Design Professionals

Morrison Mahoney understands the complex challenges faced by architects and engineers running their busy practices within the competitive New England market. Architects and engineers are charged with developing leading edge technologies and designs using their expertise and judgment to make appropriate recommendations for their clients as they juggle the responsibilities of running their business. Not only do design professionals provide important technical advice and services, they often play critical roles in project management and coordination as well. These administrative services can create significant exposure in large, multi-contractor jobsites.

Morrison Mahoney’s team of seasoned attorneys are experienced allies of design professionals, having represented them in claims arising from both their professional judgment and from their coordination and services.

Our firm has successfully counseled and defended architects and engineers in a variety of claims arising from their professional responsibilities, including:

• Design and specification of HVAC systems and electrical systems
• Design and specification of fireproofing details
• Design and construction management in buildings with structural issues
• Operating construction quality control and testing programs`
• Claims arising from management as owners’ or prime contractors’ agents, coordinating trades and implementing change orders

Our attorneys understand how a design professional’s services fit within a complicated jobsite.  We are experienced in partnering with experts in these fields to vigorously defend our clients’ actions and professional judgment, and knowledgably lever liability transfer strategies available through contractual language or facts of a particular situation. We also understand the scope of services our design professional clients are expected to provide and guard against “scope creep” in the context of litigation. We understand how architects and engineers are called upon to interact with owners, contractors, subcontractors, third-parties, manufacturers, and local and state authorities.

In addition to representing design and construction firms, our attorneys have served as counsel to regulatory agencies governing design and construction professions and trade associations for design professionals. As a result of this experience, we are able to offer contract development and risk management services in addition to our litigation expertise.

For more information about the services we offer to design professionals, please contact Jim Brawley at jbrawley@morrisonmahoney.com and Mike Hayden at mhayden@morrisonmahoney.com.