Blogs

Construction

EPA Withdraws Significant Portion of Storm Water Regulations in Court Case

The US EPA was forced to withdraw a portion of its proposed storm water management regulations in the context of a pending court challenge by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) and other parties. In the pending appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the EPA filed an unopposed motion…

August 23, 2010

Construction

Stormwater Regulations: Biggest Development Impediment You Have Never Heard Of

The Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of developing proposed national rulemaking to strengthen its stormwater program. The proposed rulemaking, which was previously announced in the Federal Register on Dec. 28, 2009, could dramatically alter the playing field for development of all types. This is particularly true in the D.C. region given its placement…

August 19, 2010

Construction

Virginia Constitutional Amendments Slated for November 2nd General Election

This year’s proposed Constitutional Amendments are now up for review prior to being voted on during the November 2, 2010 General Election this fall. There are three proposed amendments on the table:

August 18, 2010

Construction

Why All the Attempts to Allege Construction Cases as Fraud? Limitations and Economic Loss Rule

Many plaintiffs attempt to allege fraud claims in construction cases. These attempts generally fail in Virginia because a claimant must allege a basis for a fraud claim that arises outside the context of a contractual duty. This theory was clearly established in the Richmond v. McDevitt Street Bovis case in 1998, but we still see…

August 16, 2010

Construction

Washington Business Journal – First Post on Stimulus Funding is Live

We are very enthused to announce that I have been asked to regularly post as a guest blogger with the Washington Business Journal. WBJ is one of our very favorite sources of information, news and commentary regarding business, law and real estate. The guest blog spots will be weekly and part of their Biz Beat…

August 10, 2010

Construction

Opening Thoughts on Statutes of Limitations on Construction Projects

Statute of limitations defenses are a hotly litigated and important aspect of construction law. This is particularly true in Virginia where the clock often starts ticking based on a literal bright line trigger. This means the time for filing suit can often start running in Virginia before anyone even knows there is a case. In…

August 5, 2010

Construction

Ever Wonder Whether Your Local Legislators, Officers or Officials Have Skin in the Game?

With all the buzz about Congressional ethics investigations and the kinks being worked out of the reformed Virginia General Assembly and Senate ethics rules, I thought it might be an appropriate time to reflect on the rules that govern our local officials here in Virginia. On this side of the river, conflicts of interests, prohibited…

August 4, 2010

Construction

New Financial Reforms to Change Real Estate Market?

It has been widely reported that Northrop Grumman has chosen a building located in the Fairview Park area of Fairfax County to relocate approximately 300 employees from Los Angeles. Certainly this decision bodes well for the Northern Virginia region as a whole, as proximity to Washington, D.C., the Pentagon and the Northern Virginia technology centers…

July 30, 2010

Construction

Round 2 – Builder Claim for Coverage In Chinese Drywall Survives Motion

Frequent readers will know that we have talked about Chinese drywall litigation and issues quite a bit here. One of the ugliest cases was a builder who proactively repaired drywall issues having its initial complaint against its insurers who did not provide a defense thrown out on motion to dismiss. The court originally found that…

July 22, 2010

Construction

ABC-VA Headquarters: Aiming for LEED Gold

Associated Builders & Contractors Virginia Chapter (ABC-VA) has officially opened its quite impressive new headquarters location. The building project was managed by J.J. McCarthy as owner’s representative, head of its green building committee. The project featured numerous ABC member contractors and design professionals, including BE&K Building Group as general contractor and Morgan Gick McBeath &…

July 20, 2010