Baker Donelson's Baltimore office is pleased to announce the publication of the third edition of the Maryland Construction Law Deskbook edited by Shareholders Joseph C. Kovars and Michael A. Schollaert.
Published by the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA), the latest edition offers a comprehensive overview of Maryland construction law and contains 19 updated chapters on a wide range of topics including contracts, damages, and insurance. In addition, four new chapters have been included covering licensing, construction and the environment, zoning laws, and construction technology.
Mr. Kovars and Mr. Schollaert also served as editors of the previous edition of the Maryland Construction Law Deskbook.
"As trusted advisors to our clients, Baker Donelson attorneys are thought leaders who continue to stay at the forefront of their respective industries," said Jennifer L. Curry, managing shareholder of the Firm's Baltimore office. "Joe and Mike have been instrumental in helping our Maryland clients navigate complex legal challenges faced by the construction industry, and they brought that extensive experience and in-depth understanding of construction law to their work as editors of this indispensable resource."
In addition to serving as editors of the newest edition of the Maryland Construction Law Deskbook, Mr. Kovars and Mr. Schollaert both authored chapters in the book. Other Baker Donelson attorneys were contributors to the book. Christopher C. Dahl, a shareholder in the Firm's Business Litigation Group, and Charles Schaller, of counsel in the Firm's Real Estate Group, each authored a chapter.
Mr. Kovars, the former co-chair of Baker Donelson's Construction Group, concentrates his practice in construction and public contracts law and represents contractors, subcontractors, sureties, and owners in contract formation and construction disputes involving many types of construction projects. He is certified by the American Arbitration Association as a construction industry arbitrator and by the MSBA as a mediator. Mr. Kovars has been recognized in several publications as one of the leading attorneys in construction law. In 2014, he was elected to the prestigious American College of Construction Lawyers.
Mr. Schollaert offers strategic and practical counsel to his clients about all facets of a construction project, from contract drafting, review, and negotiation to the preparation and defense of claims. He has extensive experience in the prosecution and defense of mechanic's liens in state courts throughout Maryland. He represents general contractors, owners, state and local agencies, subcontractors, and suppliers on private and public construction projects. A current Section Council member and former chair of the Construction Law Section of the MSBA, Mr. Schollaert also lectures on various topics of interest to professionals in the construction industry.
The Maryland Construction Law Deskbook is available for purchase in print or electronic format at https://www.msba.org/product/md-cons-law-deskbook-3rd-ed/.
Baker Donelson's construction team advises on all phases of construction projects, from design and planning to contract negotiation, preparation, bidding and review, construction, errors and omissions defense, insurance coverage and claims, surety/bond issues, and dispute avoidance and resolution, and has advised on a wide range of construction projects throughout the United States and in various international venues. Clients include virtually every type of participant in the construction and development process: owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, equipment lessors, design professionals, sureties, insurers, and consulting and management firms.