Construction Lawyer – Maryland, DC
MARYLAND CONSTRUCTION LAWYER
VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION LAWYER
WASHINGTON DC CONSTRUCTION LAWYER
Mike Bramnick is a construction lawyer/attorney representing contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and property owners in Maryland, Virginia, and DC in construction-related matters ranging from breach of contract claims, mechanic’s liens, bond claims, trust fund, and prompt payment statute violations, contract law, violations of the home improvement regulations, and general collections matters. As a construction lawyer, Mike also regularly drafts, reviews, and negotiates construction-related agreements. With years of experience in construction law and litigation, Mike is able to provide clients with practical and cost-effective counseling and representation to best serve their legal needs.
Mechanic’s Liens, Payment Claims & Collections:
As a construction lawyer, Mike Bramnick works regularly on behalf of unpaid contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who are owed money on construction projects. This work often includes pursuing mechanic’s lien claims. Mechanic’s liens offer a significant source of protection for contractors. A mechanic’s lien is a statutory right enabling those who provide labor and/or materials on a construction project to secure a lien on the property for the value of any unpaid work. The mechanic’s lien laws are designed to encourage construction by affording this additional protection to laborers and material suppliers.
As a construction litigator Mike works on a daily basis collecting money due to contractors on construction projects. Mike’s detailed understanding of the mechanic’s lien laws is an important aspect of the collections process. He is experienced in litigating construction claims in the court system and arbitration, as well as resolving claims through alternative dispute resolution such as mediation.
Missing a deadline or failing to strictly comply with a statutory requirement can be fatal to establishing a valid mechanic’s lien. It is critical that those furnishing work, labor or materials understand their mechanic’s lien rights and act promptly when they have not been paid. With years of experience in construction law and litigation in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Mike is able to quickly and efficiently analyze whether a client has mechanic’s lien rights for unpaid work and if so, ensure the proper steps are taken to perfect a mechanic’s lien against the subject property. If lien rights have expired, an unpaid claimant may still be able to pursue a breach of contract claim against the party it contracted with to secure a money judgment. The mechanic’s lien laws and related deadlines in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia vary widely, therefore it is important to understand these differences when engaging in construction activity.
Collections and Post-Judgment Enforcement Actions
Mike has secured millions of dollars in judgments on behalf of clients arising out of construction-related disputes. Securing a judgment is only the first step in the process, however. If the defendant/judgment-debtor does not (or cannot) voluntarily pay the judgment amount, there are a wide variety of post-judgment enforcement mechanisms that can be employed to attempt to collect on a judgment. Writs of garnishment of property, writs of garnishment on wages, liens, and writs of execution are available procedures to collect on a judgment. There are also post-judgment discovery mechanisms available to obtain information concerning the nature and extent of a judgment-debtor’s assets such as interrogatories, requests for documents and oral examinations of the debtor.
Mike is knowledgeable and experienced in post-judgment collections matters. For more information regarding the collections and post-judgment enforcement process, click here.
Home Improvement Lawyer, Violations Against Unlicensed Contractors
Mike regularly represents homeowners in claims against unlicensed contractors. Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia regulate contractors and each has different licensing requirements. If a home improvement contractor does not possess the proper license and performs home improvement work on a residential property the consequences can be severe. In Maryland, an unlicensed home improvement contractor may not be able to collect unpaid money for construction services from the owner if it did not possess a home improvement license, even if it is undisputed that the work was properly performed. The District of Columbia’s home improvement laws and regulations are even more severe: an unlicensed home improvement contractor has no legal right to collect unpaid money due on a home improvement contract from the homeowner, moreover, the unlicensed contractor can be required to disgorge (return) all money it received from the homeowner even if the work was properly performed. It is a harsh rule designed to protect consumers from unscrupulous contractors. Mike has prevailed on claims against unlicensed home improvement contractors for violations of the home improvement law and the District of Columbia’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act.
If you are a homeowner involved with an unlicensed home improvement contractor the best course of action is to speak with a lawyer who is knowledgeable about the home improvement laws.
If you have a construction related legal issue contact Mike Bramnick today to schedule a consultation. Mike can be reached at (301) 547-3647 or via email via our contact form.
