Millions Of Dollars Recovered For Our Clients.
Dedicated & Tenacious Litigation Lawyers in Indianapolis
Construction projects involve more moving parts than almost any other kind of business relationship. Owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, and sureties are all connected by a web of contracts, and a problem with one piece of that chain can quickly affect everyone else. Construction litigation covers the disputes that arise out of building projects, including payment disagreements, delays, defective work, and disputes over the terms of the construction contract itself.
Indiana has its own set of rules that shape how these disputes play out, including a mechanic’s lien statute that gives contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers a way to secure payment through the property itself, and a statute of repose that limits how long after a project’s completion a construction defect claim can be brought. Many construction contracts also include specific dispute resolution provisions, like mandatory mediation or arbitration, that affect how a disagreement has to be handled before it reaches a courtroom.
We built our construction litigation practice around a different idea than most firms in this space. Construction litigation clients usually aren’t searching for a lawyer in the middle of a crisis the way an injury victim might be. They’re general contractors, developers, property managers, and business owners who need a firm they already know and trust before a dispute escalates. At RileyCate, we work to build that relationship early, whether that means reviewing a contract before you sign it or stepping in the moment a payment dispute or defect claim starts to take shape.
We handle mechanic’s liens, construction contract disputes, construction defects, payment disputes, delay and disruption claims, and performance and payment bond claims for contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, developers, and property owners across a wide range of project types and sizes.
Because construction disputes can involve so many different parties and contracts, the first step in almost every matter is figuring out exactly where the responsibility lies. A payment problem might trace back to a dispute higher up the contract chain. A defect might involve both a design error and a workmanship issue. We spend time up front mapping out the relationships and agreements involved so the strategy we build actually fits the situation, rather than treating every construction dispute the same way, since a lien claim, a bond claim, and a straightforward breach of contract case call for very different approaches even when the underlying dollar amount is similar.
Construction disputes often involve multiple parties, overlapping contracts, and technical questions about performance and defects, which makes trial-tested litigation experience especially valuable. Will Riley and Russell Cate lead our construction litigation team. Russell Cate is recognized as a Super Lawyer and has argued alongside Will Riley before the Indiana Court of Appeals and the Indiana Supreme Court, giving construction clients access to real appellate depth alongside trial experience. Will Riley’s Super Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and AV Preeminent recognition reflects the same trial credibility we bring to every construction matter.
Every matter we take on is personally overseen by Will and Russell, who staff it with the attorneys, associates, and staff it calls for based on its size and complexity, so you get consistent, informed attention whether your matter is a straightforward lien filing or a complex multi-party dispute. We also offer alternatives to the standard billable hour for qualifying matters, which can make sense for the extended timelines construction disputes sometimes involve. Because we take the time to understand your business before a dispute ever happens, we’re able to move faster and with better context once one does, rather than starting from scratch trying to understand your contracts and relationships in the middle of a crisis.
Nobody plans to need a lawyer. When something goes wrong, what you need first is someone who will listen, tell you honestly where you stand, and take the next steps off your plate. That is how every case at RileyCate, LLC begins.
We represent individuals, families, and small businesses across Fishers, Indianapolis, and surrounding counties in personal injury and complex litigation, business and real estate disputes, criminal defense, and appeals.
Will Riley and Russell Cate personally oversee every matter, staffing each case to its size and complexity. Both are recognized as Super Lawyers and have argued before the Indiana Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Will also holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and a Top 100 Trial Lawyer designation.
We are trial-tested, not just settlement-focused. We have tried hundreds of cases, because insurance companies, opposing businesses, and prosecutors negotiate differently with a firm willing to go the distance.
Whether you’re dealing with a payment problem, a defect claim, or you simply want a construction litigation attorney in your corner before a dispute happens, we’re glad to talk. We offer a consultation to review your contracts, your project history, and your situation. Reach out to RileyCate today to speak with a construction litigation attorney about your project.
