A WTW A&E podcast series focused on risk management for Architects and Engineers. Our host, Dan Buelow, Managing Director of WTW A&E, engages experts across the A&E spectrum on a wide range of critical topics and risk trends impacting design professionals across North America.
- Episode 29: Managing a PL Claim Part II Episode 28: Managing a PL Claim Part I
- Episode 27: Insuring Single Projects Part II
- Episode 26: Insuring Single Projects Part I
- Episode 25: Managing Design Risk in a Hybrid Work Environment
- Episode 24: Why We No Longer Stamp Shop Drawings Part II
- Episode 23: Why We No Longer Stamp Shop Drawings Part I
- Episode 22: Cyber risk alert: Fraudulent funds transfer
- Episode 21: Negotiating Limits of Liability
- Episode 20: Managing Design Contingencies
- Episode 19: Captives: Some questions answered
- Episode 18: Emerging Claim Trends in the Design Profession
- Episode 17: Evolving Technology And The Standard of Care
- Episode 16: Managing Risk With Effective Communication and Documentation - Part II
- Episode 15: Managing Risk With Effective Communication and Documentation - Part I
- Episode 14: Making the go/no-go decision
- Episode 13: Design-Build: A Path Forward
- Episode 12: Assessing Design-Build Risk from an Underwriters' Perspective
- Episode 11: Cyber Attack Response
- Episode 10: CYA with CA (Construction Administration) Part II – The Role of The Design Professional
- Episode 9: CYA with CA (Construction Administration) Part I - The Role of The Design Professional
- Episode 8: Assessing Professional Liability (PL) Risk: An Underwriter's Perspective
- Episode 7: Getting the Most out of your Professional Liability (PL)
- Episode 6: Managing Scope Creep
- Episode 5: Managing Cyber Liability Risk: Part I
- Episode 4: Negotiating Contracts: The Dreaded Indemnity Clause
- Episode 3: Negotiating Contracts: Dealbreakers
- Episode 2: Negotiating Contracts: Deal Makers
- Episode 1: Negotiating Contracts: Critical Basics
ACEC National Podcast
- Emerging A&E Risk and Market Realities: This ACEC National podcast interviews Dan Buelow to discuss emerging risks and claim trends.
- Stop Elevating the Standard of Care in Your Contracts! Join Dan Buelow on this ACEC National podcast on the standard of care and professional liability risks for A&E.
Episode 29:Managing a PL Claim Part II
Dan Buelow continues his discussion on managing professional liability (PL) claims with Anthony Carolei, Director of Risk Management for Professional Liability for Hanover's A&E program. PL claims are taking longer to settle and costing more to resolve. Understanding the process, including working with defense counsel, alternative dispute resolution and important coverage features and obligations in a design firm’s professional liability policy is critical.
About our guest
Anthony Carolei is the Director of Risk Management for Professional Liability for The Hanover Insurance Group. Prior to his promotion to risk management, Anthony was the Senior Claim Manger of Professional Liability. Anthony’s team was responsible for architects and engineers, accountants and miscellaneous professional liability claims. Prior to taking on the role of Senior Claim Manager, Anthony was handling architect and engineers claims for Hanover since 2010. Additionally, Anthony has specialized in the area of architects and engineers for nearly 20 years.
Episode 28:Managing a PL Claim Part I
Dan Buelow talks to Anthony Carolei about what a design firm can expect and should be prepared for when faced with a professional liability (PL) claim against their firm. Anthony, Director of Risk Management for Professional Liability for Hanover's A&E program, has considerable experience in handling complex PL claims and offers some excellent insight and advice on this process.
About our guest
Anthony Carolei is the Director of Risk Management for Professional Liability for The Hanover Insurance Group. Prior to his promotion to risk management, Anthony was the Senior Claim Manger of Professional Liability. Anthony’s team was responsible for architects and engineers, accountants and miscellaneous professional liability claims. Prior to taking on the role of Senior Claim Manager, Anthony was handling architect and engineers claims for Hanover since 2010. Additionally, Anthony has specialized in the area of architects and engineers for nearly 20 years.
Episode 27:Insuring Single Projects Part II
Dan Buelow continues his discussion with Ryan Brennan, Specific Project Professional Indemnity Lead for HDI Global Insurance Company in part II of this two-part series of insuring single projects. In this segment Dan and Ryan review the underwriting process that goes into assessing and pricing a PSPL on large complex projects and discuss the history of this coverage, the constriction of the current PSPL marketplace as well as the future outlook for this coverage.
