“Dedicated, tireless, and passionate about client success.”
Representative Projects
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Construction Topics
Samples of Major Construction Litigation our attorneys have handled:
| Project | No. of Parties | Disputed Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Harbor Landing Condominiums, Seattle, Washington | 25 | $4.3m |
| Regency Ridge Condominiums, Federal Way, Washington | 10 | $4.2m |
| Bellevue Pacific Tower, Bellevue, Washington | 28 | $750,000 |
| North SeaTac Park, SeaTac, Washington | 4 | $1.6m |
| Large Locks Rehabilitation Project, Lake Washington Ship Canal | 4 | $1.2m |
| Grand Mound Wastewater Treatment Plant, Olympia, Washington | 4 | $700,000 |
| Bagley Wright Theatre, Seattle, Washington | 8 | $2.5m |
| Chehalis Middle School, Chehalis, Washington | 2 | $50,000 |
| Fairlane Plaza Hotel & Office Bldg., Dearborn, Michigan | 45 | $30m |
| Franklin High School Remodel, Seattle, Washington | 6 | $6m |
| Lakota Wastewater Treatment Plant, Federal Way, Washington | 3 | $350,000 |
| Minimally Attended Radar Stations, four sites, Alaska | 4 | $4.5m |
| Port Angeles Wastewater Treatment Plant, Port Angeles, Washington | 3 | $300,000 |
| Roosevelt Hotel Renovation, Seattle, Washington | 16 | $700,000 |
| Third & Fairfax Office Building, Los Angeles, California | 5 | $800,000 |
| University of Michigan Medical Sciences Research Building II, Ann Arbor, Michigan | 2 | $2.5m |
| Valdez Small Boat Harbor, Valdez, Alaska | 2 | $1.5m |
| Heights at Issaquah Ridge Condominiums | 2 | $10.3m |
| Ashford Park II Condominiums | 15 | $13m |
| Overlook at Juanita Condominiums | 12 | $6m |
| Linden Town Homes | 6 | $1.6m |
Construction
Liens and Collection
The Firm represents owners, major general contractors, developers and subcontractors in construction lien, collection and foreclosure actions. Firm attorneys have prepared and recorded hundreds of liens. Our expertise in lien foreclosure extends from simple two-party disputes to complex multimillion dollar disputes with 30 parties.
The lien statutes are technical, and many lien claimants lose their rights for the lack of proper advice before, during or immediately after the Project. Many claimants have registration, notice and/or mailing requirements that can mean the difference between getting paid and not getting paid. We advise clients the means to protect and pursue lien rights before it is too late. On the other hand, many owners pay on invalid lien claims because they do not know their rights. We advise our clients what claims are and are not valid under lien statutes.
Our expertise in collecting construction claims has led businesses of all types to retain us to collect unpaid debts. We have handled collection matters in retail, industrial, financial, technology, transportation and communications fields. Our presence on the Internet has generated a substantial national client base in collection matters.
Contract Drafting
We routinely draft, revise and interpret complex construction contracts, design-build contracts, joint-venture agreements, partnership agreements, and Limited Liability Company agreements for major development and construction projects in the State of Washington. They also draft simple, easy-to-read agreements for smaller contracts and subcontracts. The Firm prides itself on providing creative drafting and risk avoidance advice for its development and construction clients to address contingencies that can before and during construction and development contracts.
Claims and Litigation
Clausen Law Firm, PLLC attorneys have handled dozens multimillion dollar lawsuits for construction defect issues on both commercial and residential projects, as well as multiparty contract disputes among owners, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. The Firm uses document imaging, database management, and experienced legal assistants to evaluate and marshal the large number of documents and issues inevitably present in complex litigation.
Firm attorneys are especially skilled in construction defect litigation. The Firm has represented clients in a large number of significant construction defect claims, and we are intimately familiar with insurance coverage and construction issues that dominate these cases. Our experience extends to regular contact with major insurance carriers, as well as representation of homeowners' associations with major claims for water intrusion and resulting property damage.
Registration and Bonding
Performing construction work in Washington is illegal without proper bonding and registration. Firm attorneys work with businesses to ensure the requirements are met and maintained. Our contacts in the bonding and insurance industry help our clients do what is necessary to continue working in Washington state.
In many cases, a contractor or subcontractor goes out of business or declares bankruptcy, leaving a number of unpaid subs and suppliers. In these circumstances, a contractor's bond often represents the best or only way of collecting unpaid amounts. Firm attorneys have extensive experience in bringing claims within applicable bond or insurance limitations, to maximize the probability of proper payment being made.
The Firm is a member of the Associated Builders & Contractors.