Construction Group Out + About
April 2025
Robinson+Cole's Construction Group is active in the industry. Our members speak, publish, and participate in high-profile programs. We look forward to connecting with you while we're "out and about.”
Even when we're out of the office, we stay on top of the latest construction law trends. Check out our Construction Law Zone blog for insights and subscribe to receive new posts. Let us know what topics you'd like us to cover.
Recognitions
Bill Wilson Recognized as a “Top Author"
Bill Wilson has been recognized as a “Top Author” in the area of construction for the third consecutive year as part of JD Supra’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Bill is the editor of our Construction Law Zone blog, which offers insights on developments and trends in all areas of construction. His selection underscores continued excellence from the over 70,000 professionals whose 2024 published insights and commentary were read by C-suite executives, in-house counsel, media, and others across various industries highlighted on JD Supra’s platform and who are interested in defining topics impacting business today. To see the full awards, click here.
Joe Barra Appointed to the Massachusetts Port Authority’s Designer Selection Board
Joe Barra was appointed to serve a two-year term on the Massachusetts Port Authority’s Designer Selection Board (DSB). The DSB is the central administrative authority for the design community and municipalities in the designer selection process for state building projects throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Anand Gupta Elected to South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut Board of Directors
Anand Gupta was elected as a member of the South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut’s Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting on December 9, 2024. Anand is a first-time board member and will serve a one-year term.
Speaking + Writing
Joe Barra Calls Case of First Impression a Warning to Owners and Developers
Joe Barra was quoted in the article, “Supplier can file mechanic’s lien after transfer of property,” published in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on March 5, 2025. Superior Court Judge James H. Budreau ruled in a case of first impression that a company providing building materials for a construction project could put a mechanic’s lien on the property shortly after the owner, who allegedly failed to pay what it owed under the contract, transferred the property to another entity below market value. To read more, click here.
Larry Grijalva Authors NOMAct Intersections Newsletter Article Discussing AI’s Impact on the Construction Industry
Larry Grijalva authored an article for the National Organization of Minority Architects Connecticut Chapter’s (NOMAct) Intersections Q4 2024 newsletter titled “Artificial Intelligence’s Transformative Impact on the Construction Industry.” Larry offered insights from the Construction Law group’s annual Construction Industry Roundtable where the opportunities and challenges of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in the construction industry were explored and discussed. The article highlights how AI can reshape how construction professionals operate, specifically in architectural design, safety protocols, and project management—he also discusses the hurdles remaining for widespread AI adoption. Read the full article here.
Joe Barra Presents AGC/VT Program on Risk Management in the Construction Process
Joe Barra presented a program titled “Managing Risk Throughout the Construction Process,” hosted by the Vermont Construction Association (AGC/VT) on January 16, in Montpelier, Vermont. Joe’s program discussed how using the American Institute of Architects’ family of standard construction contract forms can help construction firms identify and negotiate risk by shifting provisions pertaining to differing site conditions, indemnity, waiver of consequential damages, no damages for delay, and liquidated damages.
Bill Wilson Shares Insights on the Challenges of Flow-Down for GC's in Construction Dive
Bill Wilson was quoted in the article, “What GCs should know about flow-down clauses,” published in Construction Dive on March 25, 2025. Flow-down clauses are an accepted element of agreements between general contractors and subcontractors, to the extent that parties often sign the agreements without giving them a careful read. Bill explained that "due to the fact that they are pretty much standard, subcontractors also often don’t read or understand the responsibilities that flow-down clauses foist upon them. They just sign it.” which can lead to problems for both the subcontractor and general contractor when a conflict arises. Bill counsels that general contractors can take some steps to protect themselves beyond the provisions of the flow-down clause, including looking for misalignments upfront, to avoid arguing about them later when a dispute has developed. “Better to resolve it all in one venue if possible,” he said. Read the full article here.
Upcoming Events
WTS CT Annual Awards Banquet & Scholarship Banquet
Robinson+Cole is pleased to once again be a sponsor of the WTS Connecticut Chapter’s Annual Awards & Scholarship Banquet on April 17, 2025. The event recognizes women leaders in the CT transportation industry and honors scholarship recipients pursuing careers in transportation who have been helping transform the transportation industry in Connecticut. Fred Hedberg serves on WTS Connecticut’s Advisory Council.
