Construction Law

Neal & Leroy attorneys have an active practice in the area of public and private construction contract and dispute resolution. The firm has drafted construction agreements and handled construction disputes and litigation for public bodies including the Public Building Commission of Chicago, the Illinois International Port District, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, the Chicago Housing Authority, and the University of Illinois.

The firm has also been retained in areas including residential, commercial, and infrastructure development and public art installation projects. Those projects include Soldier Field, McCormick Place North, Chicago Circle South Campus Development, Lakefront Millennium Park, Chicago's Central Police Headquarters, and numerous public school, police station, fire station, and Chicago Housing Authority rehabilitation projects.

The firm’s construction lawyers were instrumental in facilitating innovative construction contracts for noted architect Frank Gehry’s performance pavilion in Millennium Park, construction of which was funded with a mixture of revenue bond proceeds combined with millions of dollars in private donations.

The firm's international construction contracting projects include its representation of the Republic of Mexico in contracting for construction of a new Mexican Consulate in Chicago and its representation of the French firm JC Decaux in contracting and subcontracting for construction of bus passenger shelters and related street furniture in Chicago.

The breadth and depth of the firm’s experience in construction law and construction disputes permits us to provide our clients with an efficient and effective means of bringing major construction projects to fruition with a minimum of friction and expense.

Our areas of concentration include:

Contract Drafting and Negotiation
Contract Litigation
Modification of Contract Forms
Surety Claims
Mechanics Liens
Construction Defect and Delay Claims
Concealed Site Condition Claims
Construction Cost Disputes
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Key Representative Matters

City of Chicago

Neal & Leroy served as legal counsel for the City of Chicago in a multi-million dollar litigation matter against the architect, contractor and construction management firms involved in the Façade and Circulation Enhancement Project at Chicago-O’Hare International Airport.

Public Building Commission of Chicago

Neal & Leroy provided legal counsel in preparing the construction contract forms for schools and public buildings, including a construction management-at-risk project for the Ogden Elementary School. In addition, Neal & Leroy served as legal counsel and resolved construction claims litigation arising out of construction of Millennium Park, Soldier Field, the Midwest Center for Green Technology, Chicago Police Headquarters, Chicago Center for Children’s Advocacy, and Bronzeville Military Academy.

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority

Neal & Leroy represented the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (“MPEA”) in developing and managing the procurement process for the $850 million design-build contract for the West Building of McCormick Place, including amending the Planned Development, procuring and negotiating the design-build contracts, and resolving disputes with the design builder in closing out the design-build contract. The process included a value engineering period followed by competitive negotiations between the two candidates for an award.

Illinois International Port District

Neal & Leroy served as legal counsel to the Illinois International Port District in claims litigation arising out of the construction of Harborside International Golf Center.

M.J. Electric

Neal & Leroy represented M.J. Electric in construction claims involving an electric co-generation facility in Zion, IL.

Material Service Corporation

Neal & Leroy represented the Material Service Corporation in the construction of reservoirs for the Deep Tunnel storm runoff and flood control project.