Bid Protests, Bid Disputes and Public Contracting
– Linkhorst & Hockin, P.A. represents Contractors in connection
with the evaluation and prosecution of bid protests and public contracting
and procurement law issues, including bid bond issues. Linkhorst
& Hockin, P.A. also counsels clients regarding the submission
and evaluation of bids, including addressing issues associated with
bid errors and the refusal of Contractors to issue contracts to
Subcontractors and/or Subcontractors refusing to honor bids to Contractors.
Contract Drafting and Negotiation
– Linkhorst & Hockin, P.A. has extensive experience representing
Owners, General Contractors, Subcontractors and Equipment Rental
Companies with the drafting and negotiation of Construction Contracts,
Purchase Orders, Rental Agreements other forms of construction documentation.
We are familiar with the various notice requirements which, under
Florida Law must be included within certain construction contracts,
have the means to evaluate the enforceability of key clauses in
construction contracts including those involving: indemnity obligations,
“pay when paid” issues, “no damage for delay,”
liquidated damages and arbitration and mediation agreements. We
encourage our clients to allow us to counsel them beginning at the
earliest stages of a project though completion. Our experience with
the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts ranges from
those for small office build-outs and residential projects, to projects
ranging in value in excess of $70 million.
Contract Administration
– In addition to having extensive experience drafting and
negotiating construction contracts, Linkhorst & Hockin, P.A.
provides cost effective contract administration and risk assessment/management
services, including interim reviews of project status and counseling
with regard to the interpretation of construction documents including
releases and statements of account and key construction contract
clauses including those involving: indemnification, payment, change
orders, differing site conditions, delay and termination.
Default
and Convenience Terminations – As not all construction
projects run as smoothly as our clients would like, Linkhorst &
Hockin, P.A. counsels clients with regard to work suspensions and
terminations of construction contracts, including situations involving
terminations for cause and terminations for convenience.
Defective
“Chinese Drywall” Claims – Linkhorst
& Hockin, P.A. provides representation to owners of property
containing defective Chinese Drywall. It is estimated that tens
of thousands of homes throughout the United States, with a substantial
number of those in the State of Florida, were constructed using
defective “Chinese Drywall.” Defective Chinese Drywall
is believed to cause corrosion to metal including copper electrical
wiring and copper piping and off-gasses potentially harmful chemicals.
Linkhorst & Hockin, P.A. is affiliated with the Chinese Drywall
Legal Network, which is a group of law firms who provide representation
in connection with defective Chinese Drywall claims throughout the
Southeastern United States. Our Network provides Linkhorst &
Hockin, P.A. with access to the key committees that are spearheading
the effort to combat this problem through the Multi-District Litigation
(MDL) Panel in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Louisiana as well as a wealth of knowledge and experience
to draw on in order to provide representation to our clients.
Defective Construction –
Linkhorst & Hockin, P.A. represents both plaintiffs and defendants
in construction defect disputes. We have a substantial amount of
experience representing Contractors, Subcontractors and Owners,
including Condominium Owners in disputes over the quality of construction
and construction contract warranty claims. We counsel clients with
regard to the applicability and compliance with Florida Statute
chapter 558, which requires certain notices to be furnished as preconditions
to the institution of lawsuits over defective construction.
Delay, Inefficiency, Impact and Scheduling
Claims – Linkhorst & Hockin, P.A. represents
Contractors, Subcontractors and Owners in disputes over the timeliness
and efficiency of performance on construction projects. Such representation
typically involves the employment of Construction Consultants, the
use of Critical Path Method (CPM) based scheduling analysis and
the preparation of detailed reports in support or opposition to
such claims for delay and/or inefficiency.
Design Professional Liability and
Defective Design Documents – Linkhorst & Hockin,
P.A. regularly represents Owner and Contractors in connection with
disputes with Construction Design Professionals such as Architects
and Engineers. Such claims arise when the Design Professionals’
work falls below the standard of care for their discipline and warrants
the assertion of professional malpractice claims which lead to damages
suffered by Owner and Contractors alike.
Dispute Resolution – Litigation,
Mediation and Arbitration – Linkhorst & Hockin,
P.A.’s practice is first and foremost one devoted to the litigation
of construction and commercial disputes. Such practice includes
the preparation and filing of all forms of court papers, participation
in depositions, appearances in both Florida State and Federal Courts
for hearings as well as jury and non-jury trials, before arbitration
panels and various governmental agencies throughout the State of
Florida. We also regularly mediate cases with the goal of trying
to help our clients avoid unnecessary litigation costs.
Florida Construction Lien Law,
Foreclosure and Defense – A core component of the
practice of Linkhorst & Hockin, P.A. involves addressing issues
arising under the Florida Construction Lien Law. The Florida Construction
Lien Law was enacted by the Florida Legislature with the goal of
protecting the rights of all parties to the construction process,
including Owners, Contractors and Subcontractors. We regularly counsel
Owners, Contractors and Subcontractors as to their rights and obligations
under this complex body of Florida Law. We provide assistance with
the drafting and interpretation of all of the various types of forms
contemplated by the Florida Construction Lien Law including: Notices
of Commencement, Notices to Owner, Sworn Statements of Account,
Lien Releases, Payment Bonds and Claims of Lien. Linkhorst &
Hockin, P.A. also prepares and records claims of lien and represents
Contractors and Subcontractors as well as Owners in connection with
Construction Lien Foreclosure actions and the defense of such actions.
Payment and Performance Bond Claims
and Defense – We have extensive experience representing
Contractors, Subcontractors, Owners and Sureties in connection with
both the prosecution and defense of payment bond and performance
bond claims. Such representation includes asserting payment bond
claims under Florida Statutes 713.23 and 255.05 and the Federal
Miller Act.
Surety Issues –
In addition to representing parties with regard to payment and performance
bond claims and defenses, Linkhorst & Hockin, P.A. represents
parties who are negotiating with sureties including assistance with
the underwriting process and evaluation of general agreements of
indemnity.
Other Practice Areas:
Commercial Law and Commercial Litigation
– In addition to our Construction Law Practice, Linkhorst
& Hockin, P.A. also provides representation for clients in connection
with a broad range of commercial matters. Such representation includes
the handling of general business disputes including breach of contract
matters, vendor/vendee disputes, partnership and corporate disputes,
commercial collection matters, deceptive trade practice claims and
defense and business torts.
Insurance
Law – Linkhorst & Hockin, P.A. provides representation
to parties involving a wide range of insurance issues. This area
of our practice includes representing Insurance Companies in defending
various types of claims, including those for construction defects,
professional malpractice and errors and omissions claims. We also
represent clients who may have been denied insurance coverage by
their own insurance companies and/or against insurance agents and
agencies for failing to properly represent their clients and insureds
interests.
Real Estate and
Landlord/Tenant – As a compliment to our Construction
Law practice, Linkhorst & Hockin, P.A. also represents parties
to Real Property disputes. Such representation ranges from representing
Real Estate Developers who may be fighting with purchasers or prospective
purchasers, to disputes over the refund of purchase money deposits,
escrow and real estate commission disputes and landlord-tenant matter,
including both commercial and residential evictions. We also assist
our clients with the drafting and negotiation of real estate contracts
and leases.
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