General Information
Overview
After over 40 years of collective experience practicing construction law with one of the largest firms in Texas, John Slates and Greg Harwell formed Slates Harwell LLP to better serve our clients’ needs. We bring the pedigree of big-firm experience and expertise to the flexibility of a construction boutique platform.
Most lawyers are either transactional attorneys or litigators. Because of our construction industry focus, we are both. We work from project concept to completion assisting our clients in contract negotiation, risk management, and dispute resolution including mediation, arbitration, and litigation. In this comprehensive role, we counsel our clients on the many facets of their business, and as a result, we understand the priorities that drive each client’s decisions. When disputes arise, we combine the insights developed through these unique client relationships with a proven track record of success in the courtroom and in arbitration.
The construction industry relies on plans, budgets, and schedules to achieve successful projects – so do we. By tailoring strategies to our client’s business interests and expectations, we design a plan to achieve the client’s goal, develop a budget to accomplish that goal, and outline the critical path to get there. Whether negotiating contracts, managing project risks, or litigating disputes, we partner with our clients to achieve success through this guiding philosophy:
Plan. Execute. Deliver.
Rankings
Slates Harwell LLP is metro ranked in 3 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.
Read how Best Law Firms ranks firmsMetro Rankings
About Our Clients
Slates Harwell is best known for its expertise in the construction industry from the large general contractor’s perspective. Slates Harwell represents general contractors in negotiating prime contracts and subcontracts as well as managing suits, claims, and issues that arise from commercial and public construction and development projects. The firm’s work has covered a wide range of projects and geographic settings beyond its regional Texas focus – from contractor extra work claims on DOE projects in New Mexico, to disputes arising from $500 million mixed-use projects on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; from delay and disruption claims in industrial/refinery settings, to construction defect allegations in commercial and multi-family projects. Some key clients in these areas include Andres Construction, Austin Industries, Balfour Beatty Construction, The Beck Group, EMJ Corporation, Hill & Wilkinson, JE Dunn Construction Company, VCC, Rampart Multifamily and Talley-Riggins Construction Co. LLC.
Another area of recognized specialty is in the preparation of development and contract management plans and documents for large commercial / retail / residential developers. Developer clients including KDC Development, Streetlights Residential, and Cielo Real Estate to name a few, have engaged the firm to assist with contracts for their designers, managers, contractors, and suppliers and to implement programs to manage their projects to a successful completion.
A third area of recognized expertise is the broad range of legal services provided to builders in the volume homebuilding industry. During the course of their careers, lawyers at Slates Harwell have represented 15 of the top 20 homebuilders – as well as their trade associations (National Association of Home Builders, Texas Association of Builders, and Leading Builders of America). Services to the volume builders include providing regulatory compliance guidance for development and marketing, contract management and procurement best practices programs, and copyright and trademark protection. Current key clients include DR Horton Homes, Lennar Homes, M/I Homes, and Pulte Homes.
Rankings
Regional Rankings
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Litigation - Construction
Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
Awards
- Recognized by Chambers & Partners USA Guide for Construction Law - Texas (2016 - 2022)