Since 1989, Lloyd, Gray, Whitehead & Monroe, P.C. has steadily and consistently grown from 4 to 36 attorneys providing full-service litigation for clients throughout the Southeast. We recently added another chapter to our history, opening an office in Florida to complement our headquarters in Alabama. We continue to grow and expand our staff, but ever mindful of our belief in staying lean and efficient. We serve our clients best with effective outcomes.

NEWS + MEDIA

architects and engineers

INDEMNITY PROVISION REQUIRING ENGINEER TO INDEMNIFY AN OWNER FOR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY MAY ENCOMPASS ECONOMIC LOSSES IN LOUISIANA

In Couvillion Group, LLC v. Plaquemines Parish Government, 2019 WL 6769614 (La. App. Dec. 11, 2019), Plaquemines Parish Government (“PPG”) contracted with Couvillion Group, LLC (“Couvillion”) to be the general contractor for the Project. PPG contracted with Professional Engineering Consultants Corporation (“PEC”) to provide engineering services for the project.

construction

CONTRACTOR’S BAD FAITH CLAIM PREMISED ON SUBCONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE BOND DOES NOT EXIST UNDER ALABAMA LAW

In Goudy Construction, Inc. v. Raks Fire Sprinkler LLC, Plaintiff Goudy Construction, Inc. (“Goudy”) served as the general contractor for a project for which Defendant Raks Fire Sprinkler LLC (“Raks”) submitted a bid to install a fire sprinkler system. 2019 WL 6841067 (N.D. Ala. 2019). Goudy accepted Raks’ bid and entered into a contractual agreement that required Raks to provide commercial liability insurance for the duration of the Project and was also required to provide a performance bond with Goudy as the owner. Raks complied with these requirements, purchasing the performance bond from Defendant Aegest Security Insurance Company (“Aegest”).

environmental

OHIO COURT APPLIES CONSTRUCTIVE SUBMISSION DOCTRINE TO CWA CASE

A federal district court in Ohio has endorsed the “constructive submission” doctrine as a way to require the EPA to set standards for polluted bodies of water when states neglect or refuse to set those standards. Environmental Law & Policy Center v. EPA, Docket No. 3:19-cv-00295 (November 13, 2019, N.D. Ohio). The Clean Water Act citizens suit, which was filed by two environmental groups, asks EPA to require Ohio’s EPA to adopt a legally sufficient and adequate Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for western Lake Erie.

employment

EMPLOYERS MAY REQUIRE CONFIDENTIALITY IN WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS

The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) ruled that an employer may now require confidentiality from employees involved in open workplace investigations. This resolves a conflict between the NLRB and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) and provides clarity for employers.

securities

FINRA RELEASES DECEMBER 2019 BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING REPORT

The FINRA Board of Governors met on December 4-5, 2019 to discuss the organization’s 2020 proposed budget, reaffirm its Financial Guiding Principles, discuss several operational updates, and approve two rule proposals.

Of noted importance to our clients, the Board approved two rule proposals to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Both proposed rules will be published for public comment within the year and must be approved by the SEC before becoming effective.

workers compensation

ALABAMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS FINDS EMPLOYER FAILED TO PROVE EMPLOYEE RETURNED TO WORK MAKING THE SAME OR GREATER AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE AND THE RETURN TO WORK STATUTE DID NOT APPLY

On October 4, 2019, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals released AMEC Foster Wheeler Kamtech, Inc. v. Chandler, -- So. 3d --, 2019 WL 4894327 (Ala. Civ. App. 2019), which found the employer, Defendant AMEC Foster Wheeler Kamtech, Inc., failed to prove the employee, Plaintiff Jimmy Chandler, returned to work making the same or greater average weekly wage (“AWW”) and that Ala. Code § 25-5-57(a)(3)i (the “return-to-work” statute) did not apply to prevent the trial court from awarding damages based on Plaintiff’s vocational impairment.

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PRACTICE AREAS

Architects and Engineers/Design Professionals

Construction

Coverage

Employment

Environmental

Fair Housing and Public Accommodation

General Liability

Insurance Fraud/Special Investigations

Medical & Healthcare

Professional Liability

Securities

Worker's Compensation

Architects and Engineers/Design Professionals

Architects and engineers are held to a higher standard of care. When disputes arise alleging a design or engineering flaw, these professionals may be exposed to liability claims involving their livelihood, reputation and professional licensure. We recognize the level of skill and knowledge required to vigorously defend architects and engineers when they are accused of failing to meet the standard of care. We represent design professionals throughout the country.

Construction

Every construction defect dispute presents a unique set of circumstances requiring the experience and versatility our construction litigation team offers. LGWM’s Construction Practice Group includes experienced attorneys who understand the issues and complexities involving building projects.