Deborah Cazan

Listed in Chambers USA, Construction, 2016-2022 Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Construction, 2018-2024 Construction Law, 2024 “Lawyer of the Year,” Atlanta, Construction Law, 2016 Construction Lawyers Society of America, Fellow Represented international general contractor in a dispute against a city and its design team arising out of schedule delays, defective design, and other claims made by the general contractor during the construction of a world-class performing arts center. Represented one of the nation’s largest office REITS in a claim against one of the largest construction management companies in the U.S. arising from water intrusion and other defective work on 824,000 square feet of newly constructed office space leased by a nuclear power company for its world headquarters. Represented independent power producer in a dispute (pending in the Southern District of New York) with an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor over cost issues pertaining to the installation of wet scrubbers in three coal-fired power plants. Contract price was more than $1 billion, and client argued that the EPC contractor overbilled for the work and ignored the terms of the parties’ contract regarding reimbursable costs. After several pre-trial rulings in our client’s favor, including the granting of partial summary judgment, the EPC contractor agreed to settle the matter days before a jury was selected. As a result, client avoided more than $60 million in costs assessed by the contractor. Counsel to large global developer in the prosecution of a multimillion-dollar construction defect claim against a general contractor in which 10 mixed-use retail and residential buildings in Atlanta were damaged by water intrusion. Repairs to the damaged property exceeded $16 million, and the client recovered more than $12 million in the settlement. Assisted multiple owner clients in mid-project disputes on troubled projects. This work included analysis of disputes (or potential disputes) to offer innovative solutions aimed at avoiding litigation; ensuring the owner’s adherence to the terms of construction/design contracts so as to best position the client in case of future litigation; managing termination of defaulting contractors; and drafting project “reset” agreements. Represented national general contractor against a student-housing developer in a month-long arbitration. Client asserted claims for delay, acceleration, unpaid change orders, and contract balance, and defended against the developer’s claims for defective work. The arbitration panel awarded the client $8 million, and the developer received nothing for its claims. Represented co-owner of the first nuclear power plant licensed and constructed in the U.S. in more than 30 years. The plant is a $14 billion project, and litigation arose out of three years of delay and $1.5 billion in alleged cost overruns. Represented the fifth-largest public hospital in the country in obtaining a judgment against a general contractor for claims arising out of schedule delays and defective work. Represented a general contractor in obtaining a dismissal of claims filed by a hospital owner that alleged that the general contractor performed defective work and failed to comply with warranty obligations.