About our guest
Ryan Brennan is the Specific Project Professional Indemnity Lead at HDI Global Insurance Company, an AM Best A+ rated carrier, part of the Talanx Group based out of Hannover, Germany. Ryan has over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry specializing in Architects & Engineers professional liability, both annual business and projects specific insurance placements, and also has handled contractors professional and environmental liability risks.
Episode 26: Insuring Single Projects Part I
Dan Buelow gets into the weeds with a two-part series on insuring single projects with Ryan Brennan, Specific Project Professional Indemnity Lead for HDI Global Insurance Company. In part I, the discussion includes an overview of specific job excess (SJX) versus project specific insurance (PSPL). Dan and Ryan review the features and benefits of a PSPL from both the design professional’s and owner’s perspective and why this coverage is an important consideration for certain large project types.
About our guest
Ryan Brennan is the Specific Project Professional Indemnity Lead at HDI Global Insurance Company, an AM Best A+ rated carrier, part of the Talanx Group based out of Hannover, Germany. Ryan has over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry specializing in Architects & Engineers professional liability, both annual business and projects specific insurance placements, and also has handled contractors professional and environmental liability risks.
Episode 25: Managing Design Risk in a Hybrid Work Environment
Dan Buelow talks to Clark Davis, Partner and Principal Consultant with Cameron MacAllister, respected advisors to architecture and engineering firms. Clark and his group were recently commissioned by WTW A&E to conduct an industry wide survey of design firms across the United States about the impacts of remote/hybrid work on design and technical quality in design practice. Dan and Clark review the results of this nationwide survey from the input of over 200 design firms. The white paper on this study can be found here.
About our guest
Clark Davis, FAIA, LEED AP, is a Partner and Principal Consultant with Cameron MacAllister Group, respected advisors to architecture and engineering firms. Clark leads many of Cameron MacAllister Group’s services in practice management, strategy, organizational and leadership development, and firm governance. Clark has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council. Since 2012, Clark has led the Managing Uncertainty research initiative for the AIA, the AIA Large Firm Roundtable, AGC, DBIA, LCI, COAA and other industry groups.
Episode 24: Why We No Longer Stamp Shop Drawings Part II
Dan Buelow continues his discussion with Dale Muhall, Director of Construction Phase Services for LEO A DALY. Part I of this two-part podcast series on shop drawings reviewed Dale’s AIA Best Practices article “Why We No Longer ‘Stamp’ Shop Drawings,” and the misconceptions, risks and errors surrounding basic construction administration procedures. In part II, Dan reviews a series of questions raised by design professionals on this same topic during a recent WTW A&E webinar with Dale.
About our guest
Dale Munhall, AIA, has been National Director of Construction Phase Services at LEO A DALY for the past 28 years. In the first half of his more than four-decade career, he gained unique experience as an architect-as-construction manager, field superintendent and commercial real estate broker, and he served his suburban city part time as the building code official. His articles, presentations and webinars on Project Delivery have been published by the American Institute of Architects (two as AIA ‘Best Practices’), by the Construction Owners Association of America (COAA), and by the Design-Build Institute of America, with whom he co-founded the Nebraska Chapter DBIA and served 17 years on the Steering Committee.
Episode 23: Why We No Longer Stamp Shop Drawings Part I
Seemingly mundane documents such as shop drawings and requests for information have been around for as long as designers have been designing and builders have been building. But costly misconceptions, risks and errors surrounding these basic construction administration procedures still abound. Dan Buelow talks to Dale Munhall, AIA, National Director of Construction Phase Services at LEO A DALY to discuss his Best Practices article “Why We No Longer ‘Stamp’ Shop Drawings."
About our guest
Dale Munhall, AIA, has been National Director of Construction Phase Services at LEO A DALY for the past 28 years. In the first half of his more than four-decade career, he gained unique experience as an architect-as-construction manager, field superintendent and commercial real estate broker, and he served his suburban city part time as the building code official. His articles, presentations and webinars on Project Delivery have been published by the American Institute of Architects (two as AIA ‘Best Practices’), by the Construction Owners Association of America (COAA), and by the Design-Build Institute of America, with whom he co-founded the Nebraska Chapter DBIA and served 17 years on the Steering Committee.
Episode 22: Cyber risk alert: Fraudulent funds transfer
WTW A&E has seen a recent rise in claims from design professional firms related to fraudulent fund transfers and rogue employees. Dan Buelow talks to two experts concerning this disturbing trend to get some advice on what firms need to do to mitigate this significant and pervasive risk. What is the standard of care of a design firm and what can firms do to mitigate this risk? Tara Albin, Midwest Region Cyber Leader and Liz Caldwell, Cyber Claims Leader help us answer this question and share some claims stories as well as very important lessons learned involving fraudulent fund transfer and rogue employees.
