Join CFMA TC on May 15th from 1:30 – 4:30 pm for the in-person program “Construction Contract Fundamentals”. The event will be followed by a networking happy hour.

You don’t need to be a lawyer to read a contract (although it is recommended), but you do need to understand what you are reading. Comprehending the unique provisions written for the construction industry will save you time and money in the future. You also need to understand some of the major differences between the AIA contract documents and the trendy Consensus DOCS. This course will help you learn the important clauses, terms, and general conditions to look out for so you can protect your company’s bottom line.

Who should take this course:

CFOs, controllers, contract administrators and contract negotiators at all levels of experience, Construction company owners and members of leadership team, Superintendents, project managers and other in-house staff who monitor or apply contract language on a job, and Risk management personnel who assess contract risks.

Program Outline:

• Contract Law Basics
• Important Construction Contract Clauses
• Contract Boilerplate
• How the Deal Can Change
• Owner / Architect Agreements
• Defaults, Claims and Remedies
• Construction Liens

Upon completing this course, you will be able to: 

• Understand construction contracts;
• Understand how contracts shift risk;
• Identify clauses that may be unenforceable and why;
• Recognize contract clauses that can hurt you;
• Propose specific language to manage your risk;
• Modify contract language to your advantage;
• Select the standard clauses you should use;
• Use your lawyer more efficiently

Please register by Monday, May 13. 

TIME: 

Program – 1:30-4:30 pm / Networking Happy Hour – 4:30-5:30 pm

Alexander Athmann, Attorney

Alex is a shareholder at Fabyanske, Westra, Hart & Thomson, P.A. He represents contractors, subcontractors, and owners in construction disputes in federal and state court, and in arbitration. Alex is experienced in delay, disruption, and acceleration claims, bond and mechanics’ lien claims and in the drafting and negotiating of construction and design contracts. Alex has been named to the Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch list from 2022-24. 

Matthew T. Collins, Attorney

After more than twenty years of courtroom battles, Matt puts that litigation experience to work for his clients on the front end of the deal, helping to manage the risks and avoid litigation wherever possible. If a dispute is unavoidable, however, Matt’s familiarity with the inside of a courtroom has allowed him to obtain successful verdicts or awards in a variety of construction, complex commercial, and business disputes. His construction law experience includes a wide variety of construction claims and contract reviews, representing owners, architects, contractors, subcontractors, engineers, and suppliers, whether GMP, design-build, EPC, or everything in between. Matt also provides legal advice to lenders, developers, commercial landlords, tenants, and other business entities. 

Nathan Sellers, Attorney

Nathan has been with Fabyanske, Westra, Hart & Thomson, P.A. for over 11 years. He has extensive experience in commercial litigation and appeals within the construction industry. Nathan has presented on a variety of topics, including special types of liens, and construction management/design-build in Minnesota.