Andrew J. Natale

Andrew J. Natale devotes his practice solely to construction law, where he represents general contractors, design/builders, surety companies, subcontractors, specialty trades, suppliers, manufacturers, developers, lenders, owners, and design professionals in all aspects of construction law, including arbitration, mediation and complex commercial litigation.

Andy has extensive experience with construction-related litigation, mediation, arbitration, claims management and avoidance, insurance coverage, and contract negotiation. His national recognition comes from his experience as an arbitrator and mediator for complex construction disputes.

Andy’s significant experience includes representing and counseling clients in construction project risk management and project documentation, claims development and defense, lien and bond claim issues, schedule disputes, extra work and defective work issues, insurance coverage matters, and competitive bid contests.

Andy is a frequent lecturer on a variety of construction law topics, including mechanics’ lien and bond law, construction claims and liability theories, project and claim documentation, competitive bidding, schedule issues, alternative dispute resolution, design professional liability, and construction defects.

He is certified by the Associated General Contractors of Ohio and the AGC of America to teach Building Information Modeling (BIM) courses, the Project Manager Development Program, and Risk Management courses. He also participates regularly as a speaker for Lorman Education, NBI, the Construction Employers Association, and on a variety of alternative dispute resolution topics for the American Arbitration Association.

Experience

HLP Construction Team Overturns Unsupported ODOT Debarment of Contract

January 23, 2019

Publications & Speaking Engagements

Ohio Supreme Court Rules that Statute of Repose Applies to Contract Claims

July 17, 2019

Ohio Court of Appeals Confirms Applicability of Statute of Repose to Contract Claims and Sureties

May 13, 2019

Contract Risk for Escalation Costs

May 03, 2019

Owners and Contractors Beware! Electronic Payments in Construction Are Subject to Increased Fraud

April 30, 2019

Ohio Court of Claims Decision Puts Public Works Bond Sureties Directly Behind the Eight Ball: Strict Application of Claims Waiver Provisions Bars Surety Payment Claims

February 01, 2019

Legal Aspects of Construction Law

November 08, 2018

Protect Your Bottom Line on Ohio Construction Projects: Ohio High Court’s October 2018 Ruling Denying Coverage for Defective Construction Work Confirms Need to Re-Evaluate and Revise Traditional Risk Transfer Mechanisms

October 19, 2018

Managing Risk and Protecting Rewards in Design Build Construction

June 05, 2018

Associated General Contractors of Ohio

October 31, 2017

Understanding and Managing Construction Bond and Insurance Risks

March 01, 2017

Site and Project Safety (Accident Investigation)

February 01, 2017

Prevailing Wage

December 01, 2016

Contract Termination

December 01, 2016

If I Build It, You Will Pay Construction Claims and Coverage Issues

November 01, 2016

Navigating the Claims Process: Presentation Strategies to Improve Success Rates and Control Costs

October 03, 2016

Managing Condominium Conversion Risks

October 01, 2016

BIM Contract Negotiation and Risk Allocation

June 01, 2016

Protecting the Bottom Line

April 01, 2016

Community Involvement

Diocese of Cleveland CYO Athletics, 7th & 8th Grade, Football Coach, 20 years

Diocese of Cleveland CYO Hall of Fame, Inductee, 2017

Awards & Distinctions

Distinguished Service Award, Ohio Contractors Association, 2018

Ohio Super Lawyers®, Construction Litigation, 2004-2021; Top 50 Cleveland Super Lawyers, 2021; Top 100 Ohio Super Lawyers, 2021

The Best Lawyers in America®, Construction Law, 2006-21; Litigation-Construction, 2019-21; Commercial Litigation, 2019-21; Cleveland Lawyer of the Year, Cleveland, Construction, 2012, 2017

ChambersUSA, Band 1, Construction, 2003-20

AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell

International Who’s Who of Construction Lawyers

Memberships & Affiliations

American Arbitration Association’s Forum on Construction Industry, Panel Member, Construction Industry Arbitrator, Mediator, 1993-present

Construction Employers Association, Member

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member

Ohio Contractors Association, Member

Surety Association of Ohio, Member