About our guest
Tara Albin is a Midwest Region Cyber Leader at WTW. Using her expertise in cyber liability coverage, Tara educates clients in their risk exposures, and assists in placing the appropriate coverage that specifically fits the client’s needs. Tara specializes in risk transfer solutions including captive solutions and structured program solutions. With her broad knowledge and the utilization of WTW proprietary cyber analytics tools, she provides clients with guidance on appropriate limits and coverage considerations to best protect them in the event of a cyber incident.
Elizabeth “Liz” Caldwell is a Claims Advocate and Western Region Cyber Claims Leader within the FINEX Claims & Legal group at WTW. In this role, Liz advocates for coverage on behalf of her clients in connection with claims reported under Financial and Executive (FINEX) lines of insurance, which include cyber liability, technology errors & omissions, media liability and professional liability.
Episode 21:Negotiating Limits of Liability
Dan Buelow talks to Colleen Palmer, Risk Manager for Beazley, on the topic of negotiating limitation of liability (LOL) clauses in design professional agreements. Some firms have had considerable success in getting LOL clauses in their agreements. Dan and Colleen discuss the benefits of this clause and the arguments and rationale as to why LOL clauses are both important and reasonable to have in every professional agreement. We review some sample wording and tips on negotiating this important clause – and compare and contrast the benefits of an LOL compared to that of a design contingency and waiver of consequential damage provisions.
About our guest
Colleen Palmer is an A&E Risk Manager for Beazley, joining in 2007. Before joining Beazley, Colleen was a practicing attorney in Boston, MA where she focused on assisting architects and engineers. She specialized in providing risk management services to design professionals on a nationwide basis.
Episode 20: Managing Design Contingencies
Dan Buelow talks to Sue Yoakum, from Yoakum Law LLC, about the importance of establishing design contingencies. A design contingency helps establish expectations that architects and engineers’ drawings and specifications will not be perfect. Whenever there is a claim against a design professional on a project, there is often the question if there has been a breach of the design professional’s standard of care. When do you cross from non-negligent errors and omissions (not a breach of standard of care) to errors and omission that arise to a breach of the standard of care? Sue discusses this and how a design contingency can mitigate claims and the benefits to the project owner of having their project come in on budget and schedule – by setting aside funds for issues that can and should be expected on a custom design project. Sue also shares some suggested contract wording and reviews some important considerations when it comes to negotiating a reasonable percentage of the Cost of the Work to be used as a design contingency.
About our guest
Sue is an attorney and a licensed architect with approximately 30 years of domestic and international experience in design and construction. She focuses her practice assisting design professionals by providing claims and risk management assistance, contract reviews and other related legal services. Sue frequently presents risk management seminars and has spoken at several national conferences. Yoakum Law’s clients are typically architectural and engineering firms that needs assistance with contracts and risk management.
Episode 19: Captives: Some questions answered
Dan Buelow talks to Charlie Woodman, Senior Director of Risk Finance & Analytics for WTW Construction, about Captives as an alternative risk transfer solution for design professionals. Whenever the property and casualty (P&C) market constricts and pricing for insurance products increase, more businesses will want to learn more about what options they might have to reduce their insurance costs. What is a captive exactly and what are the pros and cons of a captive compared to your traditional commercial insurance? Is a captive a viable option for your firm and what are the criteria a firm must consider? What is a single or pure captive versus a group captive? What exposures and lines of coverage might you include in a captive? In this podcast, Dan and Charlie will review all these questions and more to help clarify some of the mystery and confusion around captives.
About our guest
Charlie Woodman leads Risk Finance & Analytics for WTW North America Construction. The team specializes in captive insurance companies, advanced risk financing, and quantitative analysis for the firm’s engineering, construction, property developer and related industry clients.
Episode 18: Emerging Claim Trends in the Design Profession
Dan Buelow talks to Mark Blankenship, Director of Risk Management for WTW A&E, about the results of a recent WTW A&E industry survey of Senior Claim Managers from 12 leading A&E professional liability insurance carriers on emerging risk and claim trends in the design profession. Dan and Mark discuss the causes for the rise in severity claims against design firms, the inherent risks associated with specific project types and disciplines - and the emerging risks that are most concerning to the panel of claim experts that participated in this survey. In addition to a review of the results to a number of specific questions from this survey, Dan and Mark offer important advice and insights on what firms should be considering in order to reduce their exposures to costly claims and client disputes.
