Blogs

Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights

Bankruptcy – Not Necessarily an End to Construction Payments

Bankruptcy filings can create immediate disruption on construction projects, but they do not necessarily eliminate all avenues for payment recovery. In this Bean, Kinney & Korman article published in the BKK Construction & Land Use Newsletter, Juanita F. Ferguson explains that construction professionals still may have several important protections available even after a bankruptcy petition is filed. The article notes that while the Bankruptcy Code’s automatic stay generally prevents creditors…

September 1, 2011

Construction

Summer Update for Construction Professionals

Construction professionals in 2011 faced a wide range of legal and regulatory developments affecting contracts, mechanic’s liens, employment issues, and project administration. In this Bean, Kinney & Korman article published in the BKK Construction & Land Use Newsletter, Juanita F. Ferguson provides an overview of important legal issues affecting contractors, subcontractors, owners, and developers. The article highlights how even relatively small changes in case law, statutory requirements,…

June 1, 2011

Construction

Social Media in the Construction Industry

Construction companies were beginning to embrace social media as a way to market services, recruit employees, manage projects, and communicate with clients. In this Bean, Kinney & Korman article published in the BKK Construction & Land Use Newsletter, Juanita F. Ferguson explains that tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, RSS feeds, and project webcams allowed contractors to showcase work, share updates, and strengthen their brands. The article notes that social media could be a…

December 1, 2010

Construction

Arbitration: An Effective Alternative to Litigation

Arbitration can provide a faster and more efficient way to resolve construction disputes than traditional litigation. In this Bean, Kinney & Korman article published in the BKK Construction & Land Use Newsletter, Juanita F. Ferguson explains that arbitration allows parties to select an arbitrator with experience in the subject matter of the dispute rather than having a judge assigned by the court. The article notes that once arbitration begins, the parties typically exchange documents,…

September 1, 2010

Construction

Mechanic’s Liens and Construction Bonds 101

Mechanic’s liens and construction bonds can provide critical payment protection for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers working on construction projects. In this Bean, Kinney & Korman article published in the BKK Construction & Land Use Newsletter, Juanita F. Ferguson explains that mechanic’s lien rights and bond claim procedures vary significantly between Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. The article notes that Virginia generally requires a Memorandum of Mechanic’s…

October 1, 2009

Construction

Preventing Financial Ruin from Construction Contracts

The financial crisis forced contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers to become far more cautious about the customers and projects they accepted. In this Bean, Kinney & Korman article published in the BKK Construction & Land Use Newsletter, Juanita F. Ferguson explains that construction companies should investigate prospective customers before signing a contract by gathering credit information, checking litigation histories, confirming corporate status, and contacting other trades that have…

June 1, 2009