Infrastructure & Transportation

The attorneys that comprise our Infrastructure and Transportation practice bring years of practical industry expertise and deep insight into the unique challenges facing construction entities today. For over 40 years, our firm and our attorneys have helped clients navigate the challenges and ever-changing environment encountered when doing business in the construction sector. Our experience includes resolving complex construction disputes, including claims related to delays, acceleration, and defective design. We’ve represented clients in multi-million-dollar projects, through litigation and negotiated settlements. Our expertise includes regulatory compliance, warranty and subcontractor disputes, and fraud investigations.

We are experienced in providing legal representation on major infrastructure projects including airport expansions, freeway reconstructions, road and sewer projects, and other high-stakes ventures, while guiding clients through evolving challenges such as environmental regulations, logistics and supply chain risks, carbon reporting, fleet and equipment emissions standards, and advanced technologies implementations. We additionally provide counsel on public-private partnerships (P3s) and sustainable building practices.

As the construction landscape evolves, more projects are regional and international in scope, particularly in infrastructure development and enhancement. Businesses face new risks, such as supply chain disruptions, cybersecurity threats, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance, labor shortages, inflationary pressures, and shifting regulatory frameworks. Our Construction and Infrastructure and Transportation attorneys are well-versed in addressing these challenges, providing guidance on risk management, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance for multinational contractors, architects, engineers, suppliers, and project managers operating in today's global marketplace.

Construction firms are facing issues including the push for sustainable and green building practices, increasing use of advanced technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), artificial intelligence (AI), and modular construction, complex financing structures, and heightened scrutiny of P3s. Our attorneys offer counsel on compliance with evolving codes and regulations, including those relating to environmental impact, workplace safety, and digital project management. Companies in the construction sector can rely on Butzel attorneys for responsive, accurate legal solutions to their local, national, or international construction and infrastructure needs. We provide counsel that prepares our clients for today’s challenges—and those on the horizon.

The attorneys in our construction practices regularly present at industry seminars and legal forums and serve as arbitrators, mediators, and masters in complex disputes. The breadth of our expertise in the construction industry enables us to create inventive, cost-effective legal strategies tailored to the evolving needs of the construction sector.

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Successfully represented infrastructure contractors and subcontractors in connection with private works projects involving delay, interference, and extra/changed work disputes and prosecution of construction lien foreclosure claims throughout Michigan

Successfully represented prime contractor and subcontractor in recovering $1.5M claim for extra work on a Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge reconstruction contract

Successfully represented prime contractor in resolution of multi-million-dollar delay claim on Texas Department of Transportation Project (TxDOT)

Successfully represented contractors and subcontractors in numerous delay, acceleration, differing site conditions (DSC), extra work, defective and warranty work, and contract interpretation disputes with Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) in the administrative claims review process

Prepared an administrative appeal and concurrently prepared the suit for immediate injunctive relief, successfully preventing an award of a $14 million contract to the second bidder

Represented two contractors in connection with multiple local and federal fraud False Claims Act investigations of construction projects at a major airport

Represented prevailing contractor in a Conflict Resolution Team proceeding involving significant warranty work claim by Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)

Successfully represented subcontractor in prosecution of Miller Act Payment Bond claim in connection with United States Air Force (USAF) airfield reconstruction project in Kansas

Successfully represented prime contractor in resolution of warranty disputes and subcontractor disputes on a major freeway reconstruction project for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)