2021 Construction Law Virtual Seminar Agenda

2021 Construction Law

*Schedule and Speakers subject to change

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Thursday, April 29, 2021

Time (Central)	Program	CLE
12:00-12:10 p.m.	Welcome and Introductions Glenn Zakaib, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Toronto, ON Andrew R. Ferguson, Coughlin Betke LLP, Boston, MA
12:10-1:20 p.m.	The New Normal: COVID-19’s Impact on the Construction Industry COVID-19 caused major disruptions to the industry in 2020 in both residential and commercial building. This panel will discuss how the industry has reacted and adapted, addressing topics, such as work stoppages, municipal construction, the new need for physical distancing on a construction site, changes in OSHA regulations, disruptions to the supply chain, and how the industry can anticipate and mitigate possible future shutdowns. Moderator John D. Surma, Esq., Jackson Lewis, P.C., Houston, TX William "Ben" Wescott, Esq., Andrews Myers, Houston, TX Brian Roundtree, The Haskell Companies, Jacksonville, FL Felicia Watson, National Association of Home Builders, Washington D.C.	1.0
1:20-1:25 p.m.	BREAK
1:25-2:35 p.m.	Turning Lemons in to Lemonade: Finding Opportunities from the Fallout When massive change happens, businesses must adapt or risk failure. Often, however, unexpected industry changes can lead to increased opportunities. This panel of women in construction will discuss how their businesses have found opportunities from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moderator Rosary A. Hernandez, Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., Phoenix, AZ Anne K. Pfleger, CIT, Charles Construction Services, Inc., Findlay, OH, National President of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Dannielle Dlugosh, Hensel Phelps Corporation, Austin, TX Toni Osberry, Associated General Contractors, Austin, TX	1.0
2:35-2:40 p.m.	BREAK
2:40-3:40 p.m.	Deeper Discovery: Hitting all the Project Nook and Crannies to Uncover Best Evidence Cases live and die by evidence. Hear about all of the ways to take a deep dive into a case during discovery to make yours a winner! Moderator Roy Shelley, Rogers Townsend, Columbia, SC Denise M. Montgomery, Sweeney & Sheehan, P.C., Philadelphia, PA Rocco P. Matra, Kaufman Borgeest & Ryan, LLP, New York, NY	1.0
3:40-3:45 p.m.	BREAK
3:45-4:55 p.m.	COVID-19's Impact on Building Design: Designing the Future Historic events lead to changes in the way we think and approach matters in our lives. COVID has introduced us to physical distancing and increased remote working. This panel will discuss how the pandemic will impact current and future design and the need for modifications to existing structures. Moderator George R. Truitt, Jr., Cole Scott & Kissane, P.A., Miami, FL Annie Lo, AIA, LEED AP, Walter P Moore, San Francisco, CA Paul Bennett, Exponent, Denver, CO Rodney Moss, Hunt Companies, Inc., Dallas, TX	1.0
4:55-5:00 p.m.	BREAK
5:00-6:00 p.m.	Wine and Facetime/Committee Business Meeting (open to all) David Jones, Wright Lindsey & Jennings, Little Rock, AR Danielle Waltz, Jackson Kelly PLLC, Charleston, WV Grab your favorite drink and join your fellow attendees for a Networking and Committee Business Meeting. Meet fellow attendees, committee leadership, learn about the committee, and find ways to get involved – plus catch up with old friends and makes some new ones.
6:00 p.m.	Adjourn

Friday, April 30, 2021

Time (Central)	Program	CLE
10:00-10:10 a.m.	Welcome and Introduction Andrew R. Ferguson, Coughlin Betke LLP, Boston, MA Mark D. Shifton, Gfeller Laurie LLP, Princeton, NJ Eileen R. Fullerton, Fullerton Beck LLP, White Plains, NY
10:10-11:25 a.m.	The Business of Interruption: Business Interruption Claims and COVID-19 The construction industry has been hit by significant disruptions which have reverberated throughout the insurance industry. This presentation will include a discussion of business interruption/commercial property claims, including recent CGL issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic. Key insurance decisions relating to COVID-19 litigation will also be the topic of discussion. Lee H. Shidlofsky, Shidlofsky Law Firm PLLC, Austin, TX	1.0
11:25-11:30 a.m.	BREAK
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.	Surety/Fidelity Bonds (for the Construction Lawyer) Despite meticulous and thorough planning, construction disputes can, and likely will, arise over the course of a project. To protect against losses that flow from such disputes, surety bonds and alternate forms of insurance have developed as a financial tool to provide performance and payment security. This panel will discuss the fundamentals of suretyship and the significance of having surety bonds or default insurance on your clients’ projects. Sonny Ingram, Travelers Insurance Companies, Toronto, ON Steve Nelson, Markel Surety, Plano, TX Derek Fennel, AXA XL, Chicago, IL	1.0
12:30-12:35 p.m.	BREAK
12:35-1:35 p.m.	Case Law Update Stay on the cutting edge of the law by hearing a panel of attorneys discuss the latest developments in the field. Joshua W. Mermis, West Mermis, Houston, TX Robert N. Johnson, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., West Palm Beach, FL Melissa Lin, Righi Fitch Law Group, Phoenix, AZ Moheeb H. Murray, Bush Seyferth PLLC, Troy, MI Alexandra Sued, Fullerton Beck, White Plains, NY	1.0
1:35-1:40 p.m.	Final Comments
1:40-2:15 p.m.	SLG Meetings Design Professional, Contract and Delay Claims, Construction Defect, Insurance Coverage, Worksite Injury
2:15 p.m.	Adjourn

DRI Cares

Join us in making donations to Caritas of Austin, a nonprofit that works to help the homeless in Austin, TX, to purchase hygiene items and COVID protection items (cleaning supplies, sanitizer, toilet paper) for those less fortunate. Since we cannot be there in person to provide support for Austin, let’s help virtually!!

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