Dennis J. Powers concentrates his practice in construction law and commercial litigation. Mr. Powers' construction practice includes the representation of owners, developers, contractors, design professionals and lenders, in construction disputes in a variety of forums, including mediation, arbitration and conventional litigation, and the preparation and negotiation of construction, design and engineering agreements. Mr. Powers also represents owners, developers, and lenders in troubled projects, which has included litigation, workouts and foreclosures. Mr. Powers has litigated and tried disputes involving construction defects, delays, extra claims, and minority participation, in several forums throughout the country, and has been involved in the preparation and negotiation of contracts for projects throughout the country. In the commercial litigation area, Mr. Powers has represented equipment and product manufacturers and distributors in defective product claims and has represented owners and developers in real estate disputes.

Martindale-Hubbell rates Mr. Powers "AV," reflecting preeminent legal ability and the highest professional and ethical standards. Mr. Powers has also been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law and has been designated an Illinois Super Lawyer, as the result of research projects conducted jointly by Law & Politics and Chicago magazines.

Representative Matters

• Representation of a university foundation in litigation against a developer and contractor for defective construction of residence halls
• Representation of a power plant owner in litigation involving two power plant projects and $50 million dollars in delay and additional compensation claims
• Representation of the owner of a Michigan Avenue high rise building in Chicago, Illinois in litigation against a general contractor for defective precast concrete
• Preparation and negotiation of design and construction agreements for university stadium complex
• Preparation and negotiation of construction contracts, and acted as project counsel, for downtown Chicago hotel
• Preparation and negotiation of design and construction agreements for university residence hall and retail complex
• Defense of a curtainwall contractor in multi-million dollar delay and defect claims involving a downtown office building
• Defense of a wastewater engineering firm in claims for defective design and construction of a municipal wastewater treatment facility
• Defended a developer of a housing development in the South Loop area of Chicago, Illinois against claims by a general contractor for a multi-million dollar claim for extras and delay claims. Also prosecuted owner's defect claims
• Successfully represented a commercial equipment manufacturer against a motor manufacturer for defective motors supplied and incorporated in the equipment
• Obtained a dismissal of all claims made against a copper tube manufacturer by air conditioner coil manufacturers for alleged defective copper tube
• Representation of mezzanine lenders and borrowers in disputes arising from the foreclosures of projects
• Representation of a general contractor in a minority participation compliance arbitration arising from the construction of a major league baseball stadium
• Representation of a hotel in a claim against an architect for defective design of electrical systems
• Defended a developer in litigation brought by a condominium homeowner association for alleged construction defects arising from the conversion of an office building to condominiums
• Representation of a lender in a contested foreclosure against an owner of a series of diverse properties and defense of lender liability claims
• Representation of a lender in the foreclosure of a downtown office building arising from exterior facade failures