Brian R. Gaudet

Brian Gaudet’s practice encompasses all aspects of the project and construction cycle from contract document preparation, review and negotiation to litigation and dispute resolution of related claims. Brian provides effective contract document preparation, creation, and negotiation to structure relationships that will put our clients in a position to handle the inevitable challenges that arise throughout the course of a project. Brian’s wealth of experience in negotiating construction related agreements from the various points of view gives him tremendous insight into the goals and objectives of each of the parties and assists in crafting negotiated contract clauses which require insightfulness and creativity to get the parties past the deal-breaker items.

Throughout the course of the project, Brian’s focus shifts to problem solving, dispute minimization, and dispute avoidance. When those efforts are unsuccessful Brian is often engaged to assist with the making or evaluation of mechanics and materialmen’s lien and payment and performance bond claims. Brian’s significant experience representing surety companies is an asset to those clients dealing with performance or payment bond defaults on bonded projects.

Brian also has experience in negotiating and documenting other commercial relationships related to the industries he works with. Brian has been involved in contract documentation and negotiation for both public and private projects including domestic and international projects totaling more than several billion dollars in the areas of oil and gas, EPC, EPCM, industrial, pipelines, highway, fiber optics, infrastructure, solar, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, chemicals, commercial, education, retail, residential, multi-family residential, affordable housing, supply, distributorships, etc. Additionally, Brian is Board Certified in Construction Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, having earned that recognition from the first year that such an area of specialization was offered.

Prior to joining the firm, Brian was a Director in the Houston, Texas office of a well-established law firm in its litigation, construction, and surety practice sections. Previously, he served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Richard H. Edelman and the Honorable Charles W. Seymore in the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston.

In addition to the practice of law, Brian spent several years on the Adjunct Faculty at the University of Houston where he taught Construction Documentation in their Construction Management Program.

Brian has authored numerous articles and routinely speaks on a wide variety of current topics concerning the construction industry, including at local, state, national and international events.

Brian currently serves as the Editor for the American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Construction Litigation Committee as well as the Law360 Construction Editorial Advisory Board.

Brian is consistently recognized at the highest levels by his peers. He was recognized as a Texas "Super Lawyer" in 2020 and 2021 and a “Rising Star” in 2014 and each of the four years immediately preceding by Super Lawyers magazine. Brian was listed in the 2021 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of Construction. He is AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell.*

Brian is a member of Mensa.

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