2026 Construction Law Seminar

March 25–27, 2026
Renaissance Nashville Hotel | Nashville, Tennessee

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Construct Your Legal Career in Music City!

Last Chance - Save Your Spot Today

As any experienced construction lawyer will attest, there is no such thing as a flawless construction project. Every phase—whether it’s drafting and negotiating the contract, mobilizing crews, and breaking ground, addressing unforeseen site conditions, identifying, and remediating defects, or navigating costly project delays—presents its own set of risks, complexities, and opportunities for dispute. These challenges are further compounded by the increasing threat of natural disasters and extreme weather events, which have become more frequent and disruptive in recent years. Such events can halt work, damage partially completed structures, and trigger cascading claims involving multiple parties.

In this environment, construction professionals face not only traditional contractual and operational issues but also new and unprecedented hurdles that test the limits of risk allocation and project planning. When conflicts do occur, effective litigation and dispute resolution become essential tools. How do attorneys, clients, and insurers work together proactively to identify vulnerabilities before ground is broken, manage claims as they arise, and effectively manage relationships throughout litigation? In today’s construction landscape, risk management is no longer a single step in the process—it is a continuous, strategic effort from start to finish. Join the DRI Construction Law Committee as we share practical strategies for practicing in this challenging and ever-evolving landscape.

What You Will Learn:

  • How renewable energy is being incorporated into projects and how insurers are addressing risk changes and potential coverage issues.
  • How to address construction defects in projects that have also suffered from impacts of natural disasters.
  • Developing, defending, and presenting delay claims.
  • Identifying opportunities to implement risk transfer and understand the impacts on the defense of claims.
  • Utilizing Artificial Intelligence to assist in both project planning and litigation.
  • Key considerations in representing different stakeholders in a project, such as owners and contractors.

Expand Your Network By:

  • Connecting with other construction law attorneys, industry members, claims professionals and solution providers through hands-on learning opportunities.
  • Bonding with colleagues through networking happy hours at unique Nashville venues.
  • Joining dine-arounds to meet new members and broaden your list of contacts.
  • Engaging in small group sessions specifically designed for you to spend time with colleagues from around the country.

Counsel Meetings with Major Companies
Take advantage of the opportunity to engage with key industry companies* including:

  • TBD

*Subject to change

Representatives from These Companies Will Be in Attendance
Engage with in-house counsel, claims professionals, and expert representatives from these companies* and more:

  • TBD

*Subject to change

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Thank You to DRI's Construction Law Committee Leadership

James Noonan
Jim Noonan
Program Chair
Thamir A.R. Kaddouri, Jr.
Thamir A.R. Kaddouri, Jr.
Program Vice Chair
Dan Strong
Dan Strong
Program Vice Chair
Mark D. Shifton
Mark Shifton
Committee Chair
Stephanie Eaton
Stephanie Eaton
Committee Vice Chair
Rosary Hernandez
Rosary Hernandez
Law Institute

Discover the opportunities available through the Construction Law committee and and learn how you can get involved.
Join today and make a difference

Registration Information

Worry-Free Registration: Cancellations received thirty (30) days or more before an in-person seminar are entitled to a full refund.

In registering for this seminar, I attest that I devote a substantial portion of my professional time to defending the interests of individuals, business, associations, or governmental entities in civil litigation. I understand that DRI reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel my registration, without a refund, if I do not meet the criteria described above.

Last Chance - Register for the Seminar

 Member PricingNon-Member PricingNon-Member Bundle ^
Onsite Registration *$1,695$2,095$2,015
Group Registration
(Non-Sponsored)
Group registration is for registering four or more attendees. Members and non-members receive a 15% discount off the member and non-member rates respective to the time the group registration is initiated (i.e. Early Bird, Regular or On-Site registration periods). There is one free registration with every 10 paid registrations.
If you want to register for the group pricing, fill out the form here. Please note that online registration is not available for this offer.
Corporate/GovernmentEffective November 1, 2025, DRI is expanding the Corporate Membership category to include attorneys working for a government entity. Corporate Membership includes complimentary registration for DRI seminars.
  • If you are not already a DRI member, join as a Corporate Member before registering to take advantage of this benefit.
  • If you are a current Government Member, please contact DRI Membership at membership@dri.org and the team can assist in converting your membership, which will allow you to take advantage of the complimentary registration.
Non-Member Bundle ^If you're new to DRI and not a DRI member, take advantage of the Non-Member / Trial Membership Bundle and receive up to 9 months of membership when you register for the seminar. You’ll be able to add this special offer to your cart at checkout.
Discover the benefits of DRI membership.
Note: Trial membership processing can take up to 30 days from the date of purchase. Renewing members and members with recently lapsed memberships are not eligible for a Non-Member Bundle.

