Showing posts with label Construction Law. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Construction Law. Show all posts

Jobs in Construction Law

Construction law jobs might require a law degree in some cases, but there are other positions that are related to upholding construction contracts, that can be associated to the field, but have other job requirements. For example, a Construction Project Manager, Risk Manager and those jobs that are related to the emerging Green Building clauses that appear in building contracts might be construction law positions that are related to following the clauses of construction contracts. These aren't the people that are specifically designated to design those clauses, which are legal documents that are designed by lawyers experienced in construction law, but they are people trained in understanding them.

Construction law positions can be related to the negotiation, formation and enforcement of the contract that applies to construction projects. There are a number of things that are related to performance, when it comes to construction laws and contracts. Timelines for project completion, payment schedules, dispute resolution and penalties will be spelled out in the building contract. Those that are in construction law jobs might be charged with making sure these deadlines are met, payments received and the construction project is completed in accordance with the construction contract. Whether it is a cost-plus contract, an EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) or stipulated sum contracts, the construction contract lays out strict guidelines for cost over-runs, warranties, damages and liability. 

Construction law jobs include knowledge of laws related to the construction industry, but might not mean you need to be a lawyer. The Green Building guidelines for government buildings is a prime example. The government has set requirements for contractors that are involved in new construction and renovations that are being made to these buildings. It is important that construction managers understand how to complete the work, in accordance with the construction contract and the laws that are part of proper compliance.
This can include training in certain construction methods, to be in compliance and there are some law firms that will have lawyers who specialize in these certain issues because areas of practice can include construction law. There may be advisors to the legal team that need to have extensive construction methodology backgrounds, but they may not be a lawyer, but a support staff person instead, for example. When you consider some of the varied construction law careers that are in this field, the job requirements and experience or education can be as varied as the laws themselves.

When there is real property involved, there may be liens filed according to construction law guidelines and they need to be released as the contract provides. Construction law jobs of this nature might be nothing more than receptionist-type positions, but on the other hand, there might be an on-staff construction lawyer that handles these processes for large construction companies, so these jobs can be quite varied. This is a matter of an industry specialty with blurred boundary lines because construction law careers offer a wide range of opportunity, for those that have interests in legal matters, contract clauses and their proper execution or lawyers that want to use past construction industry knowledge to incorporate an area of practice for their law firm.