“We are all in this together.” That was the refrain heard throughout society when the pandemic was finally recognized. But anyone who has experience in design and construction knows that such a maxim is not a truism in the construction industry. From the time the first disruptions and lockdowns occurred, attorneys representing construction firms have... Continue Reading →
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued new guidance for employers around testing protocols, “SARS-CoV-2 Testing Strategy: Considerations for Non-Healthcare Workplaces.” Design firms seeking to reopen offices or reunite all employees in a normal office setting should be aware of the guidance.The CDC recommends incorporating COVID-19 testing in these five scenarios:... Continue Reading →
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has released two new resources and one revised resource to support employers, public officials, and design professionals with re-occupying buildings more safely.The AIA embarked on an initiative to explore how design strategies, backed by science, can be a public health solution. “Reopening America: Strategies for Safer Buildings” is intended... Continue Reading →
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced that LEED will play a role in confronting risk in the post-coronavirus pandemic era.In a published letter from Mahesh Ramanujam, President & CEO of USGBC, he announced that the “second generation at USGBC will focus on our relevant and reimagined vision: healthy people in healthy places equals... Continue Reading →
As professionals, engineers face a high level of exposure to professional liability claims. As licensed design professionals, their responsibilities may go beyond simply designing projects to meet existing codes and standards. In some cases, registration laws clearly mandate the obligation of professional engineers to protect public health and safety—and this could be construed as designing... Continue Reading →
Retail groups are reporting a spike in bike sales over the last two months as city dwellers have purchased bikes in unprecedented numbers (Editor's note: a simple account will need to be created to access the full article). With shelter-in-place orders and the use of public transportation limited due to fears of coronavirus, Americans flocked... Continue Reading →
Design firms are businesses. As businesses, they are subject to federal, state, and local laws that mandate employment practices that are fair and compliant with governing statutes and regulations. The requirements often vary by firm size, but all firms should be aware that during the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, compliance is becoming more... Continue Reading →
Guest blog post written by J. Scott Shannon, Esq., of Lee/Shoemaker PLLC. Scott Shannon is Senior Counsel at Lee/Shoemaker PLLC, a law firm devoted to the representation of design professionals in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The content of this article was prepared to educate related to potential risks, but is not intended to be a... Continue Reading →
Guest blog post written by Taylor T. Dolan, Esq., of Lee/Shoemaker PLLC. Taylor Dolan is an associate at Lee/Shoemaker PLLC, a law firm devoted to the representation of design professionals, in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The content of this article was prepared to educate related to potential risks, but is not intended to be a... Continue Reading →
Guest blog post written by Paul E. Knupp, III, Esq., of Lee/Shoemaker PLLC. Paul Knupp is Counsel at Lee/Shoemaker PLLC, a law firm devoted to the representation of design professionals, in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The content of this article was prepared to educate related to potential risks, but is not intended to be a... Continue Reading →
