News & Insights

Architect’s Contract To Observe Construction Did Not Create Duty To Ensure That Plumbing Work Complied With Design Plans

In Chicago Ambulatory Surgery Associates, Inc. v. Restore Construction, Inc., 2021 WL 4168597 (Ill. App. Sept. 14, 2021), an Illinois court held an architect that contracted to provide design drawings and make regular site visits did not also undertake a duty to inspect plumbing work for compliance with those drawings. The owner hired Restore Construction,…
Read More

Finra Adopts New Rules To Address Firms With A Significant History Of Misconduct

FINRA has adopted new rules specifically tailored towards firms with a significant history of misconduct. The new rules, which become effective on January 1, 2022, allow FINRA to impose new obligations on broker-dealers with significantly higher levels of risk-related disclosures than other similarly sized peers. The new rules would also apply to firms with a…
Read More

Can Texas Prevent Residents From Accessing A Public Beach

On October 11, 2021, Community group SaveRGV (“SaveRGV”) sued the Texas General Land Office, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush and Cameron County (“Texas”) for allegedly violating the state constitution. SaveRGV alleges that, by frequently and unpredictably closing a nearby beach for SpaceX to launch rockets at a nearby facility, Texas is violating its constitution….
Read More

Who Can Offer A Certificate Of Merit Against A Design Professional In Texas

In Barrientos v. Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., No. 13-20-00092-CV, 2021 WL 3411869 (Tex. App. Aug. 5, 2021), the Court of Appeals of Texas, Corpus Christi-Edinburg held that Texas law mandates that a design professional expert offering opinions against another design professional must be licensed or registered in Texas. On March 4, 2019, Barrientos filed a…
Read More

Florida Appellate Court Affirms Summary Judgment In Favor Of General Contractor Based On Statute Of Limitations Defense In Latent Defect Case

In The Cottages at Stoney Creek Condominium Association, Inc., et al. v. JDR Construction, LLC, et al., No. 1D20-956, 2021 WL 2209851 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. June 1, 2021), the Florida First District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s decision granting summary judgment in favor of a general contractor on a statute of limitations…
Read More

Mississippi Property Owners Not Required To Exhaust Administrative Remedies Before The Mississippi State Oil And Gas Board Prior To Bringing Suit

In Petro Harvester Oil & Gas Co., LLC v. Baucum, No. 2019-IA-01442-SCT, 2021 WL 3418398 (Miss. Aug. 5, 2021), Mississippi property owners Tay and Deidra Baucum brought an action against Petro Harvester Oil & Gas Company (“Petro Harvester”) for improper use of its oil-disposal well located on neighboring land.  The Baucums brought trespass, public and…
Read More