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September 4-5, 2025 Nashville, Tennessee

Annual Update Seminar

Thank you for attending the Smith Currie Oles Annual Update Seminar in Nashville! We hope you enjoyed the program and found the information useful. Presentation materials from this year's seminar may be downloaded via the link below (password required).
Presentation Materials
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PHOTOS FROM THIS YEAR'S SEMINAR

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Melissa-Finnerty

Industry Insights

Jam-Packed Agenda

Hear from leading construction and government contract law attorneys and professionals on the hottest topics impacting your industry.

  1. Thursday, September 4 7:00-8:00 AM

    Breakfast and Registration

  2. Thursday, September 4 8:00-8:15 AM

    Program Introduction and Opening Remarks

    Joseph J. Dinardo
    Partner, Atlanta

  3. Thursday, September 4 8:15-9:30 AM

    Chart-Topping Project Delivery: The Progressive Design-Build Soundtrack

    Christopher M. Horton
    Partner, Fort Lauderdale

    Peter K. Buckley
    Associate, Fort Lauderdale
    This session will cover the basic differences between progressive design-build and other project delivery methods, including the differences that are making the progressive design-build project delivery method so successful. We will also discuss when progressive design-build is the right project delivery method and what states are accepting of it. When used right, the progressive design-build method tops the chart in project delivery methods and attendees will leave the presentation feeling comfortable with its application.

  4. Thursday, September 4 9:30-10:45 AM

    New Rules Of Fight Club: Different Ways To Resolve Disputes

    Eric L. Nelson
    Partner, Atlanta

    Morgan C. Eddy
    Associate, Charlotte
    This session will evaluate alternative ways to handle disputes, including lessons learned in the field. 

  5. Thursday, September 4 10:45-11:00 AM

    Break

  6. Thursday, September 4 11:00 AM-12:15 PM

    Johnny No Cash: The Contractor’s Duty to Continue Work During Disputes Under the AIA and ConsensusDocs Owner-Contractor Agreements

    Stephen M. Reams
    Partner, Atlanta

    Randi N. Thompson
    Associate, Atlanta
    AIA and ConsensusDocs publish some of the most widely used owner-contractor agreements in the industry. The goal of most industry form contracts is to reflect the industry consensus on risk distribution. One of the major risks surrounds who holds the cash during a dispute over payment. These documents require the contractor to continue performance even though it has not been paid for work or claims that it believes are owed. When a contractor must continue performance, the owner effectively becomes the bank. This can exert pressure to settle at less than desired amounts. This program examines this duty, analyzes how the courts have treated these clauses, and proposes alternative contract language.

  7. Thursday, September 4 12:15-1:45 PM

    Lunch

  8. Thursday, September 4 1:45-3:00 PM

    Reinforce Your Company's Construction Insurance Program: By Closing Gaps and Creating Cost Efficiencies

    Gregg Bundschuh
    Founder & Managing Principal, Greyling Insurance Brokerage & Risk Consulting

    Today’s market volatility places a higher focus on Construction Risk & Insurance. Many companies have not thoroughly evaluated the adequacy of their current insurance program in quite some time and common coverage gaps abound. This session will explore the following topics:

    • Umbrella/excess limits: How much is enough?
    • How to improve subcontractor risk management & insurance during heightened risk of subcontractor default;
    • Common professional liability, Tech E&O issues;
    • Joint ventures insurance coverage without surprises;
    • Successfully navigating Owner Controlled Insurance Programs (OCIPs);
    • Cyber limits and coverage enhancements you must have;
    • Effective ideas for cost saving opportunities; and
    • Your personal liability as a Construction Executive.

  9. Thursday, September 4 3:00-3:15 PM

    Break

  10. Thursday, September 4 3:15-4:30 PM

    Contracting in the Age of Trump

    James F. Nagle
    Of Counsel, Seattle

    Joseph M. Haughney
    Associate, Seattle
    This session will take a look at the major changes from the new administration that are transforming the way contractors must deal with and what they can expect from the federal government.

  11. Thursday, September 4 5:00-7:00 PM

    Cocktail Reception

    Virgin Hotels Pool Club Indoor + Sunset Terrace

  12. Friday, September 5 7:30-8:00 AM

    Breakfast

  13. Friday, September 5 8:00-9:15 AM

    Construction Risk Management: Evaluating and Insuring Business Risks in a Rapidly Evolving Construction Market

    Kirk D. Johnston
    Partner, Atlanta

    Angelia D. Wesch
    Partner, Seattle
    Evaluating and insuring business risks in a rapidly evolving construction market is vital to the success of every contractor. Failure to procure or understand how a company’s insurance program addresses risk can be costly. This session provides a comprehensive review of various types of insurance programs and policies including general liability coverage, professional liability coverage, builder’s risk, property, and equipment coverage. The discussion will also include a comparative assessment of different additional insured forms and endorsements, whether and when it is beneficial to specify additional insured forms in construction contracts, and how to utilize an insurance program to provide a solid framework for insurance recovery in the event of a claim. 

