Construction and Surety Law

Preeminent Construction and Surety Law Firm Provides Superior Representation

Construction and surety law is the cornerstone of our legal practice at WSSG. We provide comprehensive legal services for major public works and private sector construction projects, including:

  • Banks, financial institutions and trading facilities
  • Condominium complexes
  • Data centers
  • Federal, state and local government buildings
  • Highways, bridges and tunnels
  • Hospitals
  • Hotels
  • Public housing
  • Residential and commercial towers
  • Schools
  • Stadiums
  • Subways

As a leader in construction and surety law, our client roster includes several Treasury-listed sureties, Fortune 500 companies, internationally renowned developers, Engineering News Record “Top 100 and 400” contractors and numerous others, including:

  • Construction managers and consultants
  • Designers and engineers
  • Developers
  • General contractors
  • Material and equipment suppliers
  • Owners and lessees
  • Sureties
  • Trade contractors

Accomplished construction attorneys facilitate success

WSSG’s attorneys have decades of hands-on experience managing construction transactions and disputes. As legal counsel for developers and contractors, we draft and negotiate contracts with all principals, from architects and engineers to trade contractors and suppliers. These include professional design agreements, take-over agreements, completion agreements, construction management agreements, design/build agreements, general contractor agreements, trade contractor agreements and purchase orders. We also draft financing and project workout agreements.

When disputes arise, it is always our goal to avoid protracted litigation. We aggressively pursue alternative dispute resolution strategies, such as arbitration and mediation, to resolve issues surrounding payment, performance and construction defect claims, and keep the project moving forward. However, for more intractable conflicts, our attorneys have a proven track record of successful litigation in federal and state courts and administrative tribunals in the Tri-State area and nationwide.

Experienced surety law attorneys provide innovative solutions

At WSSG, our attorneys are adept at managing the complex issues surrounding sureties, including contract bonds, such as bid bonds, performance bonds and payment bonds, as well as maintenance bonds and mechanic’s lien discharge bonds. Our historical and current surety law clients include:

  • American International Group, Inc.
  • American Safety Casualty Insurance Company
  • Great American Insurance Company
  • Hartford Insurance Company
  • Hudson Insurance Company
  • Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company
  • Liberty Bond Services
  • RLI Insurance Company
  • The Cincinnati Insurance Company
  • The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc.
  • Utica Mutual Insurance Company
  • OneBeacon
  • Intact Insurance

Our attorneys advise sureties facing bond claims, including Miller Act claims, by conducting a thorough analysis, investigating alternative resolutions to mitigate damages, collecting contract balances and litigating indemnity actions in local, state and federal courts, including the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Our experience in the construction industry and in surety law is unmatched. To review our record, click here for our representative cases.

In a related field, our attorneys are experienced in handling claims under fidelity and guardian bonds, including in investigating and, where appropriate, working with forensic accountants to determine and limit potential liability and assert all available defenses.

Prompt, effective litigation in cases of bankruptcy

When an entity files for bankruptcy, WSSG’s attorneys know what must be done to protect our clients, including developers, contractors and sureties, to ensure project completion and protection of their interests. We respond promptly and decisively, challenging the automatic stay, raising contract issues, challenging the reorganization plan and raising objections to discharge. We employ aggressive tactics to protect trust, collateral and subrogation rights against bankrupt principals, trustees, lenders and indemnitors. These tactics include the establishment of segregated project trust accounts, and objecting to the discharge of indemnitors and the priority of lenders, who participated in the diversion of project trust funds.

Contact Us

Contact WSSG by telephone at (516) 794-7500 or online to schedule a consultation with an experienced construction and surety law attorney.