Welcome
This website is intended to provide information about the Oregon State Bar's Construction Law Section. By using the directory to the left, you will be able to find out more information about our Committees, Legislative Proposals, and Continuing Education opportunities.
We have also provided a non-definitive collection of research links that have been helpful to our membership in the past.
Membership Information
To join the Construction Law Section, please contact the State Bar. Dues are $11.50 each calendar year.
If you are interested in more information or volunteering with the Construction Law Section, please contact a member of that subcommittee.
What's New
Materials from April 22, 2011, Construction Law CLE
2011-2012 OSB Construction Law Section Free Lunchtime CLE Series
The OSB Construction Law Section is sponsoring a free lunch time CLE series for 2011-2012. The series will give the new construction law practitioner a "nuts and bolts" background on the important, basic issues and concepts at work within the field.
Each session will be held at Smith, Freed & Eberhard, 111 S.W. Fifth Ave, IN THE GROUND FLOOR TRAINING ROOM, Portland, Oregon. The sessions will start sharply at noon and are scheduled to last 50 minutes with 10 minutes for questions and answers.
To reserve your seat for a particular session or the whole series, contact Katrina Bakamus at 503-416-0296 or kbakamus@smithfreed.com. The Section will apply for CLE credit.
Click here for more information.
2/8/11 [This Session only from noon to 1:30 p.m.] READING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
(Dan Purgiel, LRS Architects, Inc.)Basics of contract documents (How to build a garage addition onto your house), drawings, technical descriptions of materials (project manuals), who regulates it (Codes); drawings, more visual instructions, organization and formatting, how they are used; project manuals (specifications), organization and formatting, how they are used, general conditions, technical descriptions of materials, basic code relationships, law, statutes, regulations, fire life safety (people protected) divided up by design, construction, and owners, civil (accessibility) both federal and state, other regulations for the common good: zoning, state statutes.
4/12/11 INTERPRETING BUILDING CODES
(Greg Mockford, Pinnell Busch, Inc.)What are building codes, how are codes developed, what are the codes in effect in the State, what are the codes affecting development in the City, the role of the Plan Reviewer, Inspector, Building Official, and requirements vs. perception.
6/14/11 CONSTRUCTION DELAY CLAIMS
(Steve Pinnell, Pinnell Busch, Inc.)Overview of delays, critical path schedule, and delay claims - to include the essential facts needed by an attorney when faced with a construction delay claim, for either the contractor or owner. Specific topics include: (1) summary of 2 surveys (extent of delays and their cause), (2) a brief summary of critical path scheduling (simply adding and subtracting), (3) scheduling specifications (two or three key clauses and reference to our master scheduling spec), (4) recordkeeping (a few key items to record), (5) key issues (who owns the float? and no damages for delay), and (6) scheduling claims (collapsed as-built, windows, and time impact analysis).
8/9/11 MOLD AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY ISSUES IN CONSTRUCTION
(Greg Baker, AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc.)Environmental Due Diligence during Construction and Demolition: Regulated Building Materials, Moisture, and Mold.
10/11/11 CONSTRUCTION DEFECT CLAIMS
(Pete Fowler, Pete Fowler Construction Services, Inc.)Methodology for Evaluation Water Infiltration in Buildings building envelops evaluations, construction defect analysis and prevention, and expert witness services.
12/13/11 - INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS
(Jack Levy, Smith, Freed & Eberhard)Basics of insurance coverage for construction disputes. Discussion of insurer duties to defend and indemnify, the extent to which construction disputes constitute an occurrence under general liability insurance policies, the extent of insurer liability for damages (time on risk apportionment of liability versus all sums liability), and construction specific policy exclusions.
2/14/12 PUBLIC CONTRACTING
(Jim Van Dyke, City of Portland)Basics of Oregon's new Public Contracting Code, with emphasize on construction and related design services. Covers public improvement and public works contracting issues, including competitive bidding, alternative contracting methods, bonding, prevailing wage rates and related issues. Includes practical tips from experienced public agency lawyers."
Proposed Legislation
The Construction Law Section is proposing technical amendments to construction law statutes for the 2010 legislative session. Please click on the "Current Legislation" link to get the Legislative Counsel's drafts of these proposed changes.