About our guest
Mark Blankenship is the Director of Risk Management for WTW A&E, and uses uses his 25 years of experience in A&E professional liability to provide risk management advice and educational presentations to architectural, engineering and construction clients. In addition, he provides contract review guidance and claims advocacy support.
Episode 17: Evolving Technology And The Standard of Care
Dan Buelow talks to David Ericksen from the law firm Collins + Collins on the risks and the business challenges design firms face with evolving technology. This podcast reviews the risks associated evolving digital technology, new products and sustainability. There is no profession that has been impacted more than the design profession when it comes to technology and the incorporation of new technology into a consultant’s services and the design process. How does this impact the design firm’s standard of care – and what should the design professional consider when it comes to establishing and managing client expectations? Dave addresses all this and offers important advice on how firms can mitigate unreasonable performance based exposures associated with evolving technology, sustainability and even climate change - and the importance of securing informed consent from their clients.
About our guest
David Ericksen is an attorney at Collins + Collins LLP and a trusted resource and advocate to the professional service community, passionately committed to collaboration in their long-term strategic success. He has repeatedly and successfully represented design professionals in jury trial, bench trial, single arbitrator arbitration, and panel arbitration as well as mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution in state and federal courts. He has built on that experience of troubled projects and contracts and failed communications to become a trusted resource and counselor on the risk management strategies to avoid such disputes through strategic planning and management.
Episode 16: Managing Risk With Effective Communication and Documentation - Part II
In part II of our podcast on Communication and Documentation, Dan continues his discussion with Frank Musica, Risk Management Consultant for Victor. Dan picks up where he left off on reviewing how important words are when it comes to all the forms of documentation and phases of a project the risks associated with evolving technology. This discussion focuses on the significant risks associated with emails and important advice on document retention. This podcast will offer practical measures the design firm can take to implement effective documentations and communication practices to reduce your risk to costly claims and client disputes.
About our guest
Frank Musica joined the staff of Victor Insurance Managers, Inc. in 1991 to assist the program in identifying the transformations occurring in professional practice, the liability exposures created by contractual language, legislation, regulations and court rulings, and management processes and procedures to reduce the risk profiles of firms. In addition to working directly with policyholders, Frank crafts risk management information, blog posts, and practice management programs for both the Victor design professionals insurance programs and contractors design liability insurance programs with CNA.
Episode 15: Managing Risk With Effective Communication and Documentation - Part I
Dan Buelow talks to Frank Musica, Risk Management Consultant for Victor, in a two part series on Communication and Documentation. In part one of this series the focus is on the standard of care and the importance of documentation and effective communications in order to manage professional liability risk. Dan and Frank talk about why most claims against A&E firms are rooted in poor communications and documentation practices. This discussion includes a review of the fundamental tension between risk management and marketing, advice on the documentation and communication process in the contract formation and CA phases - and managing client expectations.
About our guest
Frank Musica joined the staff of Victor Insurance Managers, Inc. in 1991 to assist the program in identifying the transformations occurring in professional practice, the liability exposures created by contractual language, legislation, regulations and court rulings, and management processes and procedures to reduce the risk profiles of firms. In addition to working directly with policyholders, Frank crafts risk management information, blog posts, and practice management programs for both the Victor design professionals insurance programs and contractors design liability insurance programs with CNA.
Episode 14:Making the go/no-go decision
Every firm must ultimately decide if a prospective project is a “go” or a “no-go” and if they should commit valuable time and resources. Dan Buelow talks to Andy Mendelson, FAIA, Chief Risk Management Officer for Berkley DP, about the critical “Go No-Go” considerations every design firm should include when assessing a new project opportunity including project team capabilities, financial impact, contracts and client selection.
About our guest
Andy Mendelson is a design industry leader in risk management and contracts. Andy joined Berkley DP in July 2013 after a 35-year career as a licensed architect and firm principal. Andy directs Berkley Design Professional’s efforts to provide design professionals with leading-edge, risk and practice management resources, tools and training.
Episode 13:Design-Build: A Path Forward
In part two of our discussion on Design-Build (DB), Dan and David Hatem, a Partner at Donovan Hatem LLP, discuss David’s recent white paper release on addressing the inherent and unsustainable risks associated with DB infrastructure projects. Dan and David focus on the need for a more “progressive” approach to Design-Build along with the critical issues identified in David’s whitepaper including improving procurement and contractual practices.
