April’s topic isn’t something we talk about much but it’s vital to support our firm leaders and design professionals – legal risk.  Legal considerations and decisions impact EVERY area of a firm’s business – their work product, their reputations, and their designs.  Design professionals have inherently risky jobs, which is why many firms today have (or should have) legal counsel to ensure designers are acting within the letter of the law. When it comes to legal considerations, professionals must implement a series of systems and processes to ensure that they protect themselves. A design flaw or a poorly executed contract can have catastrophic safety and financial implications. If you don’t have all your legal ducks in a row, or you’ve ever wished you could understand the legal side of things with confidence, get ready because there’s so much in this upcoming presentation with Tom Owens and Fraser Mendel from Mendel Owens.

Tom and Fraser are Partners in the firm Mendel Owens PS. Mendel Owens is a boutique Seattle law firm representing clients from across the United States, Asia and Europe.  They bring decades of experience as attorneys with business backgrounds, who have deep experience with intellectual property, and know how to get the work done. This presentation will empower you with a framework to ask the right questions, to learn about the major risks that design professionals might encounter, get tips for managing them, and find out what professional liability insurance actually covers.

• Client selection
• Project selection
• Relationship
• Contract
• QC
• Scope
• Cost management
• Communication
• Disaster Response

No-shows and cancelations after April 14 will not be refunded. Registration for this business practice webinar closes noon on April 20 (PST).

Tom Owens has been representing clients for over 25 years. He is a construction and business lawyer with a strong background in design professional law and contract negotiation with a passion to help his clients build their businesses and negotiate good deals. Tom was an independent business person – electrical contractor – in the construction industry before he went to law school. Tom began in private practice representing construction owners and small businesses. He became General Counsel for a major multinational architecture firm early in his career. After 13 years with the architecture firm Tom transitioned back to private practice. His clients are predominately design professionals and independent business people or their companies. He has participated in negotiating several integrated project delivery contracts. Tom’s practice today includes drafting, reviewing and negotiating professional design services contacts.  He also consults and trains on risk management, he will help manage litigation and he can advise on compliance, business structure and entity formation.

Fraser Mendel has been representing clients for over 25 years in the United States, China, and other countries. He is a technology and business lawyer with a strong background in taxation, years of experience on the ground in China, and a deep passion for helping clients build their businesses. Many clients have been design professionals and technology companies in the United States, China, and Europe. Fraser frequently teaches, writes and speaks at events about international technology transactions and doing business in China. While he has worked on projects in many countries, he has particular expertise in China having been based in Beijing for 12 years and another 5 years in Taiwan.

Join SDA