PORT SAINT JOE FLORIDA CONSTRUCTION EXPERT WITNESS
DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES

Amazon’s Latest Response to AI Data Center Backlash: $1 Billion

October 20, 2026 — Matt Day – Bloomberg
Amazon.com Inc.’s latest attempt to address the intensifying blowback to an unprecedented buildout of computing infrastructure: a commitment to spend more than $1 billion over the next five years on initiatives for the communities near its server farms. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Matt Day, Bloomberg

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Perennial Question, Perennial Answer? EPA and Army Corps Propose Year-Round Standard for WOTUS that Could Reshape Clean Water Act Jurisdiction

October 12, 2026 — Ashleigh K. Myers & Jillian Marullo - Gravel2Gavel Construction & Real Estate Law Blog
Federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction may be about to get considerably narrower. On September 4, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announced a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking that would limit federal authority over streams and wetlands to those containing water year-round—a “perennial” standard that would go beyond even what the Supreme Court required in Sackett v. EPA, 598 U.S. 651 (2023). The supplemental notice offers two options for revising the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA): One would define “relatively permanent” waters as perennial, and the other would require perennial surface water to establish a wetland’s continuous surface connection to a jurisdictional water. If adopted, either option would substantially reduce the number of streams, wetlands and other water features subject to federal permitting, with the sharpest effects in arid and semi-arid regions where rainfall patterns leave many waterways dry for portions of the year. Reprinted courtesy of Ashleigh K. Myers, Pillsbury and Jillian Marullo, Pillsbury Ms. Myers may be contacted at ashleigh.myers@pillsburylaw.com Ms. Marullo may be contacted at jillian.marullo@pillsburylaw.com Read the full story...

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Traub Lieberman Recognized in the 2026 Edition of Chambers USA

June 29, 2026 — Traub Lieberman
In the 2026 edition of Chambers USA, Traub Lieberman has been awarded rankings in the following categories: Illinois – Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer In the Chambers research, clients noted: "The team are technically very strong, responsive, and on top of their cases." Florida – Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer In the Chambers research, clients noted: "Traub Lieberman Straus & Shrewsberry distinguishes itself through a combination of deep subject-matter expertise, responsiveness, and practical risk-management orientation." Commenters went on to say: “The team has deep knowledge of Florida property insurance statutes, regulations and case law, enabling effective handling of disputes, appeals and third-party litigation." Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Traub Lieberman

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Amanda Mathieu Named to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly 2026 “Top Women of Law” List

September 21, 2026 — Lewis Brisbois
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly recently named Boston Deputy Managing Partner Amanda Mathieu to its 2026 “Top Women of Law” list, which honors leaders who have shown excellence, innovation, and meaningful contributions to the industry and their communities. According to the publication, “Top Women of Law honorees represent the very best of Massachusetts’ legal community—from accomplished advocates and firm leaders to pioneers, educators, trailblazers, and role models driving positive change throughout the profession. Their influence extends beyond the courtroom and boardroom, creating a lasting impact on their clients, colleagues, organizations, and communities.” “We are lucky to have Amanda as a leader in our Boston office, and a mentor to so many Lewis Brisbois Associates who are getting their careers started in the legal profession” said Managing Partner Ken Walton on this recognition. “This is a well-deserved honor for her, and I look forward to continuing to continuing to work with her as we deliver excellent results for our clients across the country." Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Lewis Brisbois

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Five Snell & Wilmer Partners Named to Utah Business’ 2026 Legal Elite

September 29, 2026 — Snell & Wilmer
SALT LAKE CITY – Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that five partners have been named to Utah Business’ 2026 “Legal Elite.” The annual recognition honors leading Utah attorneys who are making a meaningful impact in their respective areas of practice. Honorees are peer-nominated and selected by a panel of experienced legal and law enforcement professionals based on their legal knowledge, commitment to ethical standards, and professional achievements. Wade R. Budge is a land use and real estate lawyer with significant experience advising developers and owners in all aspects of real estate development. He has negotiated entitlements for master planned communities, industrials projects, retail centers, office buildings, subdivisions, and mountain resorts throughout Utah. He also regularly represents clients in the use, acquisition, and disposition of real estate projects throughout the Western United States. Budge has advised developers in obtaining public incentives and using public finance tools, including tax increment financing, to facilitate new and redevelopment projects, and regularly advises clients with government relations matters involving state and local governments. Budge has negotiated public-private partnerships with dozens of local governments and with every one of the state’s development agencies, including the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority, the Military Installation Development Authority, and the Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Snell & Wilmer

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What Massachusetts Contractors and Developers Can Learn from Cannistraro v. Columbia Construction

