Industry Overview
The construction industry is facing new opportunities, along with significant challenges, in the upcoming years. New practices in sustainable construction have arisen from the spate of high-profile natural disasters, with additional resiliency requirements being imposed. An uptick in federal infrastructure investment is expected to continue, in addition to projects spurred by new financing options and a loosening of regulatory oversight. A tight labor force will continue to encourage the adoption of technology and offsite construction in order to meet demand. Being prepared to leverage these opportunities will require being able to successfully navigate the new regulatory landscape—while safeguarding contracts and negotiations.
Our Approach
We have built a national reputation for seasoned legal counsel within the most demanding reaches of the construction business. With more than 30 attorneys dedicated to this practice—working alongside specialists in complementary disciplines such as taxation, real estate, energy, and litigation—we are known for the results we achieve for construction clients of all descriptions. Our construction attorneys are continually recognized as first-tier influencers within the industry who have earned the respect of clients, judges, hearing officers, arbitrators, and opposing counsel.
Nationally Recognized
Newsroom
IEEPA Tariff Ruling Update
February 27, 2026Last week, we reported on the Supreme Court's decision striking down tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ("IEEPA"). We promised to keep you informed as developments unfolded and here is the latest you need to know. New Tariffs Are Already in Place. Mere hours after the ruling, President Trump invoked the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a 10% global tariff on nearly all imports, effective February 24, 2026.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs—Implications for Contractors
February 20, 2026Today, in a 6-3 decision, the United States Supreme Court, in an opinion by Chief Justice John Roberts, ruled that President Trump violated federal law when he unilaterally imposed tariffs on foreign countries under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”). This carries potentially significant implications for the construction industry. The Court rejected the administration's argument that IEEPA's grant of authority to "regulate … importation"
Hinckley Allen Advances Strategic Growth with Lateral Hires in Boston, Hartford, and Providence
September 25, 2025Hinckley Allen is pleased to announce the addition of three new attorneys across its Boston, Hartford, and Providence offices, reflecting the firm’s ongoing expansion across a wide range of industries and practice areas. In Hartford, the Real Estate & Development Practice welcomes Enrico “Rick” Costantini as counsel, and Isabella Colapietro Pagliarini as an associate in Providence. Julia G.
Hinckley Allen Recognized for Excellence: 75% Attorneys Honored in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026
August 21, 2025Hinckley Allen is proud to announce that 127 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, representing 75% of the firm’s legal team.
The Legal 500 Honors Hinckley Allen with National Ranking and US Boston Elite Distinction
June 12, 2025Hinckley Allen is proud to announce its recognition by The Legal 500 in its United States 2025 edition, earning a national ranking in US Real Estate: Construction and a regional ranking in US Boston Elite: Commercial Litigation. “We are honored to receive our national ranking by The Legal 500 for the strength of our Construction & Public Contracts Practice,” said Joel Lewin, co-chair of Hinckley Allen’s Construction & Public Contracts Group. In addition to the firm’s rankings, Michelle R.
Hinckley Allen Guides Complex ESOP for Family-Owned Construction Firm
June 15, 2026Hinckley Allen represented Rifenburg Holdings, Inc. (“Rifenburg”) in the sale of 100% ownership interests to the organization’s newly formed Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Rifenburg, one of Upstate New York’s oldest and largest family-owned construction firms, has operated for over 60 years.
Hinckley Allen Recognized for Fifth Consecutive Year Among Construction Executive's Top 50 Construction Law Firms™
June 4, 2025Hinckley Allen has again been recognized as one of the nation’s leading construction law firms, earning a spot on Construction Executive magazine’s Top 50 Construction Law Firms™ list for 2025. This marks the fifth consecutive year the firm has received this national acclaim. “We’re honored to be recognized once again by Construction Executive,” said Joel Lewin, partner and co-chair of Hinckley Allen’s Construction & Public Contracts Group.
Market Volatility, Tariffs, And Executive Orders: Impacts On The Construction Industry
July 1, 2025This article was featured in the June 2025 edition of the Connecticut Construction Industries Association's CONNstruction Magazine. The construction industry is at the mercy of the market volatility created by shifting trade policies, and sweeping executive orders that have rapidly reshaped the construction landscape overnight. The lingering uncertainty affects budgeting, costs, project timelines, and parties’ willingness to carry risk.
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Releases Much-Anticipated Prompt Pay Act Decision
June 18, 2024Watch Partner Robert Ferguson explain the key takeaways. [video width="1280" height="720"
Supreme Court Decision Yields Significant Impacts for Closely Held Businesses
July 25, 2024On June 6, 2024, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that life insurance proceeds should be included in the fair market valuation of a corporation for federal estate tax purposes. In Connelly v. United States, the Supreme Court further concluded that a corporation’s obligation to redeem a deceased shareholder’s interests does not offset the value of such life insurance proceeds.
U.S. DOT Rule Revisions to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Take Effect – How Might These Changes Affect You?
May 20, 2024On May 9, 2024, the United States Department of Transportation’s (“USDOT”) amendments to the rules governing the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“ACDBE”) went into effect. making technical corrections to commonly misinterpreted rules. These regulatory changes will have an impact on administration of the DBE and ACDBE program at the federal, state and local levels.
Contractors, Beware: General Liability Insurers Wrongfully Denying Claims for Damage Caused by Defective Subcontractor Work
February 7, 2024As a contractor, you are familiar with working together with subcontractors — delegating project scope as part of the overall job. However, when a subcontractor’s work is defective, who is liable for the damage? This is not an unfamiliar issue to contractors — more than likely, you have responded to one or more claims that a subcontractor’s work was defective and that the defective work damaged other non-defective project work.
Private Construction Projects Impacted by Changes to NY Prompt Payment Act
June 15, 2026Governor Hochul signed Senate Bill 3539, amending Section 756-a and Section 756-c of the New York General Business Law – better known as the Prompt Payment Act (“PPA”). Because the law can override portions of construction contracts dealing with payment, suspension of work, and dispute resolution, it is critical that construction companies and contractors understand the ramifications of the changes that affect all contracts entered into on and after November 17, 2023. Even inadvertent violations of the law can create liability and lead to penalties and interest accrual.
Cybersecurity Issues on the Rise
June 15, 2026You are undoubtedly familiar with various types of business email compromise scams, likely because you probably receive several a month. Many of these email scams are easily identifiable. Oftentimes, the spelling and grammar is poor, the emails are riddled with typographical and other errors, and you are not familiar with the sender or its sometimes bizarre email address.
OSHA Developments
November 1, 2023As you know, the construction industry remains a major target for OSHA inspections and enforcement. No. 1.
Hinckley Allen Secures Landmark Summary Judgment Decision for a Construction Client in $100M+ Litigation Battle
June 15, 2026In September 2023, Hinckley Allen achieved a monumental victory in securing summary judgment on behalf of a national privately-held construction client (“Contractor”). This triumph was secured on a complex infrastructure project (“Project”) in Miami, Florida, and serves as a testament to the Firm's strategic excellence. Hinckley Allen orchestrated a legal defense that resulted in the pre-trial dismissal of a formidable claim for liquidated damages in excess of $100 million asserted by a Project Owner (“Owner”) in a lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County.