About our guests
David Hatem is a partner in the Boston-based law firm, Donovan Hatem LLP. Nationally recognized for his expertise in representing engineers, architects and construction management professionals, he leads the firm’s Professional Practices Group which serves design and construction professionals. He is regularly called upon by this country’s leading architect-engineering firms to provide risk management strategies and solutions, especially on major subsurface projects.
Episode 12:Assessing Design-Build Risk from an Underwriters' Perspective
Design-Build (DB) has become a real concern among professional liability insurance underwriters as we’ve seen an adverse development in claim trends – especially on infrastructure projects. In this episode, Dan and Val Onderka, VP of Underwriting for Ironshore’s Designers & Contractors Professional Liability (DCPL) team, discuss some of the reasons behind these claim trends – including what an underwriter is looking for when assessing and selecting a given design build project. Val and Dan also discuss “progressive design build” and changes that all parties should consider in order to reduce their exposures to claims and costly disputes.
About our guest
Valerie Onderka leads Ironshore’s Designers & Contractors Professional Liability (DCPL) team, which focuses on providing underwriting and risk management services to architects, engineers and design-build contractors throughout the construction industry. Over the span of her 43-year career in professional liability insurance, Valerie has specialized in the Designers and Contractors market segment, and has an extensive background serving brokers and insureds alike.
Episode 11:Cyber Attack Response
Every design professional firm must be prepared to respond to a cyber-attack against their business. In this podcast episode Dan and guests Alex Ricardo of Beazley and Carter Boardman from the Colorado based engineering firm Merrick, discuss developing an Incident Response Plan and specific measures a firm's key stakeholders can, and should, take to mitigate costly interruptions to their business.
About our guests
Carter Boardman currently serves as Vice President for Contracts & Risk Management for Merrick & Company. Carter drafts client contracts and reviews and comments on client generated contracts, interfaces directly with brokers and major underwriters on company insurance related requirements and issues, and works closely with outside support services for legal, bonds and special insurance requirements.
Alex Ricardo serves Beazley’s Cyber & Executive Risk Focus Group with managing business development initiatives for the Beazley Breach Response Program. Alex is based in New York City and provides support and guidance to Beazley insured-base from both a Breach Preparedness and Breach Response prospective. Alex’s background in risk management as well as the software industry combined with his extensive knowledge of security threats and mitigation best practices assures his clients of a comprehensive problem-solving approach.
Episode 10:CYA with CA (Construction Administration) Part II – The Role of The Design Professional
In this episode, Dan and guest Bob Stanton, VP of Claims for WTW A&E, continue the conversation from our previous episode, CYA with CA Part I, where Dan and Jeff Coleman discussed on the role of the consultant on the job site and the standard of care when providing CA services. This episode will focus on the review of critical issues to consider when it comes to CA services and contract formation, scope of services and documentation.
About our guest
Bob is a Client Advocate and Risk Management Specialist for WTW A&E and is responsible for assisting clients in contract review, risk management recommendations and claims advocacy. He has over 30 years of claims experience and for the last 20+ years has specialized in the area of Architect & Engineers professional liability claims and risk management.
Episode 9:CYA with CA (Construction Administration) Part I - The Role of The Design Professional
Job site related claims, including delay and bodily injury claims against design professionals, is a significant risk for every design firm. Understanding the role of the design professional in Construction Administration (CA) is critical when it comes to effectively managing this risk. In this podcast Dan and guest Jeff Coleman discuss the pitfalls and opportunities design firms face when it comes to construction administration – and what every member of a design team visiting site needs to know when it comes to the standard of care.
About our guest
Jeff Coleman, Esq., is a founding partner at Coleman and Erickson LLC where he focuses his practice on construction law, professional liability defense, concrete construction and general business law, including insurance and coverage. Jeff has been a licensed structural engineer since 1977 and a practicing attorney since 1984 and provides clients with a single resource for both legal and risk management issues.
Episode 8:Assessing Professional Liability (PL) Risk: An Underwriter's Perspective
Architects and engineers take on considerable risks which can vary significantly based on project types, disciplines, client types and delivery methods. In this episode, Dan sits down with Mark Blankenship, Senior Underwriter for Liberty International, to discuss the underwriting process and how insurance carriers assess, underwrite and price A&E professional liability risk.
About our guest
Mark Blankenship is a Senior Underwriter for Liberty International, with over 25 years experience specializing in architects and engineers professional liability. Mark began his career as a claim supervisor where he learned to evaluate exposures and develop defense strategies with the help of some of the best specialist defense attorneys in the country.
