Meghan A.Douris
Partner
Construction
mdouris@seyfarth.com
Meghan provides legal counsel to general contractors and subcontractors on a range of issues affecting their construction projects.
More About Meghan
General contractors and subcontractors face various challenges that can jeopardize construction projects—differing site conditions, geotechnical engineering concerns, delay and impact claims, and various contract claims and disputes. Clients turn to Meghan to assess these challenges, negotiate complex construction contracts, determine appropriate and creative litigation strategies, and achieve resolutions that address their long-term goals. In addition, she assists clients with general business matters that have an impact on long-term goals and day-to-day operations.
Meghan assists clients through the unique legal complexities in the construction industry, particularly the challenges associated with constructing heavy civil infrastructure and high-rise buildings. She draws from her experience as assistant general counsel for the New York City Department of Design and Construction and her depth of knowledge from her Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate certification.
Meghan also helps organizations understand and secure government contracts in the construction and service industries, including a focus on AbilityOne providers. She is skilled at handling all types of government contract law issues: assisting with bid protests, helping clients navigate the Request for Equitable Adjustment and claims processes, and litigating bid and size protests before the US Court of Federal Claims, US Government Accountability Office, US Small Business Administration, and state and local agencies. For instance, Meghan successfully defended a bid protest in the US Court of Federal Claims to preserve a $100 million dollar contract.
Meghan assists clients through the unique legal complexities in the construction industry, particularly the challenges associated with constructing heavy civil infrastructure and high-rise buildings. She draws from her experience as assistant general counsel for the New York City Department of Design and Construction and her depth of knowledge from her Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate certification.
Meghan also helps organizations understand and secure government contracts in the construction and service industries, including a focus on AbilityOne providers. She is skilled at handling all types of government contract law issues: assisting with bid protests, helping clients navigate the Request for Equitable Adjustment and claims processes, and litigating bid and size protests before the US Court of Federal Claims, US Government Accountability Office, US Small Business Administration, and state and local agencies. For instance, Meghan successfully defended a bid protest in the US Court of Federal Claims to preserve a $100 million dollar contract.
- JD, Brooklyn Law School
Moot Court Honor Society - BA, College of William and Mary
Political Science
- California
- New York
- Washington
- US Court of Federal Claims
- US District Court, Central District of California
- US District Court, District of Colorado
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
- US District Court, Western District of Washington
Related Key Industries
Representative Claims & Disputes Experience
- Counsel for a large general contractor for a heavy civil project on a Navy base. Involved in preparing certified claim and facilitating ADR process resulting in determination of entitlement on 55 of 70 REAs.
- Represented tunneling contractor litigation in a large bore tunnel project in pursuing a $60 million claim and defending against $150 million claim.
- Counsel for subcontractor on large highway remediation project in southern California, resulting in recovery of claim against Caltrans.
- Defended a developer against claims in excess of $30 million arising out of a large hotel construction project, attaining a reasonable settlement for the parties.
- Achieved favorable pre-trial resolution for large general contractor of subcontractor claims involving large high-end Seattle apartment building.
- Effectively pursued several Contract Disputes Act Claims on behalf of AbilityOne service contractors, including preparing Certified Claims, and pursuing litigation in the Court of Federal Claims resulting in successful settlements for the clients.
Representative Construction Litigation Experience
- Successfully obtained a judgment of $2.7 million on behalf of a subcontractor (and defeated a counterclaim of $10.8 million) in a three-month bench trial in King County, Washington.
- Successfully obtained a judgment in arbitration for a large subcontractor for changed conditions on a federal housing project, recouping 95 percent of the amount claimed and a full award of attorney fees.
- Successfully defended a general contractor against delay and impact claim alleged by subcontractor in lengthy arbitration.
- Obtained a favorable settlement for a heavy civil subcontractor involving claims of defective installation of open-grade friction course paving materials.
Representative Bid Protests Experience
- Achieved permanent injunction on behalf of an AbilityOne contractor, preventing the Department of Defense and the U.S. AbilityOne Commission from undermining the AbilityOne program.
- Successfully defended a bid protest in the Court of Federal Claims protecting the award of a $100 million services contract.
