Law group include:
- "Chapters 18 & 19: Kentucky Construction Lien and Bond Law," Cassidy R. Rosenthal, Co-Author, Fifty State Construction Lien and Bond Law Book, Third Edition, 2016 Supplement
- "Chapter 6: Discovery by Interrogatories," William Geisen and Jessica A. Hill, Discovery Deskbook for Construction Disputes, Second Edition, ABA Forum on Construction Law, Editors: John M. Cook, Buckner Hinkle, Jr. and Alexander Moseley, 2015
- Kentucky Construction Law, written and edited by the construction attorneys of Stites & Harbison, published by HLK Global Communications, 2015.
- Discovery Deskbook for Construction Law Disputes – Robert M. Connolly is a chapter author, published by ABA Publishing, 2006.
With nationally recognized experience in construction law and hands-on experience in the business, we are uniquely qualified to address the needs of our construction clients.
A partial list of representative transactional and adversarial construction engagements in which the members of the group have been involved is listed below:
- Developed and negotiated design and construction contracts for owner/developer of $1 billion investment in manufacturing facilities in South Carolina
- Participated in the development of term sheets and EPC contracts for $3 billion coal gasification facility in Western Kentucky
- Drafted and negotiated design build contract for fracking sands plant
- Belk’s, Oxford, Miss. (2010)
- Best Buy, Gulfport, Miss. (2012)
- Camden Paces Apartments, Atlanta, Ga. (2013)
- Delta Wing, Opryland, Nashville, Tenn.
- Disney-MGM Studios Water Tower, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
- Federal Express World Headquarters, Memphis, Tenn.
- GlaxoSmithKline, Memphis, Tenn.
- Holder Construction Company: Stites & Harbison's Atlanta offices
- Indiana-American Water Company, Jeffersonville, Ind.
- Lake Eola Condominiums, Orland, Fla.
- Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board, (Blue Grass Airport, Lexington, Ky.)
- Lexington-Fayette Urban County Courts Facilities, Lexington, Ky.
- Lexington-Fayette Urban County Detention Facility, Lexington, Ky.
- Louisville Airport Improvement Program, Louisville, Ky.
- Louisville Slugger Museum, Louisville, Ky.
- Mercer University Center, Macon, Ga.
- National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, Ky.
- National Steel Bridge Alliance, Miss.
- NCNB Tower, Tampa, Fla.
- One Atlantic Center (IBM building), Atlanta, Ga.
Stites & Harbison is the premiere construction law firm in Kentucky and southern Indiana.
Stites & Harbison has always been able to help regardless of the issue and/or complexity.
I have the utmost faith and trust in Stites & Harbison.
The construction law team at Stites & Harbison is outstanding. They have represented our company extremely well for many years. They are knowledgeable, give excellent advice, and they almost always achieve the desired results for our company. I feel like we have received very good value for legal expenses incurred when using the Stites & Harbison construction law team. I recommend them to anyone needing legal advice on construction matters.
Information You Need on the COVID-19 Coronavirus
Stites & Harbison has assembled a Coronavirus Response Team which consists of a cross-disciplinary task force of attorneys and critical staff members to ensure our firm remains “On the Job” for you. Updated 03/31/20
Department of Labor to Employers: You Must Notify Your Employees of New Paid Leave Laws by April 1, 2020
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, effective April 1, 2020, requires certain public employers and private employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide E-FMLA and Emergency Paid Sick Leave to eligible employees. Employers must notify current employees of these benefits by circulating the official Notice of Employee Rights published by the Department of Labor.
COVID-19: Can Construction Continue?
Over the past few hours and days, states and local governments have issued “shelter in place,” “stay at home” and other orders restricting gatherings and non-essential business.
Coronavirus and Force Majeure Provisions In Construction Contracts: May I Be Excused?
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. While we have all experienced the effects the spread of the novel coronavirus has had on our daily lives, the total impact the virus will have is still unclear. As the virus continues to run its course, contractors and owners must begin to address concerns with project delays, liquidated damages clauses, and cost overruns on projects—to name a few.