*If your membership has recently lapsed, please renew it before registering to ensure you receive the discounted member rate. If you are interested in joining DRI to receive the member pricing, click here to visit the Application page.

Hotel Information

The seminar will be held at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, 611 Commerce Street, Nashville, TN 37203. To speak with the hotel directly, please call 615.255.8400.

The DRI room block at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel is now sold out. Please use the link below to reserve a room at a nearby available hotel.

Alternative Hotels

If you are planning on attending the conference and have not secured a hotel reservation, search for hotel availability via our trusted partner aRes Travel**. Book online or call 800.559.3186 for assistance; for International callers 619.546.5773.

**aRes Travel is a third-party travel planner. Rates, deposits, and cancellation policies may vary and are the responsibility of the guest. Questions on hotel policies or payments made on aRes website should be directed to the aRes Reservation Center or to the hotel directly.

Networking Events

Small Group Networking: Bourbon Tasting

Date: Wednesday, March 25 from 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Pricing: $85 per person
Location: Onsite at Renaissance Nashville Hotel

Are you ready to discover the perfect way to cap off your seminar day? Join us for a cozy and intimate small group bourbon tasting featuring the exquisite Belle Meade Bourbon. Gather with fellow attendees and let our beverage navigator guide you through a delightful exploration of this local icon. Discover the nuances of this smooth and flavorful spirit through interactive tastings and engaging conversation. Don't miss out on this unique chance to indulge your senses and make meaningful connections.
*Space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis (25 max). Tickets are non-refundable unless DRI cancels the event due to not meeting the minimum attendance requirement.

Networking Reception at JBJ's Nashville
Sponsored by: Cox PLLC, Freeman Mathis & Gary, Kiernan Trebach

Date: Thursday, March 26 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Pricing: Free when you register for the seminar
Location: JBJ's Nashville, 405 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

Step into an evening where business connections meet Nashville energy at the DRI Networking Reception. After a day of learning, join us at the one-of-a-kind JBJ’s Nashville for a truly rocking experience. Unwind with an open bar, live music, and the opportunity to forge lasting connections—this isn’t your average networking event; it’s a night you won’t want to miss. One of the largest bars on Lower Broadway, JBJ’s features the highest rooftop bar on Broadway and offers it all: a mechanical bull, with great food and drinks. Every floor is decked out in Bon Jovi memorabilia, making it the ultimate destination for music, history, and entertainment—just a five-minute walk from the hotel.

Dine-Arounds

Date: Wednesday, March 25

Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own) on Wednesday starting at 7:30 p.m. Click the button below to view the restaurants and RSVP. Space is limited; early reservation is recommended.

Sign up for Dine-Arounds

Full Agenda

*Schedule and speakers are subject to change

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Time (Central)Session
12:00 p.m.Registration
3:00 p.m.Welcome and Demonstrations Overview
3:10 p.m.

Hands-On Demonstration (Presented by Secretariat)

  • Demo 1: Understanding Retaining Wall Behavior and Failure Through a Scaled Model
  • Demo 2: The Impact of Material Selection on Construction Performance and Reliability
 

Hands-On Demonstration 1
Understanding Retaining Wall Behavior and Failure Through a Scaled Model

Secretariat will demonstrate how retaining walls and soils work together using a scaled model, and we will show you what we look for as geotechnical engineers when we investigate retaining wall failures. Participants will have an opportunity to predict how much load the model retaining wall can take before failing, with a prize going to the person who is closest without going over.

