LEVY CRAIG

Construction & Design

Levy Craig’s commitment to the construction industry is unequaled in the Kansas City area. Our attorneys have deep and direct involvement in several construction trade organizations. In fact, one of our attorneys was the first to be named chairman of the board of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Heart of America Chapter.

     • We know construction from the inside out. That means we can handle any aspect of the construction process, from start
        to finish. Retain us to:
     • Draft and negotiate bidding, contracting and change order documentation
     • Assist you when problems occur on the project
     • Represent you in a lawsuit or arbitration to help you collect payment

We represent clients at all levels of a construction project, including owners, general contractors, specialty subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals, sureties and lenders.

Although a negotiated settlement often is the best outcome, we know there are times when disputes can only be resolved through litigation or arbitration. Either way, we have the experience and knowledge to help you accomplish your goals.

Fidelity & Surety

The highly regulated environment in which fidelity insurers and sureties operate requires adherence to strict legal boundaries. To help these clients manage risk within the confines of the legal restrictions, a lawyer must possess both technical expertise and sensitivity to the complex issues inherent in the industry. With more than 90 years of combined experience, Levy Craig’s fidelity/surety attorneys merge meticulous research with superb critical thinking and technical skills to counsel clients and, when needed, to represent them in litigation, arbitration or mediation.

When claims arise on bonded construction projects, in business transactions or in developments or fidelity matters, Levy Craig steps in to help research, investigate and defend on behalf of fidelity insurers and sureties. We regularly help clients deal with routine coverage issues, as well as complex litigation and recovery efforts that represent multimillion-dollar claims. With a
coast-to-coast practice, Levy Craig has built a national reputation for its fidelity and surety expertise and results.

In counseling clients nationwide, Levy Craig:

     • Advises sureties on options and strategies to resolve payment and performance bond claims
     • Investigates, defends and advises on coverage issues in a wide variety of fidelity matters involving employee dishonesty
       and of faithful performance claims
     • Evaluates payment and performance bond claims of all kinds of projects
     • Provides on-site construction evaluation services
     • Manages asset, fidelity and salvage recovery
     • Provides legal opinions regarding all aspects of fidelity and surety law
     • Represents clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts
     • Handles protection, negotiation, litigation and maximizing recoveries of indemnity and subrogation rights

Levy Craig attorneys represent:

Construction industry participants, including:
– General and specialty contractors
– Subcontractors
– Suppliers
– Designers

     • Surety companies that write several performance, payment, bid, commercial and miscellaneous forms of bonds
     • Sureties and contractors in government contract matters
     • Insurance companies in alleged construction defect claims

Real Estate / Development

Commercial real estate transactions, which often involve multiple stakeholders, myriad end goals and extensive complexities, can sometimes take on lives of their own. Levy Craig simplifies the process, applying expertise honed in a well-established and growing real estate practice. Developers, property owners, purchasers, lenders, borrowers and investors regularly turn to us to provide resourceful solutions and complete seamless, cost-effective transactions.

At the outset of a transaction, we get to know your company well so we can fully understand your objectives. We then identify the difficulties you may face during the process, and develop approaches to mitigate potential problems. As needed, we also draw on the experience of attorneys within our construction, corporate, litigation and tax practices.

Our attorneys’ experience in and knowledge of the real estate marketplace ensures that our clients consistently receive responsive service and flexible, well-thought-out solutions to any challenges that may arise.

Our expertise includes:

     • Acquisition and disposition of major real estate nationwide
     • Lender representation
     • Financing and syndicating real estate and business assets
     • Troubled loan workouts and restructuring
     • Creditor’s rights
     • Development and leasing
     • Zoning and land compliance
     • Building code compliance
     • Construction and renovation
     • Municipal law
     • Environmental issues
     • Tax increment financing and benefits districts
     • Our clients have included partnerships, REITs, limited liability companies and corporate entities.