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Spearin and Luria Bros: Two Cases Every Federal Contractor Should Know

By Matthew DeVries on October 11, 2011
Posted in Case Law, Federal Construction

Where is the best place to start when you have been away from work for a family emergency? Naturally, you go back to the basics.  In my next few posts, I review some of the "basic building block" or "essential" construction cases every contractor should know.  The first two are Spearin and Luria Bros.

U.S. …

After Two Rounds, Road Builder Wins $2.5 Million Bonus from TDOT

By Matthew DeVries on December 3, 2010
Posted in Case Law, Tennessee, Transportation

If you are a contractor, you love hearing about these types of boxing tales: Contractor works his butt off. Owner benefits from the accelerated work. Contractor seeks early completion bonus. Owner rejects the claim based upon technicality. Contractor fights in court … fights on appeal … and wins! 

That is exactly what happened in…

First Material Breach Rule Applied in Minor Construction Dispute

By Matthew DeVries on November 19, 2010
Posted in Case Law, Tennessee

I have often wondered whether there is such a thing as too small a dispute.  Well, the parties in Earl Faulkner v. Tom Emmett Construction Company (pdf) determined to take their $3,000 construction dispute to the Tennessee Court of Appeals.  In the end, the Court gave some good instructions on the "first material breach" rule, which…

The Spearin Doctrine In Less Than 140 Characters

By Matthew DeVries on March 24, 2010
Posted in Federal Construction, Green Building, Legal Trends

Today’s post is about the Spearin Doctrine, tweeted in less than 140 characters:

US v. Spearin: Owner designs. Contractor builds. Owner accepts. Work sucks. Owner sues. Contractor absolved. Owner loses.
Continue Reading The Spearin Doctrine In Less Than 140 Characters

MATTHEW J. DEVRIES

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