News & Insights

Practice Area: Architects and Engineers

MASSACHUSETTS SUPREME COURT RULES PLAINTIFF’S CLAIM AGAINST DESIGN PROFESSIONAL FOR CONTRACTUAL INDEMNIFICATION IS NOT TIME BARRED BY STATE STATUTE OF REPOSE

In Trs. of Bos. Univ. v. Clough, Harbour & Assocs. LLP, 255 N.E.3d 596 (Mass. 2025), the Massachusetts Supreme Court (“Court”) held that the tort statute of repose that sets a time bar for filing tort actions for damages arising out of design defects was not applicable against a design firm based on the indemnification…
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TEXAS APPEALS COURT WATERS DOWN CERTIFICATE OF MERIT REQUIREMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY CLAIMS AGAINST ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS

Certificates of Merit serve a critical role in establishing professional liability claims against licensed design professionals. Texas is one of twelve (12) states that requires a plaintiff to file a Certificate of Merit with a lawsuit alleging professional negligence against architects, engineers, and other licensed professionals. This requirement arises out of the Texas’ legislature’s desire…
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ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS RULES STATUTE OF REPOSE DOES NOT OVERRIDE SAVINGS STATUTE

The Arkansas Court of Appeals for the Third Division recently held Arkansas’ statute of repose did not take precedent over Arkansas’ savings statute. Thompson Thrift Constr., Inc. v. Modus Studio, PLLC, 2025 Ark. App. 193, 709 S.W.3d 898 (2025), involved a dispute related to alleged construction defects in a housing complex built in August 2014….
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FLORIDA APPELLATE COURT REINSTATES PREMISES LIABILITY SUIT OVER UNMARKED CONCRETE SLAB, WITH DIRECT IMPLICATIONS FOR ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS

In Ortega v. JW Marriott Investment, LLC, — So.3d —-, 2025 WL 610824 (Fla. 3d DCA, Feb. 26, 2025), the Florida Third District Court of Appeals reversed a summary judgment ruling in a case with direct implications for architects and engineers working on integrated pedestrian and vehicle infrastructure. The Court held that disputed issues of…
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ALABAMA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS PROPORTIONAL INDEMNITY IN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

In JohnsonKreis Construction Company, Inc. v. Howard Painting, Inc., 2025 WL 877784 (Ala. Mar. 21, 2025), the Supreme Court of Alabama reversed a trial court’s grant of summary judgment that invalidated a proportional indemnity provision in a construction subcontract. The Court held that indemnification clauses allocating liability based on proportional fault—even in wrongful death cases…
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TEXAS ABROGATES PART OF THE ECONOMIC LOSS RULE

In Paradyme Asset Management, LLC v. Figurd, LLC, a dispute arose over the architectural design of an apartment complex in San Antonio, Texas. Paradyme Asset Management, LLC (“Paradyme”) contracted with Figurd, LLC (“Figurd”) as the architect. Figurd subcontracted with David Robertson and Robertson Architecture, LLC (collectively, “Robertson”) to actually perform the architectual design. While Robertson…
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LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEALS REVERSES SUMMARY JUDGMENT FOR ARCHITECTURAL FIRM

In the recently decided case, Holleman v. Golden Nugget Lake Charles, LLC, 2024-70 (La. App. 3 Cir. 11/27/24), the Louisiana Court of Appeals reversed the summary judgment granted in favor of an architectural firm.  Holleman involved personal injury claims brought against the Golden Nugget Casino and the architectural firm Bergman Walls for alleged injuries suffered…
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UNDERSTANDING MISSISSIPPI’S UPDATED ARCHITECT REGULATIONS: KEY CHANGES EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 2024

The Mississippi State Board of Architecture has significant updates to its regulations governing the practice of architecture. Adopted in May 2024 and effective as of November 9, 2024, the changes aim to modernize architectural practice, while strengthening professional oversight. The updates address licensure requirements, continuing education, practice standards, and firm registration, all of which are…
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LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL CLARIFIES ARCHITECTS’ LIABILITY IN PREMISES LIABILITY CLAIMS

The Louisiana Court of Appeal recently addressed the liability of architects in premises liability claims in Holleman v. Golden Nugget Lake Charles, LLC, 2024 WL 4897557 (La. App. 3 Cir. 11/27/24).  Plaintiff Martha Holleman (“Ms. Holleman”) alleged she sustained injuries after slipping on wet travertine tiles near the pool area of the Golden Nugget Casino….
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