July 13, 2026 — Anthony LaPlaca & Luke Marston - The Construction Seyt
Introduction On June 26, 2026 the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued its decision in J.C. Cannistraro, LLC v. Columbia Construction Co.—a holding that sits at the intersection of Prompt Pay Act compliance and the Massachusetts Arbitration Act.[1] Most already know that the Massachusetts Prompt Pay Act (PPA) imposes strict timing and certification requirements for rejecting payment applications and proposed change orders on projects valued at $3 million or more. Most notably, the PPA requires the paying party to give the payee written notice of its approval or rejection of progress applications and proposed changes within 15 days of receipt, which notice must include a “factual and contractual basis for the rejection” and must be “certified as made in good faith.”[2] In the absence of a timely certified notice, payment is “deemed to be approved” unless the payor properly rejects payment before it comes due.[3] Reprinted courtesy of Anthony LaPlaca, Seyfarth Shaw LLP and Luke Marston, Seyfarth Shaw LLP Mr. LaPlaca may be contacted at alaplaca@seyfarth.com Mr. Marston may be contacted at lmarston@seyfarth.com Read the full story...

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The Best Lawyers in America® - Ball Janik Attorneys Earn Multiple Recognitions

September 01, 2026 — Ball Janik LLP
Orlando, FL, August 20, 2026 – Ball Janik LLP is pleased to announce that 24 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. The 33rd Best Lawyers edition recognitions are based on peer review and highlight attorneys across a range of practice areas. This recognition underscores the broad experience Ball Janik's attorneys bring to the firm's construction defect practice. "We're proud to be recognized by Best Lawyers again this year," said James C. Prichard, Managing Partner of Ball Janik LLP. "These honors reflect the expertise and depth of our team, our continued growth across Florida, and our commitment to providing strong counsel to clients in complex construction, insurance recovery, and litigation matters." Ball Janik attorneys recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® include: Keegan A. Berry — Construction Law Brian T. Crevasse — Construction Law; Litigation - Construction Todd Demetriades — Litigation - Construction Joseph R. Fitos — Construction Law; Litigation - Construction Megan A. Picataggio — Construction Law Jon E. Lemole — Construction Law; Litigation - Construction Salvatore G. Scro — Construction Law Nicholas B. Vargo — Construction Law; Litigation - Construction Kelly M. Corcoran — Construction Law Gabriel Z. Coelho — Construction Law Evan J. Small — Construction Law; Litigation - Construction Franchesco Soto — Construction Law; Litigation - Construction Phillip E. Joseph — Litigation - Construction; Real Estate Law James C. Prichard — Construction Law Ball Janik attorneys recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America include: Nicholas Passantino — Litigation - Construction Amanda L. Gonzalez — Construction Law; Litigation - Construction Morgan N. Lester — Litigation - Construction Chris S. Tribbey — Construction Law Kyle Bugden — Construction Law; Litigation - Construction Brian Tannenbaum — Construction Law Kayla Mosquera — Insurance Law Natasha L. Biela — Commercial Litigation Elijah C. Waring, Jr. — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants Greg K. Demers — Construction Law About Ball Janik LLP Ball Janik LLP is a Florida-based law firm offering construction defect, construction law, insurance recovery, and commercial litigation counsel, to its local and national clients. The firm was founded in 1982 and has expanded its capabilities, professionals, and geographic footprint. What started as a small firm focused on real property, land use, and litigation (known then as Ball Janik & Novack) has grown to a team of 70-plus attorneys and paralegals in five offices in Florida, with centuries of combined experience and capabilities. The firm has been recognized by Chambers USA, including for its construction law capabilities in Florida, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®, The Best Lawyers in America©, Super Lawyers, and Corporate International. Read more at www.balljanik.com.

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Connecticut Expands Construction Wage-Theft Liability and Prevailing Wage Recordkeeping Requirements

June 29, 2026 — Anand Gupta & Guest Contributor - Construction Law Zone
This post was co-authored by Labor + Employment group lawyer Christopher Costain, Hayden Eckblom (Summer Intern), and Pasqualina Fox-Mina (Summer Associate). Hayden and Pasqualina are not admitted to practice law. On May 11, 2026, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed into law Public Act 26-12, a wide-ranging bill centered around employee rights. Our colleagues in Robinson+Cole’s Labor, Employment, Benefits + Immigration group recently published a legal update summarizing the key components of Public Act 26-12. Here, we focus on the Wage Theft and Prevailing Wage concepts in the bill that directly relate to the construction industry. Wage Theft With exceptions for public works and small residential projects, general contractors will be jointly and severally liable for any unpaid wages owed to an employee of a subcontractor of any tier on private construction projects, beginning with contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2027. As we know, there is a separate regime for public works projects involving payment bonds. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Anand Gupta, Robinson & Cole LLP
Mr. Gupta may be contacted at agupta@rc.com

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