Legal Aspects of BIM

Whether you’re new to Building Information Modeling (BIM) or have been using it for years, join Sue Yoakum as she examines past, present, and future legal concerns associated with BIM, “noise” surrounding the use of BIM, and best practices for claim avoidance. Register now for the ACEC Annual Convention and Legislative Summit April 17-20.

Beyond Cost, Schedule and Quality: What Other Risks Do Project Owners Need to be Concerned About?

In today’s fast-paced digital world, most would agree that the convenience and ease of working online outweigh the risks, but is it possible to keep digital work safe? When it comes to managing risk, you can never be too prepared. Online hackers, shifting compliance standards and misconceptions regarding insurance can all pose threats to your projects and workplace. Fortunately, you can meet these challenges head-on with the right tools.

Donovan Hatem Celebrates 15 years

March 1, 2016 marks the firm’s 15th anniversary. The Boston office celebrated this important milestone with a party and champagne toast.

Join us in New York for “Design Professional Agreements: Trending Topics and Key Provisions That Can Prevent or Terminate a Lawsuit”

2015 was a busy year for the architecture, engineering and design industries. Join us as we discuss some of the most interesting questions posed by design professionals this past year.

Donovan Hatem donates to the Salvation Army

In the spirit of the holiday season, Donovan Hatem has donated to the Salvation Army.

Two Partners Named to 2015 Super Lawyers List

Congratulations to David J. Hatem and Kenneth B. Walton for their inclusion in the 2015 Massachusetts Super Lawyers List. David was recognized for his work in Construction Litigation and Ken received the award for Civil Litigation.

2015 in Review: Trending Topics, Strategies and Best Practices for Design Professionals

2015 was a busy year for the architecture, engineering and design industries. Join us as we discuss some of the most interesting questions posed by design professionals this past year and provide best practice strategies for the future.

How Ten Key Provisions in a Strong Design Professional Agreement Can Prevent or Terminate a Lawsuit

Donovan Hatem invites you to join us for a discussion led by Ken Walton, on AIA agreements and key provisions in a strong design professional agreement that can provide protection to design professionals. Effective use of these provisions can shield a design professional from potential legal liability or assist in terminating litigation after it has started.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

With the holidays fast approaching Donovan Hatem is already considering the upcoming season and our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint.

This year the firm will be planting at least 50 trees with our company’s seasonal e-card. This measure will offset about 50 tons of CO² over the lifetime of the trees. eCO2 Greetings planted 10 trees on behalf of Donovan Hatem last year across a variety of registered forest restoration schemes, and this year we have increased our efforts to diminish the effects of climate change.

Risk Management and Contractual Strategies for E-Communications and Construction Site Accidents

Donovan Hatem invites you to join us for our next Design Professional Roundtable discussion led by Eric A. Howard on how design professionals can manage risk and develop strategies for dealing with issues and claims that may arise as a result of information transmitted in electronic communications such as e-mail, marketing materials and social media. This program will also address how design professionals can manage risk and develop strategies for dealing with indemnification rights, responding to interviews, and OSHA. Attendees will learn about standard contractual provisions including means and methods, site safety, defense and indemnification and additional insured protection for design professionals.

Legislative Initiatives Impacting Design Professionals

Join us for our next Boston roundtable on Thursday, October 22. This panel discussion will be focused on the latest legislative actions impacting design professionals.

Opportunities for Infrastructure Reform: Improving America’s Procurement System

Recently, the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program hosted the first of a series of workshops, with support from insurance company AIG, focused on identifying the biggest challenges and opportunities for America’s procurement system for infrastructure and the built environment. Leveraging real world experience from practitioners in government, finance, insurance, law, and construction, Brookings identified the top four opportunities for smart infrastructure reform. Contributing his knowledge of the industry, Donovan Hatem attorney David J. Hatem was one of the participants in the Brookings workshop.

For more information on the research, read the entire Brookings report, Opportunities for Infrastructure Reform: Improving America’s Procurement System.”

Recent CM-At-Risk Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Decision – What Does It Mean for Project Participants?

On September 2nd, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) decided Coghlin Electrical v. Gilbane Building Company v. DCAMM (referred to here as “Coghlin“) involving an issue of first impression in Massachusetts (and throughout the United States), and one of critical importance to the successful utilization of the construction manager-at-risk delivery method (CMR).

Read David J. Hatem, PC‘s entire article published in ACEC Insights, Summer/Fall 2015.

2015 ACEC Fall Conference

Don’t miss David Hatem at the 2015 ACEC Fall Conference!

The Mechanic’s Lien – Are You Protected?

Gregory Paonessa recently had his article “The Mechanic’s Lien – Are You Protected?” published in Thomson Reuters’ Legal Handbook for Architects, Engineers and Contractors: Issues in Construction and Technology, Vol. 31, 2014/2015.

Construction Manager at Risk May Have Design Risk According to Mass. SJC

Yesterday, September 2, 2015, the Supreme Judicial Court released its Coghlin v. Gilbane opinion. Note, the case has been remanded to the Superior Court for proceedings consistent with the SJC’s opinion.

September 3 Roundtable at the Boston Harbor Hotel

Design-Build and P3s: Risk Allocation and Professional Liability Claims Experience

Please join us on Thursday, September 3 at the Boston Harbor Hotel for a discussion led by David J. Hatem on the increasingly popular design-build and P3 delivery methods. Beyond any question, design-build is on the rise as the delivery method of choice for many public owners seeking to contain cost overrun and other project risk exposures. In addition, P3, which combines design-build with private financing, is gaining interest across the United States.

Donovan Hatem Welcomes New Associate

Donovan Hatem is pleased to announce that James Boyce, Esq. has joined the Associate group in the New York office.

June 17 Roundtable at the Boston Harbor Hotel

Please join us on Wednesday, June 17 at the Boston Harbor Hotel for a panel discussion focused on recent court decisions impacting design professionals. Donovan Hatem attorneys will provide presentations on several of their cases in the last year involving professional liability claims against design professionals. Actually, there is much “good” to report!

May 28 Roundtable at the Boston Harbor Hotel

Please join us on Thursday, May 28 at the Boston Harbor Hotel for “Construction Documents, Value Engineering, Shop Drawings, Submittal Reviews and Construction Phase Risks – Can They Be Avoided or Mitigated?”