Resources & Insights

Field notes fromthe practice.

Practical writing on construction risk, contracts, payment, and property — from the attorneys who litigate it.

The Miller Act Explained: Payment Rights on Federal Construction Projects

On federal construction projects, subcontractors and suppliers cannot file a mechanic's lien against the property — the Miller Act payment bond is the remedy. How it works, who it protects, and the deadlines that decide these claims.

Jeanne Harrison · October 12, 20266 min read

Construction

When Construction Disputes Involving Government Owners End Up in Federal Court

Most construction cases stay in state court — until the project owner is a government entity. How diversity jurisdiction and federal projects move public-owner disputes into federal court, and what actually changes when they get there.

Jeanne Harrison · October 12, 20266 min read

Dispute Resolution

PILT Explained: Payments in Lieu of Taxes and the $17 Million Case for Local Governments

Federal land pays no local property tax — so Congress created PILT to compensate the counties that host it. How the program works, and how a Court of Federal Claims case recovered more than $17 million for 1,256 local governments.

Jeanne Harrison · October 12, 20266 min read

Construction

Tennessee Mechanic's Lien Laws for General Contractors: Deadlines, Requirements, and How to Protect Your Right to Payment

Tennessee's mechanic's lien laws are highly technical, and a missed deadline can destroy an otherwise valid claim. Here is what general contractors need to know to protect their right to payment.

Jeanne Harrison · September 8, 20269 min read

Construction

Tennessee Prompt Pay Act: A Subcontractor's Guide to Retainage, Escrow Accounts, and Getting Paid

Retainage limits, mandatory escrow accounts, and $300-per-day damages — the Tennessee Prompt Pay Act gives subcontractors powerful protections most never use. Here is how they work.

Jeanne Harrison · September 8, 202612 min read

Construction

Tennessee Prompt Pay Act: What Property Owners and Developers Need to Know Before Withholding Payment or Retainage

The Prompt Pay Act is not just a contractor-protection statute — it creates compliance obligations for owners and developers too. Here is how to reduce litigation risk before a dispute develops.

Jeanne Harrison · September 8, 20268 min read

Construction

Can a Contractor Be Sued Under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act?

Defective work alone does not automatically create a consumer fraud claim. Here is when a construction dispute can cross the line from breach of contract into a Tennessee Consumer Protection Act case.

Jeanne Harrison · September 8, 20269 min read

Business

Does a Breach of Contract Violate the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act?

A broken contract is not automatically consumer fraud. Here is how Tennessee courts separate an ordinary breach of contract from a TCPA claim — and why the difference matters for damages.

Jeanne Harrison · September 8, 20268 min read

Real Estate

Should I Use a Series LLC for My Rental Properties? A Tennessee Investor's Guide to Protecting Real Estate Assets

As a rental portfolio grows, one LLC per property gets unwieldy. A Tennessee Series LLC can compartmentalize risk across investments — but only if it is administered correctly.

Jeanne Harrison · September 8, 20266 min read

Real Estate

Tennessee Seller Disclosure Lawsuits: When Does a Buyer Actually Have a Legal Claim?

Finding a defect after closing does not automatically mean the seller broke the law. Here are the six questions that decide most Tennessee seller disclosure lawsuits.

Jeanne Harrison · September 8, 20266 min read

Construction

Material Escalation Clauses in an Uncertain Market

Lumber, steel, and labor costs don't wait for your contract to catch up. Here's how a well-drafted escalation clause shares the risk instead of handing it to one party.

Jeanne Harrison · June 24, 20266 min read

Construction

What Tennessee Contractors Need to Know About Mechanic's Liens

A mechanic's lien is the strongest payment protection a contractor has — and one of the easiest to lose. Deadlines, notice requirements, and the mistakes that void them.

Jeanne Harrison · May 30, 20267 min read

Dispute Resolution

The Prompt Payment Act: Getting Paid on Time in Tennessee

Tennessee's Prompt Payment Act puts teeth behind your pay applications. Interest penalties, retainage rules, and how to use the statute before you ever file suit.

Jeanne Harrison · May 8, 20265 min read

Business

Five Clauses Every Operating Agreement Needs

Most partnership disputes we litigate trace back to an operating agreement that was downloaded, skimmed, or never written. These five clauses prevent the worst of it.

Jeanne Harrison · April 15, 20266 min read

Real Estate

Quiet Title Actions: Clearing Ownership Disputes in Tennessee

A cloud on title can freeze a sale, kill financing, and stall a development for years. Here's how a quiet title action clears it — and when it's the right tool.

Jeanne Harrison · March 19, 20265 min read

Dispute Resolution

Mediation, Arbitration, or Court: Choosing Your Path

The courtroom isn't the only forum — and it's often not the best one. How to think about cost, control, confidentiality, and speed when a dispute lands on your desk.

Jeanne Harrison · February 27, 20266 min read