Unprecedented Times: An Interview Panel With 2025 Top Construction Law Firms

July 15, 2025 — David McMillin - Construction Executive
In a typical year, construction law doesn’t change all that much—but so far, 2025 has been anything but a typical year. Before the Trump administration reached its first-100-days mark, attorneys were already combing through the language of nearly 130 executive orders. While executive orders are nothing new—President Biden signed more than 160, and President Trump signed more than 200 in his first term—many of the recent actions are fundamentally changing the way that construction firms operate. How should you manage an uptick in uncertainty? Which cases are moving through the courts that could impact your jobsites? And what can you do to increase your odds of avoiding mediation, arbitration or litigation? There are no easy answers to any of these questions, but following the lead of some of the industry’s brightest legal minds—all of whom practice among CE’s most recent edition of the Top 50 Construction Law Firms—can put you on a course for success. TARIFF TALK When the Trump Administration unveiled plans to impose a sweeping new set of tariffs in the spring, the vast majority of construction firms felt a figurative crack in their foundations: In April, around 80% of ABC contractors reported that suppliers had notified them of price increases, and nearly 20% of them had projects paused or interrupted. As leaders continue to worry about what those price increases might do to their business models, they’re spending more time talking to their attorneys. Reprinted courtesy of David McMillin, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved. Read the full story...