Co-author Jackson Moore
Unexpected devastating weather events such as hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, fires and other natural disasters can strike at any time, leaving construction projects in disarray. While Mother Nature is often unpredictable, we can control how we prepare for and respond to such events through the careful drafting or understanding of force majeure provisions
In the face of increased tariffs, including a 14.38% tariff on Canadian lumber, the lumber market is undergoing developments that could have substantial implications for construction projects across Texas. It is important to understand how potential cost increases might affect project costs, contractual obligations and risk management strategies.
The Current Lumber Landscape
April 5, 2025 was a seminal day for both the construction industry and the Trump Administration. It was the day reciprocal tariffs on widely used construction materials were to go into effect. The Trump Administration’s stated goals for the reciprocal tariffs are (i) rebuilding the United States’ manufacturing base (including the defense industrial base), (ii)
A decision out of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas[1] showcases the practical challenge in the relationship between workers’ compensation and the pleading standards required to trigger insurance coverage. The underlying facts follow a familiar pattern.
Nautilus Summarized
Blazer Building Texas, LLC (“Blazer”) hired Ranger Fire, Inc. (“Ranger”) to
What’s the deal with inflation and interest rates? Inflation has been, unfortunately, a hot topic as of late. In the wake of COVID-19, inflation has caused rising prices and unpredictable market conditions that affect everyone from individuals to global businesses. Add in rising interest rates and it’s easy to see how the American economy can
Trump Imposes Drastic Tariffs on Imports of Steel and Aluminum
On February 10, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order imposing 25% tariffs on all US imports of steel and aluminum with no exceptions or exclusions, due to take effect on March 12th, 2025. Designed to boost the domestic steel industry, Trump’s plan
After a company has been sued, its immediate next steps should be twofold: consult its lawyer and notify its insurance carrier. The carrier should pick up the defense and provide an attorney to represent the company for a claim covered by the applicable insurance policy. The company’s current lawyer’s (who knows
The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) is now in full effect, and this comprehensive legislation establishes stringent mandates on how consumer-related personal data of Texas residents should be collected, used, processed, sold and shared. In the construction industry, businesses that market or sell goods or services to consumers, or B2C
As the Texas legislative session approaches, kicking off on January 14, construction companies across the Lone Star State need to start gearing up for their advocacy efforts. Early engagement is not just beneficial—it’s crucial for maximizing your impact in the Capitol and shaping policies that affect
For years, there has been a state-by-state push to restrict or prohibit non-compete agreements that limit workers’ ability to take a job with a competitor after leaving their employer. This movement to boost employee mobility and wage growth has now culminated in a controversial nationwide proposal by federal regulators. On April 23, 2024, the Federal