Strategies for Preparing Effective Agreements, and Navigating Contract Disputes

W. Matthew Bryant | Saul Ewing LLP

W. Matthew Bryant is Counsel in the Chicago office of Saul Ewing LLP, where he focuses his practice on construction law. He writes and negotiates construction contracts for private and public projects, representing participants including owners, architects, engineers, general contractors, and subcontractors. Mr. Bryant resolves construction project performance and payment disputes, including surety bond claims and mechanics lien claims. He also represents owners and contractors in litigation matters including defense and prosecution of breach of contract, warranty, and construction defect claims. Mr. Bryant has defended design professionals against claims of professional negligence. He has written and spoken on many construction-related topics, including contract negotiation, public construction, and licensure of construction professionals. Among other organizations, he is a member of the Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys and the Steering Committee of the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law Division 7 for Insurance, Surety, and Liens.

Noel R. Bagwell, III, Esq. | Counsel & Clarity Legal, PLLC

Noel R. Bagwell, III, Esq. is a seasoned attorney, author, speaker, and transformative leadership coach based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the founder of Counsel & Clarity™, a unique brand that fuses legal expertise with resilient leadership coaching, specifically designed to empower growth-stage businesses and their leaders. With over 11 years of legal practice, Noel specializes in preventive legal strategies that go beyond traditional billable hours, focusing instead on value-driven outcomes that reduce risk and enhance enterprise stability.

As a Resilient Leadership Coach, Noel has a proven track record of helping leaders and teams transform adversity into opportunity, achieving meaningful results often in just one to two sessions. His upcoming book, Lead Again: A Modern Guide to Resilience, will soon be released under Manuscripts Publishing.

A sought-after public speaker, Noel has engaged with over 5,000 attendees through workshops, seminars, and Continuing Legal Education courses. His contributions to society are recognized through multiple awards, including being a five-time recipient of the TN Supreme Court’s Attorney for Justice award and the Clarksville, TN Mayor’s Certificate for his servant leadership. Noel’s work is not only statistically impressive but profoundly impactful, fostering a synergistic ecosystem of legal acumen and transformative leadership.

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +1 615.716.0606
Linkedin: HTTPS://WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/COUNSEL-AND-CLARITY/

Session I – Mastering Contractual Precision: Clear language, interrelated agreements, and amendments | 11:00am – 12:00pm

• Use of Clear and Precise Contract Language
• Interrelated Agreements
• Contract Amendments

Break | 12:00pm – 12:10pm

Session II – Mastering Litigation Strategies: Effective approaches to navigating contract disputes | 12:10pm – 1:10pm

• Effective Contract Drafting Essentials
  • Identifying and defining crucial terms and conditions
  • Incorporating dispute resolution mechanisms (e.g., arbitration, mediation)
  • Ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations
• Strategic Risk Management and Mitigation
  • Allocating and mitigating risks through targeted contract terms
  • Leveraging indemnity, limitation of liability, and warranty clauses
  • Implementing regular contract reviews and updates to address changing circumstances
• Advanced Negotiation Tactics and Best Practices
  • Thorough negotiation preparation: research, objective-setting, and counterparty analysis
  • Employing effective communication and persuasion techniques
  • Strategies for overcoming impasses and achieving mutually beneficial agreements
• Navigating and Preventing Contract Disputes
  • Analyzing common causes of contract disputes
  • Implementing preventative measures in contract drafting and execution
  • Effective strategies for resolving disputes when they arise