012 – Going Solo with Attorney Jeremy Baker Are you thinking about taking the leap and opening your own firm? Attorney Jeremy Baker was in your shoes at one point, and he decided to take the leap. Now, he’s running a successful solo practice and joins us to talk about his experience and provide some insight on his journey. Learn more about Jeremy at www.buildchicagolaw.com, as well as his other Read More
Seeing the Big Picture: Best Practices for Contracting and Risk Management
On April 14, 2021, Jeremy will present “Seeing the Big Picture: Best Practices for Contracting and Risk Management” in the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and American Bar Association (ABA) Forum on Construction Law. This presentation focuses on how you can protect your project with carefully crafted contract requirements and a better understanding of construction insurance. The link to Jeremy’s Read More
Strategies that Help Clients Comply with Accessibility Requirements
Some of the scariest risks I have helped clients address – in terms of potential claim value, meeting exacting performance requirements, and the inability to transfer risk by contract – relate to “accessibility standards,” like Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Housing Act (FHA). Some of the largest dollar value claims I have defended – setting aside those arising from “mega projects” costing north of Read More
Jeremy Baker selected as Leading Lawyer for fifth consecutive year
Jeremy has been named a Leading Lawyer in Construction Law for 2021, marking his seventh consecutive year of recognition by Law Bulletin Media. This is the fifth year that Jeremy has been named a Leading Lawyer, which recognizes the top 5% of licensed attorneys in Illinois. Before that, he was recognized for two years as an Emerging Lawyer, identifying him among the less than 2% of lawyers in the state under 40 or Read More
Jeremy Baker recognized as Illinois Super Lawyer again by Thomson Reuters
Jeremy has been named among the top 5% of lawyers in Illinois with his inclusion in Thomson Reuters’ 2021 list of Illinois Super Lawyers. Jeremy was recognized for his work in Construction Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, marking his third consecutive year as a Super Lawyer. He was honored by Thomson Reuters five times previously as an Illinois Rising Star - an attorney 40 years old or younger or who Read More
Construction Contracts Primer: What Real Estate Attorneys Should Know
On December 10, 2020, Jeremy will present “Construction Contracts Primer: What Real Estate Attorneys Should Know” to The Chicago Bar Association’s Real Property Law Committee. This presentation focuses on the importance of giving thoughtful consideration to the project delivery method, their insurance ramifications, and construction pricing issues, all before selecting the type of design or construction contract. Read More
Why Illinois Courts Often Favor Arbitration Over Litigation
The choice between arbitration and court litigation in Illinois is complicated. Arbitration is no panacea. Some disputes are definitely better suited to litigation in a court of competent jurisdiction than arbitration. However, Illinois courts and law are no longer hostile to arbitration, and recognize its many advantages. Why Illinois Law and Illinois Courts Favor Arbitration. Our Supreme Court has characterized Read More
How Guided Choice Mediation Achieves Earlier Settlements of Design and Construction Disputes
A version of this article first appeared in the Construction Law Newsletter, Volume 34, Number 3 (January 2018), coauthors Paul M. Lurie and Jeremy S. Baker Want to Resolve Design and Construction Disputes Quickly? Clients have spoken, and their in-house counsel, lawyers, and mediators now understand that clients want their disputes resolved quickly — faster than they typically are in traditional mediation Read More
Jeremy Baker inducted into the prestigious Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys
Admission to the Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys (SOICA) is by invitation only. Its ranks include distinguished former judges, highly regarded mediators and arbitrators, and attorneys who are widely considered to be at the top of the Illinois construction law bar. “Joining SOICA has been an important goal of mine for 15 years,” says Jeremy. He is “excited to continue to work with the SOICA members – the Read More
The Hidden Benefit to Thoughtful Contract Negotiations
The very act of two project participants coming together to thoughtfully negotiate a design and construction contract has a benefit unto itself – one that is separate from the piece of paper produced at the end of the contract negotiation. Why Are Good Contracts Important for Design and Construction Projects? Speed and Efficiency When I negotiate contracts, my goal is to complete the negotiation quickly and Read More
