Trippe Hawthorne, a partner, and construction lawyer at Kean Miller, was a featured author for the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), where he wrote on the subject of contractors and what it means to be licensed, insured, and bonded. Many property owners see this nomenclature in marketing and promotional materials for General
Designated Responsible Engineers
The practice of engineering is regulated through licensure in all states. Whether and under what conditions a state will allow engineers to practice through limited liability entities (“LLEs”) (e.g., corporations, limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships) varies from state to state:
- Some states do not regulate engineering LLEs at all.
- Some states
Louisiana Lien Waivers and Clear Lien Certificates – What Good are They to Owners?
Louisiana law (the Private Works Act – La. R.S. 9:4801, et seq.) does not require project owners to obtain lien waivers or to obtain a clear lien certificate from the clerk of court, but many construction contracts require lien waivers and a clear lien certificate before the contractor will be entitled to
Bill to Revise and Update the Louisiana Contractor’s Licensing Law moves through the Senate
On April 23, 2019, by a vote of 94-0, House Bill 273, which is an overall update and revision to Louisiana’s Contractor’s Licensing Law, passed out of the Louisiana House of Representatives. The reengrossed version of the bill, including amendments made in the House Committee on Commerce and those made on the House Floor is
Bill to Revise and Update the Louisiana Private Works Act Passes out of the House of Representatives
On May 8, 2019, by a vote of 91-0, House Bill 203, which is an overall update and revision to Louisiana’s Private Works Act, passed out of the Louisiana House of Representatives. The reengrossed version of the bill, including amendments made in the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure and those made on the
Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors Updated Rules
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors has updated and revised its rules, found in Title 46, Part XXIX of the Louisiana Administrative Code. The Board characterizes these revise rules as intended to simplify and streamline the application and examination process for licensed contractors and those seeking to become licensed contractors. A brief summary of
Enforcing Arbitration Awards in Louisiana
Click here to review a Practice Note explaining how to enforce arbitral awards in the state and federal courts in Louisiana. This Note explains the procedure for confirming an arbitration award in Louisiana, and the grounds on which a party may challenge enforcement under Louisiana and federal law, including the New York Convention on the
Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act Training Required for Mold Remediation Licensing
One of the activities regulated and licensed by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors is Mold Remediation. Any person engaging in or holding herself/himself out as engaging in mold remediation must have a mold remediation license issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Persons violating that prohibition are subject to administrative and
Act 759 of 2014 – Amendments to Louisiana’s Public Bid Law
Act 759 of 2014 updated and amended a number of aspects of Louisiana’s Public Bid Law, set out at La. R.S. 38:2212, et seq. The 2014 Amendments included the following:
- A Public bid opening is no longer required. La. R.S. 38:2212.A.(3)(g)(iii), which previously provided, “[a]ll construction contracts on public works shall be opened in a
Louisiana’s Unique Retainage Escrow Requirements for Construction Contracts
Background of Louisiana Revised Statute 9:4815
Louisiana has a unique statute in its Private Works Act which requires owners to deposit retainage funds in an interest bearing escrow account for construction contracts over $50,000. While a number of other states have statutory provisions as to how much retainage may be withheld under a construction contract, Louisiana’s statute, which does not regulate those substantive terms, instead dictates how those funds are handled during the course of the project.
The statute, found at Louisiana Revised Statute 9:4815, was added to the Private Works Act by Act 638 of 2010. While the bill as originally introduced applied to all funds withheld from periodic payments by an Owner, the final version of the Act applies only to “retainage.”
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