Practice Group | Bassford Remele

Construction

For more than 100 years, Bassford Remele has successfully represented general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, owners, and design professionals in disputes related to commercial and residential construction projects throughout the Midwest. We have an in-depth understanding of the construction process and we are peer-recognized leaders in construction law, which make us effective advocates for our clients whether we are negotiating contracts on the front end or litigating disputes on the back end of a project.

Our vast construction experience includes defect and warranty claims, indemnity and other risk-transfer actions, mechanic’s lien and related payment disputes, surety and delay claims, insurance coverage actions, malpractice claims against architects and engineers, and workplace accident claims. We provide practical, thoughtful counsel to our clients to manage risk and avoid disputes. When disputes do arise, our extensive litigation experience puts clients in the best possible position to resolve those disputes, whether through mediation, arbitration, or trial.

Representative Cases

Represented a general contractor in a claim for extra compensation by a material supplier on an industrial warehouse project, resulting in a favorable award for our client and reimbursement of its attorney’s fees and costs.

Represented a general contractor, obtaining summary judgment in a construction defect lawsuit brought by a condominium association, resulting in dismissal of the association’s claims and indemnification for our client for all of its defense costs.

Represented an architect in two lawsuits in South Dakota, obtaining favorable resolutions in cases of alleged construction design defect involving multimillion dollar demands.

Represented a property owner, obtaining summary judgment where an experienced mechanical worker was seriously injured on the job when he fell from the building’s attic.

Represented an engineering company, obtaining a favorable resolution in a design defect/professional malpractice claim arising out of work performed for a wastewater treatment facility and oil field man-camp in North Dakota.

Represented a general contractor at trial, obtaining a directed verdict in a case of alleged construction deficiencies.

Comments from clients and the legal community:

Bassford Remele has a very knowledgeable and experienced staff of lawyers that practice in the area of construction disputes. They have handled various construction cases for my company over many years and have the right lawyers and support staff ready to handle any new matter. The firm is very dedicated to providing excellent representation to its clients in a cost-effective manner.

Bassford Remele has experienced construction law litigation attorneys that take a proactive approach to disputes and get results.

These comments were collected as part of the U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" research process.

Legal Foundations, Vol. 2, Issue 2, July 2024

AGC and MAPA Application to Participate as Amicus Curiae

Legal Foundations, Vol. 2, Issue 1, April 2024

Legal Foundations, Vol. 1, Issue 1, November 2023

Adapting to the Uncertainty of Construction Costs: Why Price Escalation Clauses are More Vital Than Ever, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, June 2024 (John C. Holper and Michael J. Pfau)

New Legislative Changes to Earned Sick and Safe Time Impacting the Construction Industry, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, June 2024 (Beth L. LaCanne)

Changes to Minnesota's Independent Contractor and Employment Laws Impacting the Construction Industry, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, June 2024 (Janine M. Loetscher)

The Corporate Transparency Act is on Appeal! How that Impacts Your Business Plans, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, June 2024 (Kyle S. Willems, Wynne S. Reece and James C. Kovacs)

Business Succession Planning: Top 10 Dos and Don'ts from the Lawyers' Perspective, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota Thought Leadership Series, February 2024 (Kyle S. Willems and Wynne S. Reece)

How Artificial Intelligence Can Help (And Hurt) Your Practice, Attorney at Law, February 2024 (Bryce D. Riddle)

"Slander of Title": The Counter-Punch to a Mechanic's Lien, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, January 2024 (Kyle S. Willems, Beth L. LaCanne and Michael J. Pfau)

Don't Show Me The Money!, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, January 2024 (Beth L. LaCanne)

SCOTUS Hears Oral Argument on Landmark Employment Law Case, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, January 2024 (Michael J. Pfau)

A Guide to the New Corporate Transparency Act, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, January 2024 (Kyle S. Willems)

An Important Change for Minnesota's Anti-Indemnity Statute and What It Means for Minnesota Construction Companies, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, June 2023 (Kyle S. Willems and James C. Kovacs)

Minnesota Bans Non-Compete Provisions and What It Means for Minnesota Construction Companies, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, June 2023 (Janine M. Loetscher and Michael J. Pfau)

Preparing for the Legalization of Marijuana, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, June 2023 (Beth L. LaCanne)

Tightening the Screws on Wage Theft: Minnesota's Wage Theft Prevention Act, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, June 2023 (Beth L. LaCanne)

Keeping an Eye on the Clock: Important Legal Deadlines that Construction Professionals Should be Tracking, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, February 2023 (Kyle S. Willems and Benjamin D. Gilchrist)

Meet the Team

John Holper is an experienced construction and real estate trial attorney. John has more than 30 years of experience representing commercial and residential owners,...

John C. Holper

Shareholder

Janine Loetscher is a litigator with substantial large-scale loss experience, whose practice focuses in construction, insurance coverage, products liability, and...

Janine M. Loetscher

Shareholder

Kyle Willems is a member of Bassford Remele’s board of directors, and co-chair of the firm’s construction practice group. As a business litigator, Kyle primarily...

Kyle S. Willems

Shareholder

Michael Pfau is a litigator, focusing his practice in the areas of construction, real estate, commercial litigation, consumer finance, and employment litigation/advice....

Michael J. Pfau

Attorney

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News & Events

Kyle Willems and Benjamin Gilchrist Publish Article for Construction Professionals

Bassford Remele Construction Group Co-Chair Kyle Willems and Attorney Benjamin Gilchrist recently...

Kyle Willems to Present at Minnesota Construction Summit

Bassford Remele Construction Practice Group Co-Chair Kyle Willems will present “High Exposure from...

Bassford Remele Recognized as Leading Minnesota Commercial Litigation Firm in Chambers USA

Bassford Remele is pleased to announce its continued ranking as a leading Minnesota firm in the...

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Accolades

Metropolitan Tier 1 Firm in the area of Construction Litigation

Metropolitan Tier 1 Firm in the area of Construction Law

Ranked in Chambers 2024