CONTACT INFORMATION

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PRACTICE AREAS

INDUSTRIES

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Illinois
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

News

Michael J. Hanahan

Partner

Michael J. Hanahan concentrates his practice in advising architects, engineers, owners and contractors in a variety of both litigation and commercial matters.

His work includes prosecuting and defending various types of construction claims, including:

  • Multimillion-dollar design malpractice/professional liability claims
  • Delay and acceleration claims
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) claims
  • Complex construction dispute claims
  • Personal injury disputes
  • Mechanics liens
  • Economic loss issues

Mr. Hanahan has tried construction-related cases in both state and federal courts and actively defends and prosecutes claims for his clients in arbitrations, mediations and client negotiations.

Mr. Hanahan also lends his skills in the preparation and negotiation of construction and design professional contracts for owners, architects and engineers, contractors and subcontractors. Such work includes:

  • Contracts for design-build projects
  • Master installation agreements
  • Renovations of existing facilities
  • Freestanding projects
  • Landlord/tenant build-outs
  • Low-income and assisted-living facilities

In addition to traditional construction litigation and contractual work, Mr. Hanahan advises design professionals on various copyright and trade secret matters. Such work includes registering architectural copyrights and infringement claims and the protection of trade secrets inherent in the design process.

Outside of his construction practice, Mr. Hanahan has experience in licensing, and prosecuting trademark, service mark and copyright applications in a variety of commercial areas, including:

  • Medical products
  • Industrial products
  • Clothing and textiles
  • Sports equipment
  • Computer programs
  • Toy market
  • Restaurants
  • Literature

Publications

The Construction Contracts Book, (associate editor and author) American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry (October 2004)

"Hitting a Moving Target: How Innovation and Modern Day Fears Impact the Standard of Care for Design Professionals and Contractors" (May 2004)

"Economic Loss Rule Applies to Engineers," Construct! (April 1999)

"The Architectural Copyright: What Can Really Be Protected," CCAIA Focus (July 1992)

"Protecting Patent Rights: An Individual Inventor's Argument Against Laches," Ideas on Intellectual Property Law (August 1992)

"Comparative Negligence Update and Analysis — Pleadings & Discovery' Negligence Update and Analysis," C.B.A. Lecture Series (March 1989)

Speeches and Presentations

"The Business of Being Green"

"Hitting a Moving Target: How Innovation and Modern Day Fears Impact the Standard of Care for Design Professionals and Contractors"

"Advanced Construction Law in Illinois for Project Delivery Methods"

"Contract Clauses, Extras and Changes"

"Defects in Performance"

"Dispute Resolution"

"Claims Against Architects and Engineers — The Standard of Care," Federal Publication

Awards and Honors

Leading Lawyer - Construction, Illinois Leading Lawyers Network
"40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch," Chicago Lawyer and Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
Illinois Super Lawyers, Construction Litigation

Education

Loyola University Chicago School of Law(J.D., 1990)
University of Notre Dame(B.Arch., 1987)

Teaching Appointments

Guest Lecturer, University of Notre Dame School of Architecture

Guest Lecturer, American Society of Interior Designers (national and student chapters)

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
Forum on the Construction Industry
Illinois State Bar Association
Bar Services Committee
Chicago Bar Association
Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys


Civic and Charitable Memberships

New Group of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago