If you're looking for a Chicago construction lawyer, chances are something has already gone wrong - or you're trying to make sure it doesn't. Whether it's a payment dispute that's draining your cash flow, a defect claim that's holding up a project, or a contract that needs to be right before the first shovel hits the ground, construction law touches every stage of a project and every party involved.
Brand Law represents general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, developers, suppliers, and design professionals in construction disputes and transactions across Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, Will County, Kane County, and throughout Illinois. We handle everything from mechanics lien filings and change order disputes to delay claims, contractor abandonment, and mediation and arbitration proceedings.
Construction disputes move fast. Lien deadlines pass, evidence disappears, and leverage shifts. Having a construction lawyer involved early - before positions harden and options narrow - often makes the difference between a problem that gets resolved and one that turns into expensive litigation.
Construction law issues don't always fit into neat categories. The service areas below reflect the core of our work, but are not the limit of what we handle.
We resolve payment disputes, defective work claims, project delays, and other conflicts through strategic negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, and litigation.
Learn More - Construction DisputesWe assist lien claimants with the preparation, recording, and enforcement of mechanics liens, and represent property owners in challenging and removing improper or expired liens.
Learn More - Mechanics LiensWe draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts for owners and contractors, with a focus on risk allocation, payment terms, change orders, and dispute resolution provisions.
Learn More - Contract DraftingWe represent property owners and contractors in disputes involving defective workmanship, material failures, code violations, and work that fails to meet contract specifications.
Learn More - Construction DefectsWe handle schedule overruns, disruption disputes, and acceleration issues for owners and contractors when projects fall behind and costs increase.
Learn More - Construction DelaysWe represent contractors and property owners in non-payment claims, retainage disputes, back-charge defenses, and other payment conflicts on construction projects.
Learn More - Payment DisputesWe assist with disputes involving change orders, including disagreements over scope changes, pricing adjustments, and unauthorized work on construction projects.
Learn More - Change Order DisputesWe represent property owners and contractors in disputes involving project abandonment, incomplete work, and the legal and financial consequences of a contractor walking off the job.
Learn More - Contractor AbandonmentWe represent owners and contractors in disputes involving concealed or unexpected subsurface conditions, including claims over rock, unstable soil, undisclosed utilities, and contaminated materials.
Learn More - Differing Site ConditionsWe represent property owners facing insurance claim delays or disputes with contractors after repairs - ensuring you are treated fairly and your property is fully restored.
Learn More - Insurance ClaimsWe represent clients in construction and real estate mediation, working toward negotiated resolutions with the help of a neutral third party before disputes escalate to litigation.
Learn More - MediationWe represent clients in binding and non-binding arbitration proceedings involving construction disputes, contract claims, and other matters where arbitration is required or elected.
Learn More - ArbitrationWe assist property owners in disputes with public adjusters, including fee disagreements, mismanagement of claims, and conflicts arising from adjuster-recommended contractors.
Learn More - Insurance ClaimsWe handle disputes involving disagreements over project scope, contract interpretation, and what work was or was not included in the original agreement or subsequent change orders.
Learn More - Construction DisputesWe represent contractors and subcontractors in disputes involving payment, performance, scheduling, back-charges, and other conflicts between project participants.
Learn More - Construction DisputesWe represent clients throughout Illinois, with a primary focus on Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, and Kane Counties - including Chicago, Arlington Heights, Evanston, Schaumburg, Skokie, Oak Lawn, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Lombard, Naperville, Bolingbrook, Joliet, Highland Park, Northbrook, Deerfield, Lake Forest, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Mundelein, and Waukegan, among others.
We Help Both
Legal challenges can stall projects and drain resources. That's where we come in. Whether you're an owner dealing with a construction dispute or a contractor waiting to get paid, you don't have to navigate it alone.
If you think you may have a claim - or just want straight answers - we're here to help you understand your options. Our Chicago construction and real estate law firm represents clients in Chicago and throughout the Greater Chicago area including Cook, Lake, Will, DuPage, and Kane Counties.
I'd almost written off the money I was owed. Todd stepped in, handled everything, and got me paid. I would use him again in a heartbeat.
Construction law involves a unique combination of contract interpretation, statutory lien rights, building codes, industry standards, and multi-party relationships that general practice attorneys rarely encounter. A construction lawyer understands how projects actually work - from bid procedures and pay applications to change orders and punch lists - and knows how to identify legal exposure that a generalist would likely overlook. When deadlines are tight and the stakes involve real money, that specialized knowledge makes a significant difference in both strategy and outcome.
Contact a construction lawyer as soon as you recognize a potential issue - ideally before it becomes a full dispute. Early involvement can help preserve your rights, meet critical deadlines like mechanics lien filing windows, and often resolve problems before they escalate into costly litigation. If you are entering into a new contract, dealing with payment problems, or noticing defective work, those are all strong signals that legal guidance will save you time and money down the road.
If a contractor has walked off the job or stopped performing, you should document everything immediately - take photos of the current condition, save all communications, and gather your contract, payment records, and any change orders. Do not hire a replacement contractor until you understand your legal options, because how you respond can affect your ability to recover damages. A construction lawyer can help you assess whether the contractor abandonment constitutes a breach, what notice requirements apply, and how to protect yourself financially while getting the project back on track.
Yes. If a contractor's work fails to meet the standards required by your contract, applicable building codes, or accepted industry practices, you may have a claim for construction defects. Illinois law allows property owners to pursue damages for the cost of repair, diminished property value, and in some cases additional losses caused by the defective work. Time limits apply, so it is important to have the defects documented and reviewed by a construction lawyer before those deadlines pass.
The most important thing you can do is have the contract reviewed by a construction lawyer before you sign it. Key provisions to pay attention to include the scope of work, payment schedule, change order procedures, dispute resolution clauses, insurance and indemnification requirements, and termination rights. A poorly drafted or one-sided contract is the single most common source of construction disputes. Having a lawyer involved at the contract stage is far less expensive than dealing with the fallout from a bad agreement later.