Related News & Insights
-
Attorney Publication
12/14/2023
Now Available! Seyfarth’s 50 State Lien Law Notice Requirements Guide (2023-2024 Edition)
-
Speaking Engagement
Oct 26, 2023
Meghan Douris to Speak at the ICSC+U.S. LAW Conference
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Speaking Engagement
Aug 4, 2023
Meghan Douris to Moderate and Amy Hoang and Teddie Arnold to Serve as Co-Chairs of ABA Public Contract Law 2023 Annual Meeting
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Construction Law (2024) and Litigation - Construction (2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Real Estate - Construction (including construction litigation), The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2023)
-
Women Leaders in Construction, founder and member
-
The Beavers, member
-
American Bar Association
-
Washington State Bar Association
-
California State Bar Association
-
New York State Bar Association
- Co-Author, "The EEOC Targets Construction Industry For Heightened Enforcement," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 24, 2023)
- Author, "Another Contractor Successfully Protests the Government’s Attempt to Circumvent the AbilityOne Program," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 12, 2022)
- Author, "Court ruling calls CGL insurance policies into question for Washington contractors," The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (September 29, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Congress allows tax deductibility for Paycheck Protection Program expenses," The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (January 14, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Got a PPP loan? IRS says you can’t deduct expenses from them — at least for now," The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (December 10, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Washington's "Stay At Home" Proclamation: Construction Update" (March 26, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Washington’s Version of 'Shelter in Place': What it Means for the Construction Industry" (March 24, 2020)
- Author, "Is LEED’s future with federal projects under threat?" The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (February 28, 2013)
- Author, "Is your LEED project a green hornet’s nest?" The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (October 27, 2011)
- Speaker, "Construction Contracts: Anticipating Suspension or Termination," ICSC+U.S. LAW Conference, Phoenix, AZ (October 26, 2023)
- Moderator, "Unlocking Innovation in Procurement of Public Infrastructure," 2023 ABA Section of Public Contract Law Annual Meeting (August 3, 2023)
- Panelist, “Construction Contract Clauses/Flow Down/Risk,” Washington State Bar Association Construction Law Section (June 2, 2023)
- Speaker, "Effective Cross-Examination and Delivering a Winning Closing Argument," ABA The Future of Construction Law, Vancouver BC (April 12, 2023)
-
Presenter, "Delay and Impact Claims," 27th Annual Washington Construction Law Seminar, The Seminar Group, Seattle, WA (September 23, 2020)
-
Presenter, "Navigating Uninsured Indemnity Obligations," 2020 Conference on Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management, AGC of America, Bonita Springs, FL (January 29, 2020)
-
Presenter, "Critical Contract Clauses," HCSS User Group Meetings, Houston, TX (January 28, 2020)
-
Presenter, "Advocacy Issues for AbilityOne Contractors," Javits-Wagner-O’Day Legal Symposium (2019)
-
Presenter, "Critical Contract Clauses," HCSS User Group Meetings, Houston, TX (February 5, 2019)
-
Presenter, "Advocacy Issues for AbilityOne Contractors," Javits-Wagner-O’Day Legal Symposium (2018)
-
"Three Rulings That Could Make 2022 Easier for Contracts Lawyers," Bloomberg Law (December 13, 2021)
-
"Contract Clash Ruling Leaves Fraught Dispute to Congress," Law360 (January 15, 2020)
- Construction for Change, board of directors
Meghan provides legal counsel to general contractors and subcontractors on a range of issues affecting their construction projects.
More About Meghan
General contractors and subcontractors face various challenges that can jeopardize construction projects—differing site conditions, geotechnical engineering concerns, delay and impact claims, and various contract claims and disputes. Clients turn to Meghan to assess these challenges, negotiate complex construction contracts, determine appropriate and creative litigation strategies, and achieve resolutions that address their long-term goals. In addition, she assists clients with general business matters that have an impact on long-term goals and day-to-day operations.
Meghan assists clients through the unique legal complexities in the construction industry, particularly the challenges associated with constructing heavy civil infrastructure and high-rise buildings. She draws from her experience as assistant general counsel for the New York City Department of Design and Construction and her depth of knowledge from her Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate certification.
Meghan also helps organizations understand and secure government contracts in the construction and service industries, including a focus on AbilityOne providers. She is skilled at handling all types of government contract law issues: assisting with bid protests, helping clients navigate the Request for Equitable Adjustment and claims processes, and litigating bid and size protests before the US Court of Federal Claims, US Government Accountability Office, US Small Business Administration, and state and local agencies. For instance, Meghan successfully defended a bid protest in the US Court of Federal Claims to preserve a $100 million dollar contract.
Meghan assists clients through the unique legal complexities in the construction industry, particularly the challenges associated with constructing heavy civil infrastructure and high-rise buildings. She draws from her experience as assistant general counsel for the New York City Department of Design and Construction and her depth of knowledge from her Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate certification.
Meghan also helps organizations understand and secure government contracts in the construction and service industries, including a focus on AbilityOne providers. She is skilled at handling all types of government contract law issues: assisting with bid protests, helping clients navigate the Request for Equitable Adjustment and claims processes, and litigating bid and size protests before the US Court of Federal Claims, US Government Accountability Office, US Small Business Administration, and state and local agencies. For instance, Meghan successfully defended a bid protest in the US Court of Federal Claims to preserve a $100 million dollar contract.
- JD, Brooklyn Law School
Moot Court Honor Society - BA, College of William and Mary
Political Science
- California
- New York
- Washington
- US Court of Federal Claims
- US District Court, Central District of California
- US District Court, District of Colorado
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
- US District Court, Western District of Washington
Related Key Industries
Representative Claims & Disputes Experience
- Counsel for a large general contractor for a heavy civil project on a Navy base. Involved in preparing certified claim and facilitating ADR process resulting in determination of entitlement on 55 of 70 REAs.
