CIEN E4134: Construction Industry Law

Course Overview

Construction law is not a single body of law, but rather the application of multiple legal disciplines across the construction industry—encompassing construction, engineering, and architecture—to govern the creation of the built environment. Over the course of the semester, you will consider a wide range of legal concepts and practices that compose construction law.  

Given the expansive and interdisciplinary nature of construction law, this course adopts a pragmatic approach, emphasizing core principles across the field. The primary goal is to equip you with the legal intuition to identify and ask the right questions when issues arise. 

Topics include contracts and contract law, subcontracting, public procurement, project delivery methods, delay analysis, dispute resolution, bonds, insurance, and professional liability, all from the perspective of practical application. Case studies will develop your understanding of how legal issues and concepts are applied to regular practices in the industry.   

Course Instructor

Steven M. Charney

Adjunct Professor & Chairman of Peckar & Abramson

Steven M. Charney is the Chairman of Peckar & Abramson, the largest construction law practice in the United States, having assumed that role in 2007. He has been a practicing construction lawyer since 1987, litigating, mediating and arbitrating a wide array of construction related disputes and serving as lead counsel negotiating large and complex construction transactions. 

Charney continues to represent contractors and developers both in the United States and globally, and has served clients in connection with many high profile projects, including sports and entertainment stadiums, international pipelines, manufacturing facilities, airports, travel and hospitality facilities, and commercial and residential towers.

Throughout his career, Charney has addressed emerging issues facing the construction and development industries. This includes leading a task force that secured $1 billion in federal legislative funding and establishing a captive insurance company to provide coverage for over 200 contractors and engineers in the aftermath of 9/11.

He regularly speaks on emerging issues, including lectures to the American Bar Association, American College of Construction Lawyers, Practicing Law Institute, American Arbitration Association, AGC, and various universities, organizations and leading construction companies. 

Charney is a fellow in the American College of Construction Lawyers, has been awarded the Gold Coin by the AGC of America, and is regularly recognized in publications including Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers and Chambers USA, which placed him among the few construction lawyers included in "Band 1".