Welcome! This legal blog focuses on best practices within the construction industry. You have probably heard about lessons learned, peer reviews, project analyses, or even “what happened” conversations on the project site. At Best Practices Construction Law, you will learn that experience, legal knowledge and technology can help ensure success—whether your project is a public highway or bridge, a water treatment facility, a “green” commercial office building or a multi-unit residential development.At Best Practices, you can find thoughts, analyses and legal commentary about:

  • Matthew DeVries Best PracticesRisk assessment
  • Claims preservation, preparation and presentation
  • Technology in construction
  • Building information modeling and civil integrated management
  • Project management tips
  • Contract drafting guidelines
  • Legal trends and commentary
  • Alternative dispute resolution
  • And many more of construction’s … Best Practices!

Who is Matt DeVries?

Matt is a shareholder at Buchalter, a full-service business law firm that has been teaming with clients for nine decades, providing legal counsel at all stages of their growth and evolution, and helping them meet the many legal challenges and decisions they face. Buchalter has over 450 attorneys and offices in California, Colorado, Washington, Utah, Arizona, Tennessee, Georgia and Illinois, offering a wide range of business and litigation services to diverse clients with local, national and international interests. Matt is licensed to practice in Tennessee, Virginia and the District of Columbia, Matt represents clients on the East Coast and throughout the Southeast. He is also a single father of seven children, ranging from 25 to 12.

Construction Experience

  • Contract drafting and project administration;
  • Risk assessment and management;
  • Litigation and arbitration of disputes in Federal and state courts;
  • Industry experience includes transportation, highways and bridges, commercial and residential, public infrastructure and transportation, power generation and offshore drilling
  • Claims: acceleration; changes; cost overruns; defective construction; delays; design defects; differing site conditions; labor disruption and inefficiency; mechanic’s liens; payment and performance bond; professional negligence; surety; terminations

Court Admissions

  • Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Courts of Appeal: Fourth Circuit; Sixth Circuit; Federal Circuit; D.C. Circuit
  • United States District Court: Eastern District and Western District of Virginia; District of Columbia; Easter District, Middle District and Western District of Tennessee

Professional Associations and Civic Activities

  • American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry, Editor, Forum Online
  • Board Member and Legal Counsel, AGC of Middle Tennessee
  • Member, Scribes Society of Writers on Legal Subjects