Thursday / October 06, 2016 / 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Everything You Need to Know: AIA Contract Documents for Small Firms
AIA Chicago, 35 East Wacker Drive, #250
AIA Chicago welcomes Kenneth Cobleigh and Susan Van Bell from the Contract Documents department at the American Institute of Architects in Washington, DC. They will discuss the various AIA contract documents of interest to small firms and sole practitioners, how to use them effectively, and resources available to make contract administration more efficient. ken and Susan will discuss common challenges small firms face and how to use appropriate contracts to properly allocate risks and responsibilities to achieve a successful project- to the benefit of all project participants, building inhabitants and the general public.
We'll start with refreshments at 5:30pm, and the program will begin promptly at 6:00.
Risk management and effective contract administration are crucial for small firms and sole practitioners. The Small Projects family of AIA Contract Documents provides comprehensive contract documents that can be used on residential projects, small commercial projects, or other projects of relatively low cost and brief duration, to protect the project and interests of all parties. Another useful resource is the Guide to AIA Contract Documents for Small Projects: Resources for Small Project Practitioners, including Small Firms, Sole Practitioners and Custom Residential Architects.
In addition, the AIA publishes numerous other agreements and guides that are useful to small firms, including the AIA Sustainable Projects documents, the AIA Guide for Sustainable Projects, and the Comparisons of AIA Documents for Sustainable Projects.
Speakers:
Kenneth W. Cobleigh, Esq., serves as Managing Director and Counsel, AIA Contract Documents, at the American Institute of Architects. He works with a team of lawyers, specialists and support staff, and the AIA Documents Committee, in developing and publishing AIA Contract Documents, and in providing support services to contract document users. Ken joined the American Institute of Architects as Senior Director and Associate Counsel in October 2006 and was actively involved in the 2007 contract documents release. Prior to joining the AIA, Ken practiced for eighteen years as a construction attorney in private practice Maryland law firms.
Susan Van Bell, Esq., serves as Senior Director and Counsel, AIA Contract Documents, at the American Institute of Architects. Susan works with the AIA Documents Committee in the development of AIA Contract Documents, manages their production in paper and in AIA software, and directly supervises the customer support the AIA provides to its contract documents users. She obtained her undergraduate degree with honors from Georgetown University and her J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law in 1992. Prior to joining the AIA in 2007, Susan served for two years as a judicial law clerk, followed by thirteen years in private practice. Susan is a member of the bar in the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia.
PARKING NOTE: if you drive to this event, AIA Chicago has discount cards for the InterPark Theater District garage at Lake and Dearborn streets.