Steven Henderson Appointed Chair of Stites & Harbison’s Construction Service Group
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that attorney Steven Henderson has been appointed Chair of the firm’s Construction Service Group.
Contracts Being Tested by COVID-19
As the country takes action to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, sporting events, concerts, and business conferences are being cancelled at an astounding rate. Each day that passes since the outbreak brings new cancellations, government containment efforts, and complex legal questions. The initial visible impact in the United States has been predominantly to the hospitality and entertainment industries, with cancellations significantly affecting venues, attendees, hotels, and caterers; however, the impact of the coronavirus is sure to touch contractual agreements across all industries moving forward. How exactly will the coronavirus affect contracts? The answer: it’s complicated.
NLRB Final Rule on Joint Employer Standard
On February 26, 2020, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) issued its final rule on the standard for determining joint-employer status for businesses and employees covered by the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”).
Stites & Harbison welcomes S. Kelly Gilliam
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —Stites & Harbison, PLLC welcomes attorney S. Kelly Gilliam back to the firm’s Louisville, Ky., office. He will rejoin the Construction Service Group and Employment Law Service Group as Counsel.
Dan Douglass and Bill Joseph Recognized in 2020 Georgia Super Lawyers
ATLANTA—Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys Dan Douglass and Bill Joseph were recently honored in the 2020 Georgia Super Lawyers magazine.
Stites & Harbison Promotes Six Attorneys
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC announced that six attorneys have been promoted within the law firm effective January 2020.
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce honors Allyson True Cook with Spirit of Achievement Award
COVINGTON, Ky.—The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has announced that Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Allyson True Cook is the recipient of the seventh annual Debbie Simpson Spirit of Achievement Award.
Stites & Harbison recognized in BTI Client Service A-Team 2020
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—BTI Consulting Group recently selected Stites & Harbison, PLLC as a standout in two key areas: investing in client relationships and client-facing communication in the prestigious BTI Client Service A-Team 2020: Survey of Law Firm Client Service Performance.
Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 45 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2020
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2020 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 42 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 32 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 13 attorneys to the Rising Stars list.
Stites & Harbison Ranked in 46 Practice Areas in the 2020 U.S. News – Best Lawyers Law Firm Survey
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers have released their 2020 “Best Law Firms” rankings. Stites & Harbison, PLLC’s three National Tier 1 rankings include: Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate, and Trademark Law.
Cassidy Rosenthal to be inducted as Fellow of American College of Construction Lawyers
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 31, 2019)—Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Cassidy Rosenthal will be inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers (ACCL) on February 22, 2020, at the Annual Meeting in Tucson, Ariz.
Slow Payment Costs General Contractors and Subcontractors Billions
A new study found slow payments to general contractors and subcontractors cost $64 billion in 2019 – a nearly $25 billion increase from 2018 with general contractors added to the report.
Pipeline Crafts Urge U.S. Supreme Court to Reverse Atlantic Coast Pipeline Decision and to Allow a More Reliable Permitting Process
On October 4, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the 4th Circuit’s rejection of the National Forest Service’s permit authorizing the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) to cross the Appalachian Trail within the George Washington National Forest.
2019 Buckeye Conference
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Anderson Pavilion, 8 East Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Construction attorney Bill Geisen is co-chair of the 2019 Buckeye Regional Conference presented by CFMA - Greater Cincinnati Chapter. Attorney Allison Cook will be a speaker.
Aaron Klein named as an ABA TIPS Now! Fellow
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The American Bar Association (ABA) recently named Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Aaron Klein as a 2019-20 TIPS Now! Fellow.
Best Lawyers Names Six Stites & Harbison Attorneys as "Lawyer of the Year" for 2020
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Best Lawyers in America©, one of the oldest and most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession, has named six attorneys from Stites & Harbison, PLLC as “Lawyer of the Year” for 2020.