News2022-04-20T14:42:53-04:00

Design and Construction Defect Claims Seldom Offer Obvious Allocations of Liability

Design and construction defect claims seldom offer obvious allocations of liability.  Thus, it is critical for to have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of all concepts to be investigated. Prior to any analysis of the merits of the claim is performed, it is important to ensure that several critical steps are […]

February 19th, 2021 - 12:46pm|Categories: Construction and Real Estate Development|

Construction Contingency Clauses

Construction contingency clauses fund events or factors that arise during the course of a project. What constitutes a “contingency”, the process for releasing contingency funds, and how the residual contingency funds are distributed are often heavily negotiated.

The Owner and Contractor must negotiate the factors or events constituting a contingency.  They […]

February 19th, 2021 - 12:31pm|Categories: Construction and Real Estate Development|

Business Litigation Session Judge Dismisses Restaurants’ Covid-19 Claims Against Insurance Carrier

Courts have begun issuing decisions concerning insurance coverage for Covid-19 claims.  Kenney & Sams anticipated back in March 2020 that insurers would likely deny business interruption insurance claims related to Covid-19 because such policies generally require evidence of a direct physical loss to property to trigger coverage.  The Suffolk County […]

February 16th, 2021 - 12:35pm|Categories: COVID-19|

Construction Law Update: Massachusetts Superior Court Issues Order Strictly Enforcing the Massachusetts Prompt Pay Act, G.L. c. 149, § 29E

In a recent decision, the Massachusetts Superior Court awarded a $4,000,000 judgment to a general contractor for breach of contract where the project owner failed to strictly adhere to the requirements of the Massachusetts Prompt Pay Act, G.L. c. 149, § 29E in response to the contractor’s payment requisitions.  Although […]

January 15th, 2021 - 1:19pm|Categories: Construction and Real Estate Development|

Discrete and Separate Condominium Buildings Considered “Improvements” Under Massachusetts Statute of Repose

In a recent decision, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that the Massachusetts six-year statute of repose (G.L. c. 260, § 2B) is not tolled until the entire multi-unit condominium development is finished. The plaintiffs had brought a claim for construction defects in the common areas of the development. The SJC answered […]

November 20th, 2020 - 11:54am|Categories: Articles & Publications|

Two Sneaky Clauses That Present Unanticipated Risks

Line Item Guarantees

Virtually everyone in the construction industry believes line items in cost-plus contracts do not constitute individual guarantees.  By and large, this belief is correct.  However, those provisions are often stricken and their protection should never be presumed. 

Both the A102-2017 § 12.1.5.2 and the A133-2019, § 11.1.5.2 expressly […]

November 20th, 2020 - 11:50am|Categories: Articles & Publications|

Pitfalls to Avoid When Transitioning to An Unlimited Vacation Policy

An increasing number of companies are offering unlimited vacation days as a key benefit of employment. Known as “unlimited vacation” or “unlimited paid time off (PTO)” this trendy benefit presents several important legal considerations for employers and employees in Massachusetts and across the country.

For employees, an unlimited vacation policy seems like […]

August 21st, 2020 - 12:59pm|Categories: Articles & Publications, Employment Law|

Risks and Rewards for Landlords with Real Estate in Cannabis-zoned Areas

In July 2017, Governor Baker signed into law An Act to Ensure Safe Access to Marijuana, General Law Chapter 94G, which allows individuals over the age of 21 to lawfully operate marijuana establishments for retail, cultivation, manufacturing and testing. Over a year later, in November 2018, the first legal sale of recreational […]

August 21st, 2020 - 12:56pm|Categories: Articles & Publications, Employment Law|