News Releases

Schiff Hardin LLP's Mark C. Friedlander will speak at the 2007 AIA Documents: New Forms, New Issues, New Strategies Meeting Jointly Sponsored by the ABA Forum on the Construction Industry and TIPS FSLC

November 28, 2007

Mark C. Friedlander
Mark C. Friedlander
Mark C. Friedlander, co-leader of Schiff Hardin's Construction Group, will speak at The 2007 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Documents: New Forms, New Issues, New Strategies meeting jointly sponsored by the American Bar Association (ABA) Forum on the Construction Industry and the ABA Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) Fidelity and Surety Law Committee (FSLC). Mr. Friedlander's session is "Starting Over — The Newly Created B101 Owner/Architect Agreement."  The meeting is scheduled for January 31 at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers 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.