- Represented a co-owner of the first nuclear power plant licensed and constructed in the U.S. in more than 30 years. The plant is a $14 billion project, and litigation arose out of three years of delay and $1.5 billion in alleged cost overruns.
- Represented an international general contractor in a dispute against a city and its design team arising out of schedule delays and other claims made by the general contractor during the construction of a world-class performing arts center.
- Represented an independent power producer in a dispute with an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor over cost issues pertaining to the installation of wet scrubbers in three coal-fired power plants. The contract price was more than $1 billion, and our client argued that the EPC contractor overbilled for the work and ignored the terms of the parties’ contract regarding reimbursable costs. After several pre-trial rulings in our client’s favor pending in the Southern District of New York, including the granting of partial summary judgment, the EPC contractor agreed to settle the matter days before a jury was selected. As a result, our client avoided more than $60 million in costs assessed by the contractor.
- Counsel to a large global developer in the prosecution of a multimillion-dollar construction defect claim against a general contractor in which 10 mixed-use retail and residential buildings in Atlanta were damaged by water intrusion. Repairs to the damaged property exceeded $16 million, and the client recovered more than $12 million in settlement.
- Represented a large national industrial developer in drafting a suite of form construction documents, including architect agreements, engineering agreements, design-build agreements, lump sum agreements, cost-plus agreements, and service agreements.
- Represented the leading global foodservice retailer, with more than 36,000 restaurants worldwide, in developing its master construction contract to be utilized in each new build and remodel nationwide.
- Drafted and negotiated construction management, architect, and project management agreements for arena renovations and a new training facility for a professional basketball team.
- Drafted and negotiated agreements on behalf of a hospitality group for the design and construction of a new prototype hotel.
- Represented a national general contractor against a student housing developer in a month-long arbitration. The client asserted claims for delay, acceleration, unpaid change orders, and contract balance, and defended against the developer’s claims for defective work. The arbitration panel awarded the client $8 million, and the developer received nothing for its claims.
- Assisted clients in managing termination of defaulting contractors, and other related issues, on troubled projects.
Partner,
- Phone: 404.881.7667
- Email: debbie.cazan@alston.com
For 17 years, Debbie has represented clients in the resolution of complex construction, development and real estate disputes. Her clients depend on her to advocate for their needs across the country in high-profile, high-dollar claims spanning nearly every industry. She uses her experience to counsel clients on arrangements that minimize the chances of disputes before, during and after construction.