Construction

Construction projects are complex, capital‑intensive, and publicly visible. These factors are compounded by growing demands for infrastructure as well as ever-changing market conditions. In today’s construction environment, project owners and developers need clear, actionable legal advice to inform their decision‑making – on cost, design and development, market shifts, regulations, and more – throughout a project’s lifecycle.

At Smith Gambrell & Russell, we know that successful construction projects depend on more than contracts and schedules. They require clear communication, a comprehensive risk management plan, and solutions that keep projects moving forward under changing conditions.  

We work alongside your stakeholders to ensure your projects succeed from conception through completion, and to safeguard the project’s value when disputes arise. With us in your corner, you’ll be able to plan, design, construct, and close out projects that meet your targets, from deadlines to budgets to your long-term business goals. 

Our Capabilities

Clients look to us for strategic guidance on construction projects. Recognized by Chambers USA as a “go-to” construction practice, we support projects across their full lifecycle, from planning and financing through contract negotiation, procurement, administration, commissioning, dispute resolution, and close-out. Whether you’re constructing a new power facility abroad or a high-rise in the city center, we help you mitigate risk, costs, and scheduling snags while protecting your capital. Our team has the experience and judgment to guide you through both transactional matters and disputes in the United States and abroad.

Our services are comprehensive. We help you satisfy requirements in intricate, multi-jurisdictional projects – from safety and permitting to environmental and licensing. Across the firm, our practice groups work together to offer comprehensive, cost-effective advice on zoning, land use, real estate, bonding, insurance, labor, immigration, tax, and other issues. When disputes arise, our lawyers act decisively – whether in court, arbitration, or negotiation – to resolve issues with minimal disruption.

Our Approach

We believe that construction risk is best managed proactively, beginning early – and that any risk management plan must be tailored to project objectives, delivery methods, and environmental constraints. Our practice is “highly regarded for its skill in drafting and negotiating” (Chambers USA) form and project-specific contracts, which we design to appropriately allocate risk and minimize the likelihood of a dispute. When obstacles appear, we don’t let negotiations or operations stall. We problem-solve around them, devising strategies to shift risk elsewhere and keep the project on track.

Our Credentials

According to client feedback reported by Chambers USA, we are a “strong choice to handle highly technical matters.” Our skill comes from firsthand experience. Many of our lawyers are former engineering and construction professionals, veterans of the world’s top law firms, and in-house counsel with major contractors and engineering companies. This combination of industry background and legal acumen enables us to deliver real-world solutions in support of your most important projects.

What We Do

Construction Disputes
While disagreements are an inevitable part of any construction project, some require involvement from third parties: dispute review boards, mediators, technical experts, arbitrators, or courts. Our team of construction disputes lawyers stands ready to take on any dispute. We frame issues, coordinate expert input, and construct arguments that resonate with adjudicators. But we aren’t just successful advocates. We’re sensitive to your business needs, too, and we focus on controlling costs, limiting disruption, and preserving project resources and relationships wherever possible.