Dennis J. Powers concentrates his practice in the litigation of construction disputes and commercial disputes. Mr. Powers' construction litigation practice includes the representation and counseling of owners, contractors, and specialty contractors, in a variety of dispute forums, including mediation, arbitration, and conventional litigation.

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.

Mr. Powers has litigated and tried disputes involving construction defects, delay and extras claims, Structural Work Act claims, minority participation, and mechanic's lien claims in several different forums, including courts across the country and before the American Arbitration Association. In the commercial litigation area, Mr. Powers has represented lenders and borrowers in loan workouts and foreclosure disputes.

Representative Matters

• Representation of the owner of a Michigan Avenue high rise building in Chicago, Illinois in litigation against a general contractor for defective precast concrete.
• 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 mezzanine lenders and borrowers in disputes arising from the foreclosures of projects.
• Defended a developer of a housing development in the South Loop area of Chicago, Illinois against claims by a general contractor for $8 million in extras and delay claims. Also prosecuted owner's defect claims.
• Defended a REIT in a claim for improper termination of a contractor. Also prosecuted owner's claims for over billing and delay in construction.
• Representation of a hotel in a claim against an architect for defective design of electrical systems.
• Defense of a curtainwall contractor in multi-million dollar delay and defect claims involving a downtown office building.
• 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 a university hospital in litigation over disputed fees for architectural services.
• Defended a hotel in a claim for additional compensation by an architect.
• Defense of a wastewater engineering firm in claims for defective design and construction of a municipal wastewater treatment facility.
• Representation of a curtainwall contractor in mechanic's lien and breach of contract litigation arising from a stalled downtown multi-use project.
• Representation of a multifamily residential developer in a dispute involving claims by a general contractor for extras and mechanic's lien claims by unpaid subcontractors.
• Representation of a lender in the foreclosure of a downtown office building arising from exterior facade failures.
• Representation of a general contractor in a minority participation compliance arbitration arising from the construction of a major league baseball stadium.
• Representation of a mall developer in closeout of shopping mall construction following nonpayment of subcontractors and claims by general contractors and subcontractors.
• Defended the owner of an apartment complex in a retaliatory discharge claim by building superintendent.