Veteran construction lawyer and PDCA Conference presenter Kalson elevates from Vice Chairman
Orange Park, FL (August 5, 2020): With nearly 30 years of construction law and litigation experience behind him, 22 years exclusively as a full-time construction lawyer, Richard D. Kalson, Esq. is named the new Chairman for the PDCA Contracts and Risk Committee. Mr. Kalson is a Partner at national firm Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP and practices from Columbus, OH and Pittsburgh, PA. The PDCA Board of Directors ratified the new chairmanship with a unanimous vote in June 2020.
[Mr. Kalson (pictured) presented "Effects of Substance Abuse on the Construction Industry" for the opening program in the PDCA 2020 Annual Conference Webinar Series on August 5, 2020. The Series resumes September 2nd, and again the first Wednesday of each month through December.]
"Through my experience serving as Vice Chair for the Contracts and Risk Committee, we have worked to build a framework to provide necessary information to PDCA members so they become equipped to help themselves navigate the variety of legal risks they face every day," stated Mr. Kalson. "I look forward to collaborating with all PDCA members on formulating a list of key contractual provisions for their consideration when negotiating a subcontract."
In his law practice, Mr. Kalson provides counsel to subcontractors, contractors, suppliers and project owners in litigation and business consultation matters, including many ENR 400 contractors and ENR 600 specialty contractors, on all phases of the construction process on projects throughout the United States. He has represented clients in construction disputes involving infrastructure, bridges, petrochemical plants, commercial buildings, hotels, and government buildings, among many others, before courts and arbitrators in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Wisconsin, New York, Maryland, Virginia, California, Minnesota, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Georgia and many other states across the country.
A construction lawyer for 27 years, Mr. Kalson earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota School of Law following a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin where he continues a relationship as a visiting lecturer and loyal fan of Badger athletics. He also holds prominent positions in the construction industry including a Board seat with the Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors and a Vice-Chairmanship at the Deep Foundations Institute.
He enthusiastically concluded this interview; "This Committee has delivered educational presentations at almost every major PDCA event in recent years and we will continue providing instruction to PDCA members at future events, both live and remote."