  14. Friday, September 5 9:15-9:30 AM

    Break

  15. Friday, September 5 9:30-10:45 AM

    Crazy Town: Federal Contracting in 2025

    G. Scott Walters
    Partner, Atlanta

    Howard W. Roth
    Partner, Seattle

    Jacob W. Scott
    Partner, D.C. Metro

    Allison G. Geewax
    Partner, D.C. Metro

    Mark S. Abrajano
    Associate, D.C. Metro

     
    A panel of Smith Currie Oles government contracts lawyers discuss significant developments and issues in federal contracting in 2025. Topics include other transactional authority (OTA), project labor agreements (PLA), contractor responsibilities under design-build and design-bid-build contracts, the last of the COVID claims, implementation of the Build America Buy America Act on federally funded construction projects, and significant construction protests. 

  16. Friday, September 5 10:45 AM-12:00 PM

    Time is (Not) on My Side: Scheduling Best Practices and Pitfalls

    Thomas R. Krider
    Partner, Seattle

    John Crowley
    Associate, Atlanta
    The schedule can be one of the most manipulated documents on a project. In many cases, they are not even followed to build the project and are used as nothing more than a payment tool. This session will discuss tips for developing a solid baseline schedule, accurately reflecting updates, and preventing multiple, inconsistent schedules from setting you up for claims. And if (or when) claims arise regarding delays, we’ll discuss how schedules can be used as a sword or shield during the dispute resolution process. 

Meet this year's

Knowledgeable Speakers

We are pleased to present our esteemed panel of speakers for this update seminar, one that we have held for more than 40 years. The construction law experience of the speakers is enhanced by the backgrounds of many who have construction management, engineering, or architecture backgrounds. Our firm is known throughout the industry for the education we provide, keeping abreast of the most recent developments and trends. This is borne out by the fact our firm’s attorneys have been instrumental in drafting and lobbying for legislation important to the construction industry working on association legislative boards, testifying before Congress, or assisting presidential advance teams. Read more to learn about each speaker’s professional background by clicking on his/her photo.
Mark S. Abrajano

Mark S. Abrajano

Associate, DC Metro

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Peter K. Buckley
Peter K. Buckley

Associate, Fort Lauderdale

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John T. Crowley

John T. Crowley

Associate, Atlanta

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Eddy_Morgan_3

Morgan C. Eddy

Associate, Charlotte

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Allison G. Geewax
Allison G. Geewax

Partner, D.C. Metro

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Joseph Haughney

Joseph Haughney

Associate, Seattle

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Christopher M. Horton
Christopher M. Horton

Partner, Fort Lauderdale

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Kirk D. Johnston

Kirk D. Johnston

Partner, Atlanta

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Krider.Tom.37_340x400-2

Thomas R. Krider

Partner, Seattle

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James F. Nagle
James F. Nagle

Of Counsel, Seattle

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Eric L. Nelson

Eric L. Nelson

Partner, Atlanta

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Stephen M. Reams

Stephen M. Reams

Partner, Atlanta

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Howard W. Roth

Howard W. Roth

Partner, Seattle

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Jacob W. Scott

Jacob W. Scott

Partner, DC Metro

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Randi N. Thompson

Randi N. Thompson

Associate, Atlanta

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G. Scott Walters

G. Scott Walters

Partner, Atlanta

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Angelia D. Wesch

Angelia D. Wesch

Partner, Seattle

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Gregg Bundschuh

Introducing our

Special Guest Speaker

Gregg Bundschuh

Founder and Managing Principal

Gregg Bundschuh is the Founder and Managing Principal of Greyling Insurance Brokerage & Risk Consulting, a leading insurance brokerage specializing in design and construction risk. Gregg advises clients involved in the construction industry and provides special expertise in complex infrastructure and international construction projects. Gregg draws from a unique background in entrepreneurship, risk consulting and specialty brokerage, as well as his experience as a practicing attorney and general counsel. He is a Fellow in the American College of Construction Lawyers and a former member of its board of governors. He is also the first Chair of the Corporate Counsel Division of the American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry. Additionally, he has served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association.

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"Great topic that everyone could learn about. Covered topics for owners, primes, subs, and suppliers."

2024 Update Seminar Attendee

"Very good discussion, very informative and educational."

2024 Update Seminar Attendee

"Very informative; great examples of using experience to give actionable tips as opposed to just sharing war stories."

2024 Update Seminar Attendee

"Great presentation - lot of info in a short time."

2024 Update Seminar Attendee