CONSTRUCTION LAW

Construction law has been the traditional foundation of the firm. We represent owners, general contractors, trade subcontractors, design professionals, and sureties with respect to the multitude of issues that arise in the context of significant commercial and institutional projects, both public and private. We appear before state and federal courts, arbitration panels, and administrative tribunals, including various Boards of Contract Appeals.

We understand that each matter has unique requirements, and we work closely with our clients and with experts such as forensic engineers and accountants to develop a case plan to meet the particular situation. A number of our attorneys are engineers and have worked in the construction industry. The matters on which we advise and represent clients include projects as diverse as large private commercial developments, such as retirement facilities, institutional projects such as museums, schools and hospitals, and public works projects such as roads and bridges.

Our attorneys are members of and have served in leadership rolls in many construction industry trade groups and associations, including Connecticut Building Congress, Connecticut Construction Industries Association, Professional Women in Construction and the Construction Institute. Through these affiliations we have developed a practical understanding of the challenges and issues facing our construction industry clients.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION AND BUSINESS LAW

We advise and represent clients in a variety of business and commercial contexts. We regularly counsel clients regarding business start ups: choice and formation of entity, licensing and other requirements, corporate financing, record keeping, employment issues, leasing issues, and compliance with state and federal laws relating to business entities.

We prepare, review, revise and assist clients with respect to contracts, purchase and sale agreements, warranties, leases, uniform commercial code filings, secured instruments, among other business documents.

Our commercial litigation practice includes financing-related litigation, business tort claims and defenses, employment related litigation on behalf of employers, locating and recovering assets and receivables.

FRANCHISE LAW

Our Franchise and Distribution practice includes representation of franchisees and master franchisees, including development agents and area developers. We represent fast-food and quick-service restaurant franchisees, as well as franchisees in other businesses, including document destruction, tanning, furniture, and insurance. Much of this representation involves dispute resolution, including the prosecution and defense of claims in arbitration and in court.
Disputes we typically handle include compliance issues, royalty payment issues, other breach of contact disputes, inadequate, misleading or fraudulent disclosures, other violations of state or federal law, and terminations. Our clients often participate in negotiation and mediation and we strive to resolve disputes successfully and efficiently.

We regularly assist potential franchisees in the purchase of their franchise and whether they are buying from a franchisee or directly from the franchisor we consult with our clients about Franchise Disclosure Documents and franchise agreements, usually while providing other commercial advice. When our clients wish to sell or transfer a franchise we draft and negotiate letters of intent, purchase and sale agreements and related agreements and work to secure approval from the franchisor. Our franchise practice reaches every aspect of the franchise relationship.

ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

A great deal of decision making and dispute resolution involving construction, franchise, and commercial issues happens outside of the traditional court setting. In our continuing efforts to provide the most cost-effective solutions to legal disputes we seek out opportunities to employ alternate dispute resolution methods such as mediation, limited arbitration of specified factual issues, court-facilitated special matters settlement conferences, and mediation in the context of administrative proceedings. We also regularly represent clients before arbitration panels. We serve as arbitrators and mediators, experience that provides us with unique insights into the alternate dispute resolution process.

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW

Our Labor practice includes practice before administrative tribunals and in state and federal court. Representative matters on which we provide advice and representation include Davis-Bacon Act, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, and Fair Labor Standard Act cases. We represent the interests of management in NLRA matters, particularly in the context of the construction industry. We advise clients with respect to State and Federal Department of Labor audits, government contract compliance issues, MBE/WBE certification issues, among other labor issues.

Our employment law practice includes advice and representation regarding employment manuals and policies, compliance with federal and state equal employment opportunity laws and regulations, worker's compensation issues, employment discrimination claims and defenses, non-compete clauses, employee hiring, discipline, and termination issues, drug and alcohol testing and other workplace safety issues.

REAL ESTATE LAW

Our real estate practice encompasses all aspects of residential and commercial closings as well as litigation implicating property rights, mechanic’s lien and other foreclosures, and issues arising in the context of development projects.

PRODUCT LIABILITY

We advise businesses in connection with product liability matters and provide representation in defense of product liability claims. We defend businesses with respect to claims involving consumer products as well as claims involving products used in conducting the particular business or trade. The Firm’s technical background is particularly well-suited to the defense of product liability claims involving scientific evidence and technical analysis.