News Releases

Schiff Hardin LLP's Mark C. Friedlander will speak at PLI's Drafting and Negotiating Construction Contracts 2008 Program

November 27, 2007

Mark C. Friedlander, co-leader of Schiff Hardin's Construction Group, will speak at the Drafting and Negotiating Construction Contracts 2008 program sponsored by the Practising Law Institute (PLI). Mr. Friedlander's session is "Drafting an Effective Design Agreement Using 2007 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Documents." The meeting is scheduled for February 29 at the PLI New York Center in New York City.

The AIA documents are released only once a decade, a major event in the construction industry. These documents are the primary forms used in residential and commercial construction, and the changes contain some very controversial decisions of interest not only to lawyers, but to the entire industry, such as removing binding arbitration as the default dispute resolution mechanism.

Mr. Friedlander concentrates his practice in construction law, both transactional and litigation. His clients include virtually all participants in the construction industry. He represents architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, public entities, private owners, developers, interior designers, design-builders, and equipment and material vendors. For these clients, Mr. Friedlander provides services to form and incorporate new businesses, to structure transactions, to draft and negotiate contracts, to resolve and litigate disputes, as well as counseling regarding issues of construction law and related areas, including employment, copyright and public procurement.

He also practices in the fields of commercial litigation and professional liability defense. He has established an important precedent in the federal courts with regard to the recovery of attorney's fees in frivolous claims, and is a leading commentator on the viability of tort claims for professional malpractice seeking recovery of solely economic losses. He defends real estate brokers, accountants, attorneys and insurance brokers in professional malpractice actions, and represents businesses and individuals in commercial litigation.