Adam E. Richards

An integral member of our Florida team, Adam E. Richards is Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar – a distinction earned by less than 1% of Florida lawyers.  His passion lies in guiding clients through Florida’s complex construction and development landscape, offering comprehensive support from negotiating agreements before a shovel hits the ground to dispute resolution efforts post-completion.

Adam’s project portfolio is diverse, ranging from buildings that shape Florida’s skyline as we know it today, including hotels, courthouses, as well as one of the tallest residential towers in the country, to vital infrastructure such as roads, expressways, treatment plants, courthouses and airports.

His legal journey began by navigating construction defects and learning of the pivotal role of insurance in this domain. Transitioning to a boutique firm, he honed his transactional skills in drafting and negotiating industry-wide construction contracts.

Previously, Adam served as General Counsel and Vice President of Operations for South Florida’s largest residential roofing contractor. This invaluable experience deepened his understanding of not only the construction industry, but of business, including operations, processes, management and customer service.

His complex construction experience includes contract disputes, delays, non-payment claims, liens, bonds, defects, insurance claims/loss events, damages to property, catastrophic injuries/fatalities, and risk transfer/indemnity matters both pre-suit and in litigation.  His record in Florida’s state and federal courts reflects his nuanced understanding and adept navigation of legal intricacies.

At the core of our construction law practice, Adam E. Richards is more than a legal advisor—he’s a dedicated partner invested in your project’s success.

Education & Credentials

Education

Binghamton University - SUNY

B.A., Philosophy, Politics, and Law
cum laude

University of Miami School of Law

J.D.
cum laude

Bar Admission

  • Florida

Acknowledgements

2019 Rising Star, Attorney At Law Magazine (Miami Edition/Vol. 8, No. 1)
2021 Construction Editorial Board Member at Law360 
Construction Angels 
2020-2023 11th Circuit Grievance Committee for the Florida Bar
 

Prominent Assignments

  • Serving as outside general counsel to international general contractor and several local builders/trades.
  • Represented national general contractor in several multi-million dollar disputes in both the public and private sector.
  • Procured favorable resolution of wrongful death claim on behalf of national general contractor.
  • Obtained favorable resolution of $28 Million construction defect claim on behalf of subcontractor.
  • Obtained complete defense arbitration award on behalf of local builder.
  • Prevailed at trial in dispute between condominium and unit owner.
  • Successfully resolved catastrophic injury lawsuit on behalf of condominium association involving renovations to the property.
  • Obtained favorable resolution of vibratory damages claims both pre-suit and in litigation.
  • Successfully pursued subrogation on behalf of property owner against both general contractor and subcontractor involving commercial build-out.
  • Procured favorable resolutions for a multitude of delay, payment, extra work, and construction/design defect disputes, both pre-suit and in litigation, on behalf of owners, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals.
  • Prevailed in dispositive motions based upon dispute resolution procedures and contingent payment clauses in both prime and subcontract agreements.
  • Successfully negotiated a variety of construction agreements for residential and commercial projects in both the public and private sectors.
  • Obtained dismissal with prejudice of $750,000.00 subrogation claim for alleged construction defects filed against property owner by carrier for condominium association.      

Publications/Presentations

Navigating Construction Company Relationships During a Building Boom, September 21, 2023
Construction Executive, “Managing Once-in-a-Generation Construction Problems – Part I,” March 7, 2023
Adam Richards, Presenter, “New AIA Insurance and Bond Exhibit: Owner Financing, Subcontractor Liens, Termination Fees, Notice of Claims,” December 6, 2022
Construction Executive “Construction Executives Should Be Dusting Off Employee Handbooks,” December 3, 2021
Adam Richards, Moderator, South Florida Construction, Development & Design: Managing Costs, Navigating Population Influx, & Keeping Up with Design Trends, Bisnow, November 30, 2021
Adam E. Richards, Presenter, ‘Construction Law Best Practices’, Builders Association of South Florida Annual Meeting, September 23, 2021
Adam E. Richards, Speaker, ‘DigiBuild Blockchain: The Future of Project Delivery’, Shadow Summit 2021, September 22, 2021
Adam E. Richards, Presenter, “No Change Order Agreements in Construction: Mitigating Risks to Contractors and Limiting Costs”, Strafford, September 15, 2021
Law360 “Fla. Construction Defect Law Lacks Teeth, Despite Updates,” March 12, 2021
South Florida Business Journal “Litigation risks high in Florida: Business owners and property managers should be on alert,” February 16, 2021
Adam Richards, Speaker, “What You Need to Know About Insurable Interest,” Construction & Insurance Law Webinar Series, January 27, 2021
Webinar: How to Resolve Nonpayment Disputes, October 15, 2020
Adam Richards, Panelist, “Covid Best Practices for Employers, FSA,” March 31, 2020
Construction Claims Magazine, “The Best Indemnity Party Ever,” May 31, 2017
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