United Way Annual Building Foundations Breakfast
Robinson+Cole is pleased to be a sponsor of the 5th Annual United Way Building Foundations Breakfast, hosted by United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut on April 23, 2025, at the Connecticut Convention Center. This signature commercial real estate and building industry event raises funds to prevent children and families from becoming homeless and to secure stable housing for those living in shelters. Learn more here.
Connecticut Valley Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute AI Seminar
Fred Hedberg will present a program titled “Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Engineering” at the Connecticut Valley Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute's 2025 Spring Geotechnical Seminar on April 25, 2025. Fred will discuss ethical challenges and concerns related to the emergence and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in engineering and ways to navigate ethical AI in the engineering practice. In addition, Fred will review legal considerations such as the duty of confidentiality, ownership principles and disclaimers for AI use, and examine the ethical use of AI in the context of various professional codes of ethics and cases studies. To learn more, click here.
5th Annual Girl Power Bowl-a-Thon
Robinson+Cole is pleased to once again be a sponsor of the 5th Annual Girl Power Bowl-a-Thon to support Girls on the Run of Southeastern Connecticut, Girl Scouts, Soroptimist International Connecticut Shoreline, and STEPS on April 27, 2025.
Fred Hedberg to Present on Expert Witness Testimony at National Business Institute Live Virtual Connecticut Course
Fred Hedberg will speak at the National Business Institute (NBI) live virtual Connecticut course, “How to Lay a Foundation to Get Your Evidence Introduced in Connecticut” on June 4, 2025. Fred’s presentation, “Laying a Foundation for Expert Witness Testimony,” will cover various topics including, establishing competency and qualifications, verifying an expert’s methodologies, motions in limine: bringing or defending against, at the hearing, and case law review. To learn more, click here.
2025 American Arbitration Association Conference in New York City
Robinson+Cole is pleased to be a sponsor of the 20th Annual American Arbitration Association (AAA) Construction Conference on June 12, 2025, in New York, where industry leaders come together to discuss the most pressing issues in construction arbitration and dispute resolution. Greg Faulkner, Dennis Cavanaugh, and Joe Barra will attend.
Where We've Been
2025 Women Who Build Summit
Robinson+Cole was proud to sponsor the 2025 Women Who Build Summit on April 9 and 10, 2025. This year's theme was "Connect, Inspire & Transform," highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovation in the industry. Construction Law Group Chair Martin Onorato and Anand Gupta attended the event.
Fred Hedberg Awards Grants to Interval House, Mercy Housing, House of Bread, and Loaves and Fishes Ministries on Behalf of the Hartford County Bar Foundation
Fred Hedberg recently awarded grants totaling $8,500 to Interval House, Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation, House of Bread, and Loaves and Fishes Ministries on behalf of the Hartford County Bar Foundation (HCBF) to further support their missions and impact in the greater Hartford region. Fred, who serves as Secretary of the HCBF, was joined by HCBF President Ernie Mattei. The HCBF serves as the charitable arm of the Hartford County Bar Association, supporting community efforts to improve economic and social conditions throughout Hartford County.
ACES Education Foundation Annual Gala
Robinson+Cole was pleased to again sponsor the Area Cooperative Education Services (ACES) Education Foundation’s 21st Annual Gala on March 27, 2025. The gala celebrates ACES' two decades of support for students and clients in the New Haven region by providing a wide array of educational services and vocational programs aimed at students from preschool through adulthood.
Broadway Backwards in New York City
Greg Faulkner and Lisa Andrzejewski recently attended “Broadway Backwards,” an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ stories told through the great songs of musical theater. This year’s show, hosted at the Gershwin Theatre on March 10, 2025, raised a record-shattering $1,111,788 in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. Broadway Backwards is the only annual event on Broadway custom-made for the LGBTQ+ community, friends, and allies, bringing life to stories audiences long to see onstage in fresh, unique, and unexpected ways.
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