Posts By: Chris Wielinski

Cokinos | Young is pleased to announce that Marshall Holmes (Houston), Jas Samra (San Francisco) and Darrell Taylor (Houston) have been promoted to Principal in recognition of their commitment to their clients and the firm, hard work and dedication.

“This class of Principals embody our core values and are committed to efficiency, value and client service,” said founding partner Gregory Cokinos. “These are the future leaders of the firm and they have earned the respect of our clients and principals. We look forward to their continued contributions to our success.”

“All three attorneys deliver the highest quality of work for our clients and have proven themselves as critical members of our Cokinos | Young Family,” said founding partner Marc Young. “We are fortunate and grateful to welcome each of them as Principal.”

Congratulations Marshall, Jas and Darrell. We are proud to have you all as part of our Cokinos | Young family.

On June 11, 2021, the Texas Supreme Court granted oral argument in a construction dispute that will significantly affect the construction industry and its professionals. General contractor James Construction Group, LLC and its parent company Primoris Services Corporation, both represented by Cokinos | Young, seek enforcement of an unambiguous termination-for-default provision that requires three separate owner-provided written notices before effective termination for default. Among the issues that Cokinos | Young has asked the Texas Supreme Court to address is whether an owner must strictly comply with the agreed-upon express conditions precedent to its right to terminate its contract with the general contractor for default and recover damages from the general contractor, or whether “substantial” compliance with those conditions is sufficient. The date of oral argument has not yet been announced. The Texas Supreme Court’s decision will have long-term impacts on contracts for construction projects, so follow closely. See James Construction Group, LLC & Primoris Services Corporation v. Westlake Chemical Corporation, No. 20-0079.

Full post on Law 360.

Congratulations to the 17 Cokinos | Young lawyers listed in the 2021 Edition of Texas’ Best Lawyers®. Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected guide to the legal profession in the world. For almost 40 years, Best Lawyers has assisted those in need of legal services to identify the lawyers best qualified to represent them in distant jurisdictions or unfamiliar specialties. Best Lawyers lists are published in leading local, regional, and national publications across the globe.

• Gregory M. Cokinos – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law
• Pat J. Wielinski – Insurance Law, Construction Law
• Stephanie L. O’Rourke – Construction Law
• Stephanie H. Cook – Construction Law
• Stanley W. Curry – Construction Law
• Jay K. Farwell – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law
• W. Patrick Garner – Construction Law
• Charles Getman – Construction Law
• John L. Grayson – Construction Law, Personal Injury Defense Litigation (D)
• Dana Livingston – Appellate
• Shelly Masters – Construction Law
• Roger D. Townsend – Appellate Practice
• John C. Warren – Construction Law
• J. Parker Fauntleroy – Personal Injury Defense Litigation (D)

One’s to Watch

• James S. Richards
• Christopher C. Wan

Cokinos | Young is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized by Construction Executive magazine in The Top 50 Construction Law Firms™ for 2021. Construction Executive ranked C|Y 2nd among the top 50 construction practices in the country. Cokinos | Young is known for its commitment and expertise in the construction industry. Read the full article here.

About Construction Executive
Construction Executive is the magazine for the business of construction. It reaches more than 55,000 commercial, industrial and institutional contractors and construction-related business owners and has won more than 20 editorial awards. Since first being published by Associated Builders and Contractors Services Corp. in 2003, the magazine has served as the leading source for news, market developments and business issues impacting the construction industry. Each issue includes articles designed to help owners and top managers run a more profitable and productive construction business, covering hot-button issues such as workforce development, insurance, estimating, project management, safety and liability, technological advancements and legislative action. For more information, visit www.constructionexec.com.

Everything you need to know when it comes to contracting in Texas.

We have teamed up with Chambers and Partners to host a free webinar that discusses the Risks and Rewards of Contracting in Texas. Our President and CEO, Gregory M. Cokinos and Principal, Stephanie H. Cook along with James Haggerty with Chambers and Partners to discussed the following key areas:

• Public and private entity claim resolution
• Prompt pay and enforcement protocols
• Contingent payment provisions
• Trends in Texas construction
• Impact of COVID-19 on business operations in the state

Watch the Webinar Recording

Additional materials:

Presentation Slides

About Cokinos | Young

It is with great pleasure that we announce John DiBiasi and his team from the firm of Lewis DiBiasi Zaita & Higgins, LLP in Saddle River, New Jersey (the successor to Lewis & McKenna) will be joining Cokinos | Young on June 1, 2021. This merger will increase Cokinos’ ability to serve our clients more effectively from coast to coast.

John DiBiasi, who started with Lewis & McKenna in 2003, will be joining Cokinos as a