Construction

At Gray Reed, we believe that effectively representing construction businesses requires an industry-based practice. It’s not enough to know the law—we need to know the industry, how it operates and how a project progresses. 

Our Depth of Experience

Our experience goes beyond just the work we do. Our attorneys are recognized for their expertise within the construction industry through a variety of recognitions including:

  • Two attorneys are Board Certified in Construction Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
  • Our construction law practice received national and metropolitan recognition in Best Lawyers' 2024 "Best Law Firms" ranking.
  • Three attorneys are listed as a 2024 Best Lawyer in America (a Woodward/White company) in the field of construction law and/or construction litigation.
  • Four attorneys are recognized by Texas Super Lawyers or Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars (a Thomson Reuters publication) in 2023 in the field of construction litigation. 
  • One attorney is on the American Arbitration Association’s national roster of construction neutrals and serves as a construction arbitrator, in addition to representing Gray Reed construction clients as an advocate.
  • One attorney is currently serving his sixth term in the Texas House of Representatives with a track record as an advocate for the construction industry.
  • One attorney worked as a civil engineer before attending law school.

In addition, our lawyers are frequent authors and lecturers on construction law topics and contribute to the firm's Texas Construction Law Blog.

Our Services

We assist construction industry clients with contract negotiation and review, project management and “real time” advice, claims preparation and resolution, mechanics liens and payment bond claims, open account collections, OSHA, regulatory and licensing matters, environmental compliance, MBE/WBE/DBE requirements, suretyship, mediation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution proceedings and litigation. Utilizing the expertise of our partners in other practice areas, we also guide our clients through project development and finance, labor and employment issues, insurance-related matters and even acquisitions, sales of businesses and transitions of businesses to the next generation of employees.

Our Industry Focus

Gray Reed knows construction. Our attorneys provide a full range of legal services to contractors and owners ranging from small, family-owned businesses to ENR Top 400 Contractors, state and local government agencies and Fortune 500 Corporations. In addition, we have substantial experience in a variety of subindustries and stand-alone industries including:

Civil – Infrastructure – Public Construction: Our attorneys provide legal services to contractors involved in civil, infrastructure and public construction including construction of highways, roads, bridges, tunnels, airport facilities, schools and hospitals.

Industrial Construction: Our construction law attorneys have a broad base of experience in representing owners, construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors and specialty suppliers in the construction of large scale, complex industrial facilities including chemical facilities, storage and transport centers.

Commercial Construction: Texas has some of the largest construction projects in the nation, which requires efficient and accurate legal counsel. Whether it be high-rise office towers, retail shopping centers, warehouses, hotel or corporate headquarters facilities, our attorneys have assisted from beginning to end.

Multi-Family Construction & Development: In Texas, apartment and condominium construction has experienced one of the fastest expansions in the country, particularly in Houston and Dallas where high land values favor the construction of low-cost, high-density dwellings. Our construction law attorneys, along with attorneys from our real estate and banking/finance practice groups, have taken residential and multi-family projects from their inception through to completed construction.

Manufacturing – Supply – Steel: With an uptick in International Trade Cases, the uncertainty of Section 232 and the unreliability of the mechanics of the Uniform Commercial Code, the pitfalls facing the steel industry are enormous.  Our attorneys have the wealth of knowledge needed to guide our clients through the minefield of the steel industry.

Energy / Oil & Gas: Gray Reed’s construction law attorneys have significant experience working in the energy industry on a diverse range of construction projects including HDPE manufacturing facilities, gathering systems, saltwater disposal facilities, gas pipelines and mineral liens. We are highly skilled in managing cross-functional teams through all stages of complex oil, gas and water management projects from design to construction to operations while meeting budgets, safety and environmental regulations.

Disaster Recovery Construction: There are everyday disasters, and then there are large scale devastating events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and floods. Our construction industry attorneys have the experience of advising clients through these often contentious and complex issues to ensure the best path for their clients.

Access to Resources and General Counsel Capabilities

As a full-service firm, we are uniquely positioned to effectively represent and counsel construction industry businesses beyond the routine or most complex construction matters. These resources allow us to serve as outside general counsel for our clients and help solve nearly any issue they may face in the life cycle of their business such as corporate, labor and employment, tax, succession planning, real estate, bankruptcy, intellectual property, government investigations and compliance and commercial litigation matters. And when a client's need goes beyond the jurisdiction of our law firm, Gray Reed has access to a worldwide network of lawyers for international and cross-border issues

Our Purpose is You.

As trusted advisors, we develop a deep understanding of your goals and objectives, so we can anticipate future issues and opportunities, and deliver highly personalized service. Our vast construction industry knowledge combined with a creative, pragmatic approach arms us to relentlessly protect you and your interests. 

Thought Leadership / News
March 1, 2024 
 Blogs
Texas Construction Law Blog
February 29, 2024 
 Blogs
Texas Construction Law Blog
December 2023 
 Speeches and Presentations
The Successful Preparation and Use of Construction Experts

Construction Law Foundation of Texas, The Basic Course in Texas Construction Law

December 14, 2023 
 In the News

60 Seconds of Risk Podcast

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Partner, Construction Practice Group Leader / Houston
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