Phelps Gains Ground in Top Construction Law Firms Ranking
NEW ORLEANS — June 20, 2024 — Phelps jumped two spots in Construction Executive’s yearly list of The Top 50 Construction Law Firms. The leading construction industry magazine ranked Phelps No. 23 in the firm’s third year on the list.
Phelps’ Construction and Design team guides local and international clients through issues that may arise in each phase of a construction project and after completion. More than 30 experienced lawyers across six states help clients get developments off the ground and over the finish line. Their understanding of the project lifecycle helps to keep projects on track and find quick solutions to problems.
A large part of the team’s work focuses on guiding infrastructure projects forward, including industrial facilities, highways and power plants. Phelps’ construction lawyers also manage a wide range of issues — from bond claims, liens and cost overruns to project delays and geotechnical failures — and the disputes that can come with them.
The firm has represented an American energy company in multiple ongoing lawsuits involving disputes over the construction of almost 200 miles of high-pressure, large diameter natural gas pipeline in Louisiana, as well as successfully representing the general contractor in the arbitration of an almost $10 million payment claim on a methanol project in West Virginia. Phelps is also representing the general contractor on a large mixed-use development in Miami regarding $250 million in contract claims asserted by the owner. And most recently, the team secured a federal court ruling relieving parties from forced arbitration over claims of design defects at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
Deep roots in the South’s commercial centers mean Phelps has grown with the construction industry across the region. This knowledge gives developers, owners, design firms and contractors insight into the legal landscapes and market dynamics that shape successful projects.
“We are proud to be recognized by Construction Executive as one of the top 50 law firms in the construction sector for the third year in a row,” said Partner Kelsey Funes, leader of Phelps’ Baton Rouge construction practice. “This honor reflects our firm's deep understanding of the construction industry and our dedication to providing outstanding service. It’s a testament to the hard work of our talented team, who continue to drive our success and remain committed to advancing our clients’ interests."
Construction Executive evaluates firms based the number of architecture, engineering and construction sector clients they serve and other factors such as the size, revenue and experience of their construction practices.