Justin Dominguez, PE, Secretariat, Boston, MA
Bryan Strohman, PE, Secretariat, Boston, MA

 

Hands-On Demonstration 2
The Impact of Material Selection on Construction Performance and Reliability

Construction outcomes can be highly sensitive to material selection, and even components that appear identical can perform very differently in the field. Through a series of interactive examples, we will demonstrate how subtle variations in material composition and mechanical behavior can lead to costly delays, premature failures, or safety risks. Participants will be invited to predict the results in each example and discover how material choices play a critical role in project performance and long term reliability.

Amalie Atassi, PhD, Secretariat, Atlanta, GA
Angela Meyer, PhD, PE, Secretariat, Plano, TX

5:00 p.m.

Small Group Networking: Bourbon Tasting

Click here for details

6:00 p.m.Networking / Cocktail Hour
7:30 p.m.

Dine-Arounds

Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own).

View details on Dine-Arounds

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Time (Central)Session
8:30 a.m.Registration & Coffee Service

Get to know the early risers in our group over a cup of coffee.
9:00 a.m.

Welcome and Introductions

Rosary Hernandez, Woodward Design+Build, New Orleans, LA
James Noonan, Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP, Bridgeport, CT

9:15 a.m.

A Contract Duel – The Bare-Knuckled Brawl of Contract Negotiation

Ever wonder how construction contracts are negotiated and hammered out? Come see top construction lawyers match wits and show you all the ways to work out those details that will most benefit your clients in this live contract negotiation presentation. This demonstration will include considerations that best protect your client and how they impact your client’s potential insurance coverage. These and other issues will be debated and argued about in a live format. With audience participation, you'll also learn what not to do and issues to avoid and the benefits of standard form documents.

Vic McConnell, Smith Cashion & Orr, Nashville, TN
Zach D. Jones, Martin & Jones, Knoxville, TN
R. Brian Johnson (Managing Counsel), HNTB, Kansas City, MO

10:15 a.m.Coffee Break
10:45 a.m.

Renewable Energy in New Home Build – Benefits, Considerations, Risks and Issues for the Design and Build Team?

Renewable energy is the way forward, and things like solar are becoming more commonplace and standard in new construction, including residential builds. Learn about how solar energies are being incorporated into design and engineering plans, how they can benefit the owner, and how the builders and general contractors deal with renewable requirements and the regulations that control them and the risk involved. We will also discuss how the insurance carriers manage the change in risk and what potential coverage issues arise when the renewable part of the project leads to defects and delays.

Lee Greenwald, Baird Holm, Omaha, NE
Tim Dowden, J.S. Held LLC, Murrieta, CA

11:45 a.m.

Catastrophe Strikes and a Construction Defect Is Discovered – Now What?

What happens when your multifamily new construction build is impacted by a natural disaster that reveals a construction defect? This program will take you through the initial considerations and steps necessary for the lawyer and claims professional to identify the problem, the impact on the overall construction, the potential coverage issues, and how to ensure your client is protected.

Jason Pannu, Freeman Mathis, Nashville, TN
Wes Grushon, Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company, Cincinnati, OH
Barret S. Albritton, Chartwell Law, Chattanooga, TN

12:45 p.m.DRI Networking Lunch
2:00 p.m.

Should I Do That? (Ethics)

Judge I'Ashea Myles, Chancery Court, 20th Judicial District, Nashville, TN

3:00 p.m.

It’s Not Me It's You – Risk Transfer and Avoidance

If you want to keep your carrier and client happy when dealing with a construction defect claim, you must understand the risk and how you transfer it. This session will explain why it’s so important to examine the contract, bring everyone to the party and how understanding risk transfer can significantly alter the defense of a claim. Working with your client’s carrier can have a big impact on the strength and position in your case.

Christine Bernstock, Tishman Construction, New York, NY
Darrell Whiteley, Lewis Brisbois, New York, NY
Julian Ehrlich, AON, New York, NY
Jeremiah Welch, Saxe, Doernberg & Vita, Temecula, CA

4:00 p.m.

I AM AI – You Cannot Escape Me!

AI is the way of the future, and that includes litigation and construction claims. This will be an interactive session with audience participation that will show you how using AI can help you manage your construction case, the best AI tools at your disposal in litigation, and the dangers and pitfalls of this new trend in the litigation space. This will also cover the dangers of how carriers and counsel can risk violating privilege by using AI during the investigation.

Sean Griffin, Longman & Van Grack, Washington, D.C.

