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
