Bullivant Houser Bailey PC's Construction and Real Estate Development Group is dedicated to helping our clients succeed in every phase of real estate development and construction, from land acquisition through the completion of construction and thereafter. Our goal is the same as our clients': to help deliver an on-time and successful development project. In the event that development or construction bring claims or issues that give rise to litigation, we are available to bring decades of accumulated experience and knowledge as informed litigators who prosecute and defend claims for our clients, from both the developer and contractor perspective.
Our attorneys bring more to our clients than their legal experience. Several of our group members have had some form of direct industry experience or were construction professionals prior to pursuing a legal career. We have experience facing the same challenges as our clients, having spent time in job trailers and partnering as facilitators on projects. Our distinct understanding of this client perspective makes us uniquely equipped to offer effective and practical solutions on any construction-related issue, whether common or complex.
We represent both public and private owners, developers, contractors, sureties, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers. Our construction and development experience includes:
- Assisting owners and developers with land use acquisition, approvals and entitlement processes;
- Counseling owners, contractors, and design professionals on all business matters related to the development of real property and construction;
- Assisting contractors with the structuring of business entities and with corporate and tax issues;
- Assisting clients in the preparation and negotiation of agreements for the development and construction of projects;
- Providing training for client personnel in the use of dispute resolution processes during projects;
- Providing risk assessment services and risk avoidance advice relating to insurance, employment and contracting needs;
- Representing owners, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals in all phases of litigation and arbitration and construction claims and disputes, including resolution of on-site issues;
- Representing sureties on payment and performance bond claims issues including workout agreements
In addition, our group is uniquely qualified to assist clients in all phases of green construction and development, housing two of the first LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited attorneys in the Pacific Northwest region. A third-party certification program developed by the US Green Building Council, LEED is the nationally accepted rating system for sustainable design and construction, focusing on sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
A leader in sustainable policy, Washington State was the first to mandate that all state projects meet LEED Silver requirements. We regularly advise public as well as private and non-profit clients on the common contractual and risk management issues associated with LEED, and how these pitfalls can be avoided. This niche area of expertise provides a distinct and significant advantage to many of our clients. We currently represent a non-profit owner in the midst of a capital campaign for a LEED construction project, and a non-profit organization seeking LEED Silver certification in its restoration of a vintage theatre.