News & Insights

Practice Area: Construction

Supreme Court Of Alabama Finds That An Arbitrator Has Power To Determine Location Of Arbitration Proceeding Between Contractors From Different States

In Alliance Investment Company, LLC v. Omni Construction Company, Inc., the Alabama Supreme Court was faced with analyzing who has the power to determine the location of an arbitration proceeding –the arbitrator or the Madison Circuit Court. 2019 WL 1219416 (Ala. 2019). In 2015, KPS, LLC (“Kroger”) entered into a contract (the “prime contract”) with…
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Eleventh Circuit Interprets Georgia’s Prompt Pay Act

In Fatt Katt Enterprises, Inc. v. Rigsby Construction, Inc., a dispute arose between the general contractor, Rigsby, and one of its subcontractors, Fatt Katt, over Rigsby’s failure to pay Fatt Katt amounts allegedly owed under a construction contract. 2019 WL 972043 (11th Cir. 2019). Fatt Katt asserted Rigsby violated the State of Georgia’s Prompt Pay…
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Florida District Court Of Appeals Affirms That A Condominium Need Not Be Uninhabitable To Breach The Implied Warranty Of Habitability

In D.R. Horton, Inc. v. Heron’s Landing Condo. Assn. of Jacksonville, Inc., No. 1D17-1941, 2018 WL 6803698 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App., 1st Dist. 2018), the First District Court of Appeals of Florida affirmed a Florida Circuit Court’s ruling that a breach of the implied warranty of habitability did not require a condominium to be uninhabitable….
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Alabama Supreme Court Enforces Forum Selection Clause

In Ex parte Killian Constr. Co., No. 1170696, 2018 WL 5730138, at *1 (Ala. Nov. 2, 2018), the Alabama Supreme Court issued a writ directing the lower court to dismiss the claims against Killian Construction Company (“Killian”) based on improper venue.  The Court found the forum selection clause in the parties contract was enforceable, despite…
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Subcontractor Left With No Remedy Against Homeowner Based Upon Plain Language Of Texas’ Materialman’s Lien Provisions

In Precision Roofing, Inc., Appellant v. David Zavelson & Tracy Zavelson, Appellees, No. 03-17-00550-CV, 2018 WL 5852680, at *1 (Tex. App. Nov. 9, 2018), the Texas Court of Appeals addressed the validity of a subcontractor’s materialman’s liens. In October 2014, David Zavelson—but not Tracy Zavelson—signed a contract with Cox Development Corporation to remodel and expand…
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Court Of Appeals Of Tennessee Affirms Ruling Precluding Recovery By Developer Due To It Committing A Prior Material Breach Of The Same Contract

In The Manor Homes, LLC v. Ashby Communities, LLC, et al., No. M201701369COAR3CV, 2018 WL 3814981 (Tenn. Ct. App. Aug. 10, 2018), the Court of Appeals of Tennessee affirmed a ruling precluding recovery by the developer due to it committing a prior material breach of the contract. The case involved the construction of a house…
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Alabama Supreme Court Upholds Forum Selection Clause

In Ex parte Consol. Pipe & Supply Co., Inc., No. 1170050, 2018 WL 3083719 (Ala. June 22, 2018), the Alabama Supreme Court overturned an order granting a motion to transfer venue based upon a valid forum-selection clause. The Court held that the doctrine of forum non conveniens cannot be used to frustrate an otherwise valid…
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