Holland & Knight LLP

Partner

Gregory R. Meeder is a nationally recognized construction attorney who handles civil trial matters in state and federal courts on a local and national basis, proceedings before governmental and administrative agencies, and arbitration and mediation proceedings.

Mr. Meeder was named the 2023 "Lawyer of the Year" for Litigation – Construction in Chicago by The Best Lawyers in America, but his practice is national in scope. Notably, Mr. Meeder has more than 10 years of experience handling construction conflicts in Texas. His neutral experience and training, together with his relationships with key subject matter experts throughout the country, bring added value to his representations.

Mr. Meeder's legal career focuses on complex construction procurements, litigation, arbitrations, mediations and the representation of public owners, property developers, underground contractors, construction companies, commercial banks, corporations, partnerships, not-for-profits and individuals with regard to multimillion-dollar construction matters.

Mr. Meeder's general construction experience includes structuring project delivery methods and reviewing, structuring and negotiating construction, design and construction management contracts; advising clients on contract interpretation and contract and project administration for commercial, institutional and public building projects and public works projects; claim avoidance counseling; public procurement laws and bid protests; construction industry labor and employment issues; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) matters; change order management; project close-out management; assessment, preparation and defense of claims; litigation and arbitration of construction-related disputes; and providing general business advice to premier construction industry clients. Mr. Meeder has handled projects including hydroelectric power plants, federal buildings, manufacturing facilities, fast-track office buildings, commercial and residential buildings, nationally known golf courses, highway construction, hospitals, wastewater treatment plants, airports, senior housing projects, tollway systems, underground utility, cable, electric, gas, fiber optic, telephone, water, stormwater and sewer projects, including tunneling, horizontal boring, directional drilling and other specialty work related to underground infrastructure projects.

Mr. Meeder has developed a niche in handling construction defect and design matters involving geotechnical issues involving hydroelectric power plants, industrial developments, transportation terminals, elevated highways, high-rise building and underground infrastructure. He also handles preliminary injunction matters on an emergency basis on behalf of construction clients involving asbestos regulation and environmental issues, seal orders and remediation actions brought by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).

Clients turn to Mr. Meeder to resolve construction disputes throughout the country, as he is known for his ability to quickly identify and address complex legal and business issues at the contract level prior to litigation, including multimillion dollar projects. As a member of the Panel of Neutrals for the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Industry, ADR Systems of America and the International Court of Claims (ICC), acting as an arbitrator and mediator in construction disputes, he has served as an arbitrator and mediator in 120 to 150 matters involving construction disputes, delay claims, differing site condition claims, terminations for default, construction defect claims, mechanics lien cases and geotechnical claims. His mediations and arbitrations have included mega-construction cases involving parties such as energy owners, national physics laboratories, national general contractors, large material suppliers, nationally known golf courses, specialty contractors and sophisticated owners of commercial, retail and public projects, including national developers.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Meeder has authored legislation on behalf of the Underground Contractors Association (UCA) and the Illinois Construction Industry Committee (ICIC) requiring differing site condition clauses in public construction contracts in excess of $75,000. See 30 ILCS 557/1 et seq. Mr. Meeder co-authored the first-ever strategic partnership agreement between OSHA and the UCA. The agreement employs a third-party administrator to significantly reduce exposure of construction companies and their employees to safety risks. Further, Mr. Meeder has held key positions within the industry that have provided him with strong personal and professional construction industry ties, experience and knowledge. He holds the distinction of being only the second attorney member of the Chicago Building Congress (CBC) to serve as president in its 80-year history. He also has served as a past board member as well as general counsel to the Underground Contractors Association.