Verrill’s Construction Group is a dynamic, aggressive team committed to delivering timely, cost-effective results for owners, contractors, construction managers, sureties, subcontractors and design professionals in the design and construction industries. The group’s construction practice is both regional and national in scope.

        Our construction lawyers have experience in all phases of construction law including:

        • trials, arbitration and mediation
        • procurement strategy and project delivery
        • bid protests
        • contract negotiation and drafting
        • labor relations, employment and project labor agreements
        • risk assessment and management
        • insurance and indemnity
        • project management
        • claims avoidance and management including differing site conditions, delay, disruption, acceleration and productivity claims
        • construction defects related to design errors and omissions, construction means and methods, and product failures
        • mechanic’s liens and Miller Act claims
        • surety bond claims

        When claims and disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation, the group has an impressive track record of achieving victories for its clients in mediation, arbitration, and jury and non-jury trials in state and federal courts.

        The group’s construction lawyers are recognized as leaders in the field of construction law. Its members are regularly listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, among other legal industry honors. Group members are commonly asked to speak before construction industry professional and trade organizations on a variety of construction law-related topics and issues.

        Representative clients include:

        • Bowdoin College
        • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
        • The Jackson Laboratory
        • Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group, LLC
        • Landry/French Construction
        • Case Foundations
        • Sargent Corporation
        • Great Falls Construction
        • Ouellet Construction
        • Hardypond Construction
        • KGI Properties, LLC
        • Mechanical Services, Inc.
        • City of Portsmouth, NH
        • Summit Utilities
        • Sanofi/Genzyme
        • MCRT Northeast Construction
        Ratings & Rankings

        Learn more about the selection process for inclusion in Martindale-Hubbell, Chambers and Partners, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and others.

        People
        
 Tawny L. Alvarez
        (207) 253 4522
        
 Robert C. Brooks
        (207) 253 4456
        
 Michael B. Donahue
        (617) 309 2600
        
 Cassie Dufon

        Cassie Dufon

        Associate
        (207) 253 4648
        
 Regina M. Flaherty
        (203) 222 3109
        
 John P. Giffune
        (207) 253 4646
        
 Michael A. Hodgins
        (207) 253 4940
        
 Marie J. Mueller
        (207) 253 4758
        
 A. Robert Ruesch
        (207) 253 4610
        
 Jeffrey D. Russell
        (207) 253 4626
        Experience
        Represented developer of major resort and casino project in negotiation and drafting of design and construction management agreements for $350 million urban project and coordination of development agreement with host community. Represented developer of resort properties in negotiation and drafting of design services and CM-at-Risk agreements for multiple luxury beach resorts. Prepared standard forms of construction and design contracts to be used by hospitality provider's internal...
        Represented contractor/constructor of utility lines on multiple disputes arising from 500 KW extension; negotiation of construction agreements with public and private utilities. Represented tunneling subcontractor on payment claims arising from construction of Massachusetts wastewater treatment facility.
        Represented national construction management firm in defense and prosecution of claims arising from allegedly defective design and construction of major MA intermodal transit facility. Defended developer and construction manager against claims arising from the construction of luxury hi-rise condominium towers in a multi-tiered, mixed-use development project in Boston, MA. Defended geotechnical engineering firm against negligence and indemnity claims arising for the collapse of a...
        Represented regional medical center in negotiation and drafting of design services agreement and multiple CM-at-Risk agreements for multi-phase construction of a major medical/surgical center, advised on contract and claims administration. Represented international pharmaceutical manufacturer in negotiation of development agreement and design services and CM-at-Risk agreement for construction of mixed-use office, manufacturing, and incubator facility. Represented national...
        Prepared standard forms of construction and design contracts for national retailer to be used by the company's internal construction department in leased-space projects and trained company personnel on administration of forms and potential negotiation parameters. Prepared and negotiated standard construction and design contract for regional supermarket chain.
        Represented the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority in nine cases against design firms seeking recovery for cost over-runs and defective design on the Central Artery/Tunnel Project (Big Dig). Represented Massachusetts Turnpike Authority in various litigation and appeals arising from $200 million in contractor delay and disruption claims and resulting arbitral awards, Central Artery/Tunnel Project (Big Dig). Represented Massachusetts Turnpike Authority in suit brought by frustrated bidder...
        Represented national construction-management firm in litigation against a major urban university seeking more than $10 million in additional costs arising from the delay and disruption of a large academic building project. Represented national construction-management firm in litigation of a claim for delay and disruption arising from the renovation of a residence hall at a University in Connecticut. Successfully represented a private preparatory school in a claim involving...
        Represented international manufacturing firm in negotiation and drafting of construction management agreements for several major warehouse and production facilities, including a 1,000,000 square foot mixed use office, warehouse, and multiple-line production center. Successfully defended construction-materials manufacturer against a claim that it supplied defective cementitious flooring material for the renovation of a tipping station in Hudson, Massachusetts. Successfully defended...
        Our client was terminated as a mechanical subcontractor on a U.S. Navy project at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine for alleged delays. Our client and its surety faced claims for costs of completion of about $2 million claimed by the general contractor and sought recovery of about $500,000 on its claims for delays and wrongful termination. Following an 18-day arbitration hearing from March to December 2020 before the American Arbitration Association, our client prevailed and...
        Our client developed a biomass fired cogeneration power facility to sell power back to the grid and to support its sawmill operations. As part of this project, it entered into a $13+ million contract with the Defendant to supply key components including the fuel delivery systems, combustor, boiler, turbine- generator and related controls and equipment. The core of the case involved a defective turbine and inefficient combustor. The turbine was rejected as a non-conforming good. The Defendant...
        Represented one of the nation's largest geotechnical subcontractors in claims against a major general contractor arising from construction of pier improvements at an East Coast naval facility Led defense trial team in a four-week jury trial of a quasi-state agency in $22 million differing site condition claim arising out of the construction of $100 million marine terminal Secured dismissal of design malpractice claim arising out of alleged defective specifications on project for...
        We have assisted many owners, and contractors in design and construction contracting including: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Investment Management Company on over a billion dollars in projects in Kendall Square area of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Bowdoin College including Roux Center for the Environment, Museum of Art, Watson Arena, and Coles Tower renovations, among other projects. Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine: Multiple new building and renovation...
        Verrill represented Diversified Communications in the acquisition of a newly built $2.5 million solar array in Brunswick, Maine. The array, which was developed by ReVision Energy and went online in January 2018, will provide power to more than 100 businesses at Brunswick Landing. Verrill attorneys advised Diversified Communications on a range of issues in the transaction, including federal debt financing, solar investment tax credits, solar renewable energy credits, electric power sales, EPC...
        Events
        When: November 4, 2026 at 3:30pm-5:30pm Next Month
        Location: Freeport, Maine
        People: A. Robert Ruesch
        When: May 5, 2026
        Location: Augusta, ME
        People: A. Robert Ruesch
        When: April 30 - May 1, 2026
        Location: Washington, DC
        People: A. Robert Ruesch
        When: February 27, 2026 at 9:00am - 2:30pm
        Location: Natick, MA
        People: A. Robert Ruesch
        When: September 3-5, 2025
        Location: Louisville, KY
        People: A. Robert Ruesch
        When: May 20, 2025 at 3:00pm – 5:00pm (EDT)
        Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport, ME
        People: A. Robert Ruesch

        Firm Highlights

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