Colorado Court of Appeals Broadens “Residential Property” Definition in Homeowner Protection Act: Implications for Construction Defect Litigation

In a recent development in the Colorado’s legal landscape, the State’s Court of Appeals has further broadened the scope of its definition for “residential property” in relation to the Homeowner Protection Act (HPA). According to a report by Snell & Wilmer, this potentially has considerable implications, particularly for construction defect disputes and litigation. The Colorado…

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ADR Clarity in Focus: Recent Legal Case Spotlights Contract Pitfalls and Importance of Precision

The recently decided legal case has raised serious concerns about the lack of clarity in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) procedures. The focus is particularly on main contract suites that offer standard dispute resolution clauses, but these are frequently amended in practice according to current needs and requirements. It is also notable how this matter was…

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Federal Circuit Decisions Illuminate Claim Construction Boundaries in Patent Disputes

Notably, two recent precedential decisions of the Federal Circuit contribute to the understanding of the contours of claim construction. This information helps to define when intrinsic evidence alone can sufficiently determine claim meaning and when extrinsic evidence becomes a necessity. The examination and development of these two cases shed light on vital issues that will…

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Federal Environmental Regulators Ramp Up Efforts to Curb Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The United States has seen a surge of activity from key federal environmental regulators, notably from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), various federal departments, and the Council on Environmental Quality. Even the Department of Agriculture has grappled with the challenge of managing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions within its remit over agricultural operations and national forests….

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INDOT Implements Progressive Design-Build and CMGC Methods to Improve Infrastructure Project Delivery

On November 9, 2023, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) pioneered the introduction of new delivery platforms for transportation infrastructure projects, successfully registering full attendance at their launch event in Indianapolis. The latest additions to the statutorily authorized pilot programs are Progressive Design-Build (PDB) and Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) methods. These platforms, authorized by Indiana…

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Navigating Trust-Owned Real Estate: Challenges and Strategies for Trustees

As a trustee, managing trust-owned real estate—whether commercial or residential—is fraught with challenges that are influenced by several factors. The location, value, and construction of the property all play a significant role in determining these challenges. The article Trustees and Real Estate: What You Should Know published on JD Supra provides a succinct and detailed…

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Navigating Risk and Dispute Management in Construction Project Lifecycles

In any construction project, risk and dispute management play pivotal roles. As outlined by Ankura, these aspects are not only crucial during crises but should intrinsically be incorporated throughout the lifecycle of a project to safeguard its success. The lifecycle of a construction project generally incorporates five phases, each with its unique challenges and opportunities…

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Utah Court of Appeals Expands Arbitration Possibilities for Third Parties in Contractual Disputes

In a recent development, the Utah Court of Appeals has shown a strong policy favouring arbitration that may permit third parties to enforce arbitration clauses, even without an express direct agreement between the involved entities. This policy has significant implications for several sectors, including the construction industry, characterized by intricate networks of contractual relationships involving…

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GSA Invests $2 Billion in Low-Embodied Carbon Materials for Federal Construction Projects

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) recently revealed a $2 billion investment designed to fund federal construction projects across the United States that will utilize low-embodied carbon (LEC) materials. This noteworthy investment will be distributed against more than 150 construction projects, spanning 39 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. As…

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NGOs Challenge Nationwide Permit Interpretation for Carbon Dioxide Pipelines: Legal Implications and Climate Impact

In an evolving legal situation, a petition lodged by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with the Army Corps of Engineers has raised serious questions about the interpretation of a Nationwide Permit. As covered by Law 360, NGOs are challenging the usage of the permit for the construction of pipelines that would transport carbon dioxide from its generation…

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Scaffold Law in Focus: Examining the Nuances of New York Labor Law § 240 in Construction Injury Cases

In a recent construction-related injury case, a nuanced understanding of Labor Law § 240 was applied by the New York Supreme Court. This case, Arizaga v. Lex Gardens II TP4 Hous. Dev. Fund Co., Inc., revolved around a carpenter falling from a poorly secured scaffold, which highlighted the potential hazards present in the construction industry….

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PwC Australia Sees Exodus Continue as Partners Shift to Boutique Construction Firm

In a continued pattern of departures, two partners have left PwC Australia for a boutique construction firm. This follows the exit of nine other partners since the firm’s tax scandal came to light. With an already tarnished reputation, PwC Australia is undergoing significant changes in its partnership. While the reasons behind these departures remain unclear,…

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Federal Circuit Vacates Infringement Judgment in Actelion v. Mylan, Impacting ANDA Litigation

In an enlightening precedential opinion, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated an infringement judgement against Mylan, a significant decision in the case Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd. v. Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., No. 2022-1889, Fed. Cir. Nov. 6, 2023. In specific, this court judgment engages with Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) litigation, making it particularly…

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Meta, Microsoft Unite with Google in Fight Against AI-Generated Political Ads

Tech giants Meta and Microsoft have initiated their efforts to increase transparency in the realm of political advertising, joining Google in the fight against AI-generated content reported by JD Supra. The definition of this digitally manipulated content covers a broad spectrum, including “social issue, election, or political” advertisements that have been “digitally created or altered,…

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Navigating Contractual Claims and Unsigned Change Orders: Lessons from Cascade Civil Construction Case

In recent years within the construction law sector, the interaction of contractual claims procedures, unsigned change orders, and differed directions have become particularly pivotal points of interest. A recent case from the Washington Court of Appeals, Cascade Civil Construction, LLC v. Jackson Dean Construction presents a notable incidence JD Supra reports. The case serves as…

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Navigating the 179D Deduction: Incentivizing Energy Efficiency in Commercial Construction

For legal professionals maneuvering the complexities of tax law pertinent to the construction industry, the 179D deduction for new energy-efficient commercial buildings is a critical section to grasp. This tax provision allows for a significant deduction, correlating directly with the cost of energy-efficient commercial building property (EECBP) that is placed in service during the taxable…

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Illinois Appellate Court Examines Contractual vs. Equitable Subrogation in Builder’s Risk Policy Case

In a recent case, Zurich Am. Ins. Co. v. Infrastructure Eng’g. Inc., 2023 Ill. App. LEXIS 383, the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District was forced to consider the interplay and tensions between contractual and equitable rights of subrogation, an issue of great interest to insurers, underwriters and legal practitioners alike. The case emerged from…

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