Client Alert: Full Staff of New York Courts Due Back May 24, But Some COVID19 Changes In Litigation Are Here To Stay

The difference in how civil litigation was conducted in New York before COVID and now could not be greater.  Overnight, the system where the vast majority of court business was conducted live inside a courthouse was shut down.  After a hiatus, as everyone scrambled to enhance their technical capabilities, court proceedings finally resumed via remote means.  While the pace of pre-trial proceedings and appeals had increased over time, all civil jury trials were initially postponed indefinitely and have resumed only in very limited numbers. 

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Client Alert: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Issues Decision Regarding Statute of Repose

On November 3, 2020, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) issued an important decision concerning the interpretation and application of the Statute of Repose. (The Statute of Repose bars claims asserted more than 6 years after an improvement to real estate is substantially completed or opened for use.) Donovan Hatem submitted an Amici Curiae brief to the Court on behalf of ACEC/MA and AIA/MA, representing the interests of the design professional community.

In the case, D’Allessandro v.

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Client Alert: “American Jobs Act of 2011”

The proposed Act desires to produce construction focused on schools and infrastructure.

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Client Alert: Massachusetts Amends Mechanic’s Lien Law to Include Design Professionals

On January 5, 2011, amendments to the Massachusetts mechanic’s lien statute (G.L. c.254) were signed into law.

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Client Alert: New Massachusetts “Prompt-Pay” Law Governs Private Construction Contracts

Massachusetts recently inserted a new Section 29E into Chapter 149 of its general laws requiring construction payments to be paid promptly.

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Alert: New Indemnification Language in Connecticut State Courts

Architects and Engineers providing services to public owners in Connecticut need to be aware of recent changes in State contracting practices.

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Alert: Federal Government Tightens Integrity Reporting Requirements for Federal Contractors

This amendment tightens an already strict set of Federal Acquisition Regulations (“FARs”) requiring greater integrity in companies doing business with the federal government.

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Alert: New York: Liability Insurance Late Notice Reform—Prejudice Now Required

This amendment has radically changed insurance law in New York by eliminating a longstanding, and potent, insurer defense.

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Alert: Amendment to New York’s Wick Law Takes Effect on July 1, 2008

The Wicks Law requires public owners to commission their design professionals to prepare separate specifications for the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC components of public works and public housing authority projects.

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Alert: Design for Construction Safety Initiative

We call your attention to a construction safety initiative that appears to be gaining traction within certain segments of the design and construction industry.

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