Christopher S. Stacy
Partner
Practice Areas:
Chris brings an extensive construction background to his practice as an attorney. Before entering law school, he obtained a degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Texas and spent several years working in the construction industry on interstate highway, oilfield, water, wastewater and corrections projects in Texas, Wyoming and New Mexico. His practice is divided between drafting and negotiating complex design and construction contracts and litigating disputes that arise in the construction industry. In over 10 years of practice as an attorney, he has:
- Developed and negotiated owner-architect, owner-contractor, design-build and project management contracts for use by clients operating in 24 states,Washington D.C., Canada and the United Kingdom.
- Developed and negotiated subcontract and sub-consultant agreements for builders and design professionals working on public and private projects in Texas.
- Both prosecuted and defended dozens of claims alleging design malpractice and/or construction defects on residential, commercial and public projects—including foundation movement, water infiltration, stone veneer and curtain wall failure, retaining wall collapse, inadequate storm water detention, catastrophic roof failure, sound suppression, and mold and other "sick building" cases.
- Litigated commercial and consumer disputes—in both federal and state courts—involving claims for breach of contract and warranty; fraud; Building Code, Water Code and DTPA violations; materialmen's liens; delay claims; cost overruns; and statutory and common law bond claims.
- Negotiated payment bond settlements and performance bond "takeover" and "tender" agreements.
- Represented nationally recognized hotel owners and restaurateurs in franchisee disputes and public interest suits over compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Represented design professionals in disciplinary proceedings before the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners and Texas Board of Professional Engineers.
Education:
- University of Texas at Austin School of Law, J.D., with honors (2000); Member - The Review of Litigation
- University of Texas at Austin, B.S., Architectural Engineering (1992)
Prior Firms:
- Haynes and Boone, L.L.P.
Professional Affiliations:
- State Bar of Texas (Construction Law Section)
- Austin Bar Association (Construction Law Section)
- Associated Builders & Contractors
Publications & Presentations:
- "A Litigator's View of Troublesome Contract Clauses," University of Texas at Austin School of Law Construction Law CLE (2007).
- "Picking Up the Pieces: Performing the Performance Bond," Lorman Education Services Seminar (2005).
- "Basic Risk Allocation Strategies in Contracting for Architects and Engineers," Seminar - University of Texas at Austin School of Law Construction Law CLE (2004).
- "Theories of Liability Against Architects and Engineers," Seminar - University of Texas at Austin School of Law Construction Law CLE (2003) (Matthew J. Sullivan, co-author).