Episode 7:Getting the Most out of your Professional Liability (PL)
Professional liability (PL) is by far the greatest exposure – and P&C insurance spend for any design firm. In this episode, Dan has a discussion with Bob Stanton, VP of Claims for WTW A&E, on some important coverage features of an A&E PL policy that every A&E firm should be aware of in order to get the most out of this coverage – and what they bought and paid for.
About our guest
Bob is a Client Advocate and Risk Management Specialist for WTW A&E and is responsible for assisting clients in contract review, risk management recommendations and claims advocacy. He has over 30 years of claims experience and for the last 20+ years has specialized in the area of Architect & Engineers professional liability claims and risk management.
Episode 6:Managing Scope Creep
Every design firm is faced with managing scope creep and the challenges of project management to control resources to meet a certain objective by a specific date within a finite budget. Dan and guest Andy Mendelson from Berkley DP engage in an interactive discussion on how to manage the change process to maintain your client relationships and your firms profitability through the use of some invaluable risk management tips – and effective communication and documentation practices.
About our guest
Andy Mendelson is a design industry leader in risk management and contracts. Andy joined Berkley DP in July 2013 after a 35-year career as a licensed architect and firm principal. Andy directs Berkley Design Professional’s efforts to provide design professionals with leading-edge, risk and practice management resources, tools and training.
Episode 5:Managing Cyber Liability Risk: Part I
We are now in the “hacker era” for cyber liability and design firms are a favorite target. In this episode Dan and guest Alex Ricardo, an expert in cyber liability from Beazley’s Cyber & Executive Risk Focus Group discuss this evolving risk and what A&E firms must be prepared for to mitigate their risk against a cyber attack.
About our guest
Alex Ricardo serves Beazley’s Cyber & Executive Risk Focus Group with managing business development initiatives for the Beazley Breach Response Program. Alex is based in New York City and provides support and guidance to Beazley insured-base from both a Breach Preparedness and Breach Response prospective. Alex’s background in risk management as well as the software industry combined with his extensive knowledge of security threats and mitigation best practices assures his clients of a comprehensive problem-solving approach.
Episode 4:Negotiating Contracts: The Dreaded Indemnity Clause
In this fourth episode on negotiating contracts, we take a deep dive in discussing the dreaded indemnity clause and review what every design firm needs to watch out for – and negotiate - in order to avoid taking on unreasonable and uninsurable risks.
About our guest
Colleen Palmer is an A&E Risk Manager for Beazley, joining in 2007. Before joining Beazley, Colleen was a practicing attorney in Boston, MA where she focused on assisting architects and engineers. She specialized in providing risk management services to design professionals on a nationwide basis.
Episode 3:Negotiating Contracts: Dealbreakers
In this third episode of our four part series on negotiating contracts, we discuss seven specific “Deal Breakers” which are Client-drafted clauses that are so burdensome and onerous the design firm must insist it be deleted from any agreement, or substantially modified, to avoid assuming significant and possibly uninsurable risk.
About our guest
Doug Palandech, a founding shareholder for Foran and Glennon concentrates his litigation practice on construction, design professional and legal liability, products liability, and first-party property cases. The contours of Illinois construction law have in large measure been shaped by the appellate decisions from the cases Doug has handled at the trial level.
Episode 2:Negotiating Contracts: Deal Makers
In this second podcast of our four part series on negotiating contracts, we discuss seven specific “Deal Makers” which are certain contract clauses that are so important to the protection of your firm that you want them included in each agreement you sign. If your client won't agree to these vital provisions, you may want to seriously consider whether to accept or decline the project.
About our guest
Doug Palandech, a founding shareholder for Foran and Glennon concentrates his litigation practice on construction, design professional and legal liability, products liability, and first-party property cases. The contours of Illinois construction law have in large measure been shaped by the appellate decisions from the cases Doug has handled at the trial level.
Episode 1:Negotiating Contracts: Critical Basics
In this first episode of our four part series on negotiating contracts, we discuss the critical basics of negotiating professional agreements and tips on using contract formation as an important vehicle to establishing client expectations and mitigating a design firm’s risk against costly claims and client disputes.
About our guest
Doug Palandech, a founding shareholder for Foran and Glennon concentrates his litigation practice on construction, design professional and legal liability, products liability, and first-party property cases. The contours of Illinois construction law have in large measure been shaped by the appellate decisions from the cases Doug has handled at the trial level.
