William E. Burnett, Construction, lawyer

William is a senior managing associate in the firm’s Construction practice group. He advises clients in the planning, design and construction of industrial, energy and commercial projects throughout the country. He represents owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and other entities in all stages of the construction process, including project planning, front-end contracting, contract administration and counseling and claims management.

He assists clients in the review and negotiation of construction agreements. He prepares contract documents which are tailored to his client’s specific industry and requirements. He regularly drafts, reviews and negotiates standard industry and custom prime contracts, subcontracts, construction and project management agreements, design agreements and supplier agreements. He also assists clients in developing engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreements for solar and other projects.

Focus Areas

Advised national general contractor on construction disputes, compliance issues and regulatory issues on residential and commercial construction projects nationwide.
Advised communications client on solar power regulatory matters and prepared EPC agreements for turn-key solar energy projects.
Represented project owner in litigation arising from design and construction of a commercial boat store involving a breach of contract, delay, lien, warranty and defective construction claims.
Represented multinational manufacturer in the drafting, negotiation and administration of custom agreements for the design and construction of a fabricated metals facility.
Represented hotel developer in multi-party litigation arising from construction security claims on hotel projects.
Drafted complex construction agreements for an institutional developer for program of higher education construction projects.
Represented residential developer in the drafting and negotiation of industry-standard and custom construction agreements for the design and construction of single- and multi-family homes.
Represented major subcontractor in payment dispute on commercial high-rise project to successful resolution.
Advised clients in the prosecution and defense of lien claims, bond claims, change order claims and other construction claims.

“New York Passes Law to Reduce Retainage on Private Construction Projects,” Thompson Hine Construction Update, December 2023
“An Unfair Market,” Professional Roofing Magazine (Cover Story), May 2016
“Disputing the Details,” Professional Roofing Magazine, September 2016
“Prompt Payment Law Primer,” Georgia Utility Contractors Association Magazine, September 2021
“Common Construction Clauses Every General Practitioner Should Know,” Construction Law for the General Practitioner, State Bar of Georgia ICLE, February 2023

“Dispute Resolution, Remedies for Nonpayment, and Statutes Impacting Construction,” Speaker, ABA Forum on Construction Law Regional Foundations Program, Atlanta, GA, November 2, 2023
“Rebuilding America – A Conversation on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill,” Moderator, Atlanta Bar Association’s Construction Law Section Breakfast Meeting, April 27, 2022
“Using Escalation Clauses to Address Rising Construction Costs,” Moderator, Atlanta Bar Association’s Construction Law Section Breakfast Meeting, October 26, 2022
“Construction Law for the General Practitioner,” Panelist, State Bar of Georgia ICLE, February 10, 2023

William E.Burnett

William E.Burnett

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