EDUCATION

J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School, 1996
Bachelor of Architecture, Hampton University, 1993, cum laude
arlan-d-lewis_blueprint_law.jpg

ARLAN D. LEWIS

PARTNER

ADMISSIONS

Alabama
United States District Court, Middle District of Alabama
United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

ABA Forum on Construction Law

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Rating
Listed in international Who’s Who Legal, Construction (since 2016)
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Listed in Alabama Super Lawyers, “Rising Star,” Construction/Surety, 2011
Birmingham’s Legal Leaders – Top Rated Lawyers
Future Business Leaders: Advanced Organizational Leadership – The Masters Course (Class of 2017) (Associated Builders & Contractors of Alabama)
Future Leaders in Construction (Class of 2007) (Associated Builders & Contractors of Alabama)

CAREER OVERVIEW

Arlan’s practice focuses on the representation of owners, contractors, subcontractors, developers, and other construction industry participants on a variety of issues arising out of complex commercial construction projects in the private and public sectors. During more than 20 years of practice as a construction lawyer, Arlan has gained substantial experience in the negotiation and drafting of EPC, design-build, construction management, design, procurement, joint-venture, and other agreements related to the construction industry. He frequently advises clients on a variety of issues which arise during the performance of a project, including issues pertaining to payment, changes, delays, licensing, termination, project suspensions, defective work, indemnity, and other project issues. He has been trained in the Harvard Program on Negotiation Method and clients value his ability to balance practical business objectives with legal issues to provide appropriate risk management solutions.

In the dispute context, Arlan's involvement often begins when a dispute has arisen, or is anticipated, and continues through discovery, settlement negotiations, alternative dispute resolution procedures (including mediation and arbitration), and litigation. Arlan has represented a number of construction companies on a wide variety of projects, both in the U.S. and internationally, including several ranked in Engineering News-Record’s Top 400. These projects related to the construction of commercial office buildings, water treatment plants, airports, hospitals, renewable energy facilities, pharmaceutical production facilities, educational facilities, government facilities, condominiums, multi-family and student housing complexes, and power generation facilities (including nuclear), industrial projects including sewer systems, highways, coke-handling and other manufacturing facilities.

Arlan frequently speaks on legal issues in the construction industry and conducts client training sessions specifically tailored to the needs of a client team. He has held numerous leadership positions within the ABA Forum on Construction Law, the world’s largest organization of construction lawyers, including serving on its 12-member Governing Committee.

Prior to joining Blueprint, Arlan was a partner in the construction practice group of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, an Am Law 200 firm based in Birmingham, where he began his legal career in 1996.

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

  • American Bar Association

  • ABA Forum on Construction Law

    • Chair, Division Chairs Standing Committee - 2017 - present

    • Governing Committee - 2015-2018

    • Chair, Division 4: Project Delivery Methods, 2012-2014

    • Chair, Diversity Fellowship (Leadership Development Program), 2011-present

    • Diversity Committee, Member, 2009-present

    • Membership Committee, Member, 2011-2013

  • ABA Litigation Section

  • Board of Contract Appeals Bar Association

  • National Bar Association

  • Alabama Bar Association

    • Construction Law Section

    • Oil & Gas Law Section

  • Birmingham Bar Association

  • Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity, Board of Directors Executive Committee, 2013-present

  • Cahaba River Society, Board of Directors, 2011-2017

  • Birmingham Firehouse Shelter, Board of Directors, 2012-2014

  • Birmingham Urban League, Board of Directors, 2006-2012

SPEECHES & PRESENTATIONS

  • Governing Committee Liaison, Earth, Wind, Fire & Water: Sustainable Construction in a Changing Environment (2017 ABA Forum on Construction Law, Midwinter Meeting, Palm Desert, CA)

  • Adjunct Instructor, 2017 Negotiation Workshop (Cumberland Law School, Birmingham, AL)

  • Program Co-Chair, Counseling the Client During the Course of the Ongoing Construction Project (2014 ABA Forum on Construction Law, Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA)

  • Speaker, Bonding & Insurance Workshop (2013 Minority Business Training & Development Program, Birmingham, AL)

  • Moderator, Federal Contracting for Small, Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (2012 ABA Forum on Construction Law, Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV)

  • Instructor, Legal and Contractual Issues, ABC-Alabama Emerging Contractor Program (2011)

  • Speaker, Dangers and Dilemmas of Subrogation Waivers in Construction Contracts (2010 ABA Forum on Construction Law, Fall Meeting, Miami, FL)

  • Speaker, Negotiation Skills: Transactional Skills for a Changing Environment (2009 ABA National Conf. for the Minority Lawyer, Philadelphia, PA)

PUBLICATIONS

  • Co-Author: Subrogation Waivers, The Construction Lawyer, Vol. 31, Number 4, (Fall 2011)

  • Contributing Author: Alabama Construction Law Manual, West-Thomson (2009)

  • Contributing Author: Risk Management in Design-Build--Handling Construction Risks: Allocate Now or Litigate Later, PLI (1999)

  • Contributing Author: State-By-State Guide to Architect, Engineer and Contractor Licensing, Aspen Law Publications (First Edition -1999; Second Edition – 2012 (and current updates)