Fresh off Labor Day, members of the ABA Forum on Construction Law gathered in Louisville, KY for the Fall Meeting, “Construction Project Contracts: Off to the Races.” The program kicked off with the sold-out practicum: “Negotiating the 10 Most Common Contract Provision to Minimize Risks and Avoid Disputes.” Division 11, In-House Counsel, held it’s annual planning meeting and discussed ideas for how to offer the most value to Division members.
Wednesday
morning started with a literal “First Call” played by a Churchill Downs bugler
on a Kentucky Rose lined stage. The day
was filled with great sessions on construction law contracts from the
perspective of the Owner, Contractor, and Designer. D-11 partnered with D-5-General Contractors
and D12–Owners & Project Finance, for the lunch program, “Who Dares Disturb
My Slumber?: Navigating ‘Sleeping Giant’ Provisions during Construction
Contract Administration” where D11’s very own Michael Meyers highlighted
provisions that seem simple enough, but, when triggered, can cause legal
complexity for projects. The session
portion of the day closed with a first for the Forum; a session on attorney
wellness. Dan Lukasick, New York State
Judicial Wellness Coordinator, told his own, moving story of his struggles with
depression while offering guidance to attorneys and law firms on how to prioritize
mental health.
The
evening started with the Welcome Reception at the Muhammad Ali Center. After the reception, D11 teamed up with D7,
D9, and D12 to watch the Louisville Bats take on the St. Paul Saints at
Louisville Slugger Field. The Forum
offers networking that is just as valuable as its programming.
The Fall Meeting
concluded with an inspiring Diversity Breakfast discussion with Jimmie
McMillian, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Corporate Counsel at Penske
Entertainment Group. Mr. McMillian
reminded us that we all have the power to make a difference when he said, “I
don’t want you to be depressed. I want you to be determined.” Full of inspiration, we sprinted towards the
finish line with sessions on project close-out and litigator’s perspectives on
contract provisions.
The Forum
has two exciting upcoming events. First,
the regional “essentials” program will he held November 13-14 in Chicago,
Orlando, Kansas City, and New York.
Next, the 2026 Midwinter meeting, Changing Landscapes: New and Effective
ADR Strategies” will be held in Dana Point, CA.
Register for these great events and learn more about D11 here: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/construction_industry/.
Fresh off Labor Day, members of the ABA Forum on
Construction Law gathered in Louisville, KY for the Fall Meeting, “Construction
Project Contracts: Off to the Races.”
The program kicked off with the sold-out practicum: “Negotiating the 10
Most Common Contract Provision to Minimize Risks and Avoid Disputes.” Division 11, In-House Counsel, held it’s
annual planning meeting and discussed ideas for how to offer the most value to
Division members.
Wednesday
morning started with a literal “First Call” played by a Churchill Downs bugler
on a Kentucky Rose lined stage. The day
was filled with great sessions on construction law contracts from the
perspective of the Owner, Contractor, and Designer. D-11 partnered with D-5-General Contractors
and D12–Owners & Project Finance, for the lunch program, “Who Dares Disturb
My Slumber?: Navigating ‘Sleeping Giant’ Provisions during Construction
Contract Administration” where D11’s very own Michael Meyers highlighted
provisions that seem simple enough, but, when triggered, can cause legal
complexity for projects. The session
portion of the day closed with a first for the Forum; a session on attorney
wellness. Dan Lukasik, New York State
Judicial Wellness Coordinator, told his own, moving story of his struggles with
depression while offering guidance to attorneys and law firms on how to prioritize
mental health.
The
evening started with the Welcome Reception at the Muhammad Ali Center. After the reception, D11 teamed up with D7,
D9, and D12 to watch the Louisville Bats take on the St. Paul Saints at
Louisville Slugger Field. The Forum
offers networking that is just as valuable as its programming.
The Fall Meeting
concluded with an inspiring Diversity Breakfast discussion with Jimmie
McMillian, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Corporate Counsel at Penske
Entertainment Group. Mr. McMillian
reminded us that we all have the power to make a difference when he said, “I
don’t want you to be depressed. I want you to be determined.” Full of inspiration, we sprinted towards the
finish line with sessions on project close-out and litigator’s perspectives on
contract provisions.
The Forum
has two exciting upcoming events. First,
the regional “essentials” program will he held November 13-14 in Chicago,
Orlando, Kansas City, and New York.
Next, the 2026 Midwinter meeting, Changing Landscapes: New and Effective
ADR Strategies” will be held in Dana Point, CA.
Register for these great events and learn more about D11 here: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/construction_industry/.