5:00 p.m.

Adjourn

5:00 p.m.Construction Law Committee Business Meeting (open to all)
5:30–7:30 p.m.

Networking Reception | JBJ's Nashville
Sponsored by: Cox PLLC, Freeman Mathis & Gary, Kiernan Trebach

Join fellow seminar attendees at JBJ's Nashville.
Click here for full details.

Friday, March 27, 2026

Time (Central)Session
8:30 a.m.Registration and Coffee Service
9:00 a.m.

Welcome and Announcements

Dan Strong, Teague Campbell, Raleigh, NC

9:10 a.m.

Out of Time – Saving the Delorean – Bueller? - What the Heck Is a Delay Claim and How Do I Help Get the Jury to Understand It?

Delay on a construction project can have serious consequences and can lead to extensive damages. But how are they calculated? What elements are covered by insurance? And how in the world do you present this to a jury in a form that they understand? Join us to learn from lead experts on how to gather, organize and present information to a jury that doesn’t put them to sleep, or sound like the Charlie Brown teachers. This session will also cover carrier responsibilities and risks in handling delay claims.

David Ponte (Senior Claims Analyst), Blue Print Construction, Boston, MA
Chris Sweeney, Conn Kavanaugh, Boston, MA

10:10 a.m.Coffee Break
10:25 a.m.

I LOVE YOU MAN! - The Client and Carrier Relationship

How do you develop and maintain the client/carrier relationship through open communications? How do you represent your client and protect coverage while ensuring the carrier knows everything it needs to know in a timely manner? Attend the session and learn to maintain that harmonious relationship where everyone is happy.

Moderator
Michael Barbarula, Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP, Bridgeport, CT

Dale Crow, Risk Strategies, Nashville, TN
Derek Lokey, Auto-Owners Insurance Company, Lakeland, FL

11:25 a.m.

The A-Team – Getting Hannibal, Face, Murdock and BA to Solve Your Problems

In construction defect cases, getting the right team of experts involved timely can be the difference between winning and losing and dealing with additional exposures beyond your control. Learn about hiring that A-Team of experts and how early investigation and consultation with the expert team can help everyone better understand the issues and develop the most efficient and controllable path forward to get the client and the carrier to safety. This will also discuss how and why it’s in the carrier’s best interest to ensure the experts’ involvement starts as soon as possible.

Kate Van Namen, Butler Snow, Memphis, TN
Ron Mallory, JS Held, Anaheim, CA
Bryan Strohman, Secretariat, Boston, MA

12:25 p.m.Adjourn

CLE Information

Earn up to 9.00 hours of continuing legal education hours (CLE), including 1.00 hour of Ethics credit from this seminar.

View CLE Credit by State

In some states that charge late CLE submission fees, there will be a $100 late fee to report CLE credits submitted more than 30 days after a seminar/virtual event. Click here for details on CLE late fees.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

DRI's Construction Law Seminar is proudly supported by:

Premier Sponsors

LawyerGuard A Ryan Financial Lines Product Secretariat logo

Signature Sponsors

Cox P.L.L.C. FMG Law Freeman Mathis & Gary LLP

Seminar Sponsors

CCA, Construction Consulting Associates LLC Celebrating 35 years 1990 ESi Exponent logo Hartline Barger logo JS | Held Rimkus Consulting Group Inc Rumberger | Kirk RRD Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP Attorneys at Law Spilman Thomas & Battle YA Group logo

If you would like to learn about seminar sponsorship opportunities, including pricing, or to reserve your spot, please fill out the form to get started.

DRI Cares

Nashville Book Connection

Nashville Book Connection logo

Please join DRI Cares in supporting the Nashville Book Connection (NBC), a local organization that connects kids with books they love to nurture their reader identities - at home and in the classroom. NBC develops reader identities as students uncover a sense of pride, passion, and excitement around reading, book ownership, and shared book experiences. Please stop by the NBC table on Thursday, March 26th to learn more about the organization, look at sample books, and place a book order. You can also place an order through the NBC Wishlist below.

Buy a Book on NBC’s Wishlist

Additional Resources

If you have any questions that are not addressed on our website, please contact DRI Customer Service at 312.795.1101 or custservice@dri.org.