- Represented tunneling contractor litigation in a large bore tunnel project in pursuing a $60 million claim and defending against $150 million claim.
- Counsel for subcontractor on large highway remediation project in southern California, resulting in recovery of claim against Caltrans.
- Defended a developer against claims in excess of $30 million arising out of a large hotel construction project, attaining a reasonable settlement for the parties.
- Achieved favorable pre-trial resolution for large general contractor of subcontractor claims involving large high-end Seattle apartment building.
- Effectively pursued several Contract Disputes Act Claims on behalf of AbilityOne service contractors, including preparing Certified Claims, and pursuing litigation in the Court of Federal Claims resulting in successful settlements for the clients.
Representative Construction Litigation Experience
- Successfully obtained a judgment of $2.7 million on behalf of a subcontractor (and defeated a counterclaim of $10.8 million) in a three-month bench trial in King County, Washington.
- Successfully obtained a judgment in arbitration for a large subcontractor for changed conditions on a federal housing project, recouping 95 percent of the amount claimed and a full award of attorney fees.
- Successfully defended a general contractor against delay and impact claim alleged by subcontractor in lengthy arbitration.
- Obtained a favorable settlement for a heavy civil subcontractor involving claims of defective installation of open-grade friction course paving materials.
Representative Bid Protests Experience
- Achieved permanent injunction on behalf of an AbilityOne contractor, preventing the Department of Defense and the U.S. AbilityOne Commission from undermining the AbilityOne program.
- Successfully defended a bid protest in the Court of Federal Claims protecting the award of a $100 million services contract.
Related News & Insights
-
Attorney Publication
12/14/2023
Now Available! Seyfarth’s 50 State Lien Law Notice Requirements Guide (2023-2024 Edition)
-
Speaking Engagement
Oct 26, 2023
Meghan Douris to Speak at the ICSC+U.S. LAW Conference
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Speaking Engagement
Aug 4, 2023
Meghan Douris to Moderate and Amy Hoang and Teddie Arnold to Serve as Co-Chairs of ABA Public Contract Law 2023 Annual Meeting
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Construction Law (2024) and Litigation - Construction (2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Real Estate - Construction (including construction litigation), The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2023)
-
Women Leaders in Construction, founder and member
-
The Beavers, member
-
American Bar Association
-
Washington State Bar Association
-
California State Bar Association
-
New York State Bar Association
- Co-Author, "The EEOC Targets Construction Industry For Heightened Enforcement," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 24, 2023)
- Author, "Another Contractor Successfully Protests the Government’s Attempt to Circumvent the AbilityOne Program," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 12, 2022)
- Author, "Court ruling calls CGL insurance policies into question for Washington contractors," The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (September 29, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Congress allows tax deductibility for Paycheck Protection Program expenses," The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (January 14, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Got a PPP loan? IRS says you can’t deduct expenses from them — at least for now," The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (December 10, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Washington's "Stay At Home" Proclamation: Construction Update" (March 26, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Washington’s Version of 'Shelter in Place': What it Means for the Construction Industry" (March 24, 2020)
- Author, "Is LEED’s future with federal projects under threat?" The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (February 28, 2013)
- Author, "Is your LEED project a green hornet’s nest?" The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (October 27, 2011)
- Speaker, "Construction Contracts: Anticipating Suspension or Termination," ICSC+U.S. LAW Conference, Phoenix, AZ (October 26, 2023)
- Moderator, "Unlocking Innovation in Procurement of Public Infrastructure," 2023 ABA Section of Public Contract Law Annual Meeting (August 3, 2023)
- Panelist, “Construction Contract Clauses/Flow Down/Risk,” Washington State Bar Association Construction Law Section (June 2, 2023)
- Speaker, "Effective Cross-Examination and Delivering a Winning Closing Argument," ABA The Future of Construction Law, Vancouver BC (April 12, 2023)
-
Presenter, "Delay and Impact Claims," 27th Annual Washington Construction Law Seminar, The Seminar Group, Seattle, WA (September 23, 2020)
-
Presenter, "Navigating Uninsured Indemnity Obligations," 2020 Conference on Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management, AGC of America, Bonita Springs, FL (January 29, 2020)
-
Presenter, "Critical Contract Clauses," HCSS User Group Meetings, Houston, TX (January 28, 2020)
-
Presenter, "Advocacy Issues for AbilityOne Contractors," Javits-Wagner-O’Day Legal Symposium (2019)
-
Presenter, "Critical Contract Clauses," HCSS User Group Meetings, Houston, TX (February 5, 2019)
-
Presenter, "Advocacy Issues for AbilityOne Contractors," Javits-Wagner-O’Day Legal Symposium (2018)
-
"Three Rulings That Could Make 2022 Easier for Contracts Lawyers," Bloomberg Law (December 13, 2021)
-
"Contract Clash Ruling Leaves Fraught Dispute to Congress," Law360 (January 15, 2020)
- Construction for Change, board of directors