We have extensive experience representing individuals and entities, including general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, and engineers, as well as their insurance companies, before federal and state courts, arbitral tribunals, administrative agencies and at mediations in a wide range of complex matters including:

  • Job site accidents: We defend catastrophic injury and death claims arising from construction projects.
  • Construction defects: We represent general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in claims for defective conditions in complex commercial and residential construction projects.
  • Professional liability claims: We represent architects and engineers in professional liability claims.
  • Defective products: We defend general contractors, subcontractors, and building component manufacturers in numerous types of product liability litigation.
  • Fire Loss: We defend general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and manufacturers in commercial and residential fire loss claims arising from building construction and components.
  • Environmental and toxic torts: We handle “sick building” syndrome, mold, asbestos, and lead paint claims as well as contaminated ground water claims.
  • Intellectual property:  We handle matters involving design theft and design protection.
  • Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) violations: We represent construction entities against allegations of OSHA violations before the North Carolina Department of Labor.

In addition, we counsel and represent construction companies and related entities on a wide variety of other legal issues, including:

  • Contract drafting, review, and negotiation: We regularly provide advice and representation to clients at all stages of contract development to help minimize and avoid claims and disputes. We assist with everything from drafting and negotiating construction contracts all the way through reviewing and establishing contract administration procedures.
  • Employment law and workforce management issues.
  • Workers’ compensation: We evaluate and provide workers’ compensation defense under Wrap Up policies such as Owner Controlled Insurance Programs (“OCIP”) and Contractor Controlled Insurance Program (“CCIP”) policies.
  • Appellate issues: We have successfully* brought appeals before the North Carolina Court of Appeals and North Carolina Supreme Court on significant legal issues affecting the construction industry, such as the “completed and accepted work” doctrine, Woodson claims, and the “inherently dangerous work” doctrine.

Construction law cases can be intensive in terms of document production and discovery. We will guide you through the entire process, beginning with effective pre-suit scene investigation procedures, post-suit responses, site inspections, eDiscovery and through trial, if necessary. We will help you identify opportunities for early resolution to avoid unnecessary costs associated with protracted discovery.

Daniel G. Katzenbach, chair of the Construction Law Practice Group, has more than 15 years of experience representing construction companies and their insurance companies.

The Construction Law Practice Group covers all of North Carolina from offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington. Please contact Daniel G. Katzenbach in Raleigh or Rebecca Knudson in Wilmington.

*Cases or matters referenced do not represent the firm’s entire record. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon a lawyer’s or a law firm’s past results.

Most Recent Posts

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Maxwell Shafer Joins Cranfill Sumner LLP

Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Maxwell Shafer has joined the firm’s Wilmington office as an associate attorney. He focuses his practice in the civil litigation practice group handling admiralty and construction law matters.… Read More

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C. Andrew Dandison Joins Cranfill Sumner LLP

Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that C. Andrew Dandison has joined the firm’s Wilmington office as an attorney. He focuses his practice on Construction Law, Premises Liability Law, Transportation Law, and Admiralty and Maritime Law.… Read More

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Elizabeth Leonard Joins Cranfill Sumner LLP

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Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Elizabeth Leonard (née Larner) has joined the firm’s Charlotte office as an associate attorney. She focuses her practice primarily in Construction Law and civil litigation.… Read More

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Our Top 10 Resources of 2022

Throughout the year, Cranfill Sumner LLP’s attorneys work diligently to bring the most up-to-date information on North Carolina legal updates… Read More

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Peyton L. Derrow Joins Cranfill Sumner LLP

Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Peyton L. Derrow has joined the firm’s Wilmington office as an associate attorney. He focuses his practice in civil litigation with an emphasis on admiralty and maritime law and construction law.… Read More

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Dan Katzenbach Discusses Construction Law at NCADA Conference

Assortment of Well-Worn Hard Hats

Dan Katzenbach, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law), presented at a construction breakout session during the 44th Annual Meeting and Spring Program of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys. Dan’s presentation was held on June 4, the first day of the three-day virtual conference.… Read More

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Ashley Coghill Joins Cranfill Sumner Wilmington Office

Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Ashley Coghill has joined the firm’s Wilmington office as an associate attorney. Coghill focuses her civil litigation practice on Professional Liability, Admiralty & Maritime, and Construction Law.… Read More

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John Ong Presented at Civil Collaborative Practice Training

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John Ong, a Partner in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, was a faculty member for the Civil Collaborative Practice Training. The two-day program offered by the North Carolina Bar Association was held at the NC Bar Center in Cary May 21-22.

The event offered both basic and advanced training for collaborative law practice.… Read More

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Seth Beckley Discusses Expert Witnesses at Harmonie Conference

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On June 28, 2017, Seth Beckley presented “Framing the Expert Opinion” at the Harmonie Group’s Construction & Transportation Seminar in Dallas, Texas. The presentation explored ways to both prepare an expert for trial testimony and to attack opposing experts during cross examination. The seminar was held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Arlington, Texas.… Read More

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Rebecca Knudson Joins Cranfill Sumner Wilmington Office

Rebecca Knudsen

Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) announced today that Rebecca Knudson has joined the firm’s Wilmington office as an Of Counsel Attorney. Knudson will focus her practice on construction law, civil litigation, business law, professional liability, and community association law. … Read More

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John Ong Speaks at Civil Collaborative Practice Training

Builders desk with hardhat and building plans

John Ong will serve as a speaker for the Civil Collaborative Practice Training seminar sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section and Construction Law Section. The seminar will review the principles of Collaborative Practice, an alternative to dispute resolution that is designed to be private and cost effective.… Read More

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Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Listed Among 2016 Legal Elite

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Two Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) attorneys in its Raleigh and Wilmington offices were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program. Daniel Katzenbach, an attorney in the Raleigh office, was recognized for Construction Law, and John Martin of the Wilmington office was recognized for Litigation.… Read More

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John Ong Speaks at NC ASHRM Conference

Speaker at Business Conference and Presentation. Audience at the conference hall.

“Dance Your Own Dance—Negotiating Skills and Techniques” will be presented today by John Ong, Cranfill Sumner LLP’s Vice Chair of the Construction Law Practice Group.… Read More

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Williams Joins Cranfill Sumner LLP

David Williams | Business Disputes & Litigation Attorney Raleigh

Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that David Williams has joined the firm as an associate attorney based in the firm’s Raleigh office. Williams will support various practice groups within the firm’s general liability practice areas.… Read More