Nuclear Verdicts in Construction Litigation: Defense Strategies to Mitigate Risk, Notable Verdicts and Lessons Learned
A live 90-minute CLE video webinar with interactive Q&A
This CLE webinar will examine the risk of nuclear verdicts in the construction industry, address challenges for defense attorneys, and discuss lessons that can be learned from notable verdicts against construction companies. The expert panel will offer defense strategies to mitigate risk of nuclear verdicts—from developing the defense theory of the case, to voir dire and motion practice, to the selection and use of expert witnesses in trial.
Outline
- Introduction: the rise in nuclear verdicts
- Nuclear verdicts in the construction industry
- Why the construction industry is heavily impacted
- Notable nuclear verdicts against construction companies and lessons learned
- Challenges for defense attorneys
- Defense strategies
- Defense theory of the case
- Motion practice
- Voir dire
- Expert testimony
- Other considerations
- Best practices for counsel and clients to mitigate risk of nuclear verdicts
Benefits
The panel will review these and other key considerations:
- What has been the impact of nuclear verdicts on the construction industry? What are challenges for defense counsel?
- What are notable nuclear verdicts against companies in the construction industry and what lessons can be learned by counsel and their clients?
- What defense strategies may be utilized to help mitigate the risk of a nuclear verdict?
Faculty
Scott D. Cahalan
Partner
Smith Gambrell & Russell
Mr. Cahalan has substantial experience representing owners, contractors, subcontractors, engineers, architects,... | Read More
Mr. Cahalan has substantial experience representing owners, contractors, subcontractors, engineers, architects, suppliers, manufacturers and vendors in connection with construction, commercial and other business matters. His practice primarily consists of drafting and reviewing construction contracts, providing advice during construction and construction litigation, arbitration and mediation. Mr. Cahalan was the primary drafter of the Associated Owners and Developers’ AOD 2002 – Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor Where the Price Is Fixed or Lump Sum, and the Associated Owners and Developers’ AOD 2003 – Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor for Work on a Cost Plus Fee Basis With a Guaranteed Maximum Price. He has also given numerous seminars throughout the U.S. and Europe concerning construction contracts, implied contract obligations, claims, green building, construction insurance, and mechanics lien law. Since 2010, Mr. Cahalan has been an instructor at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he teaches Design and Construction Law.
CloseEarly Discount (through 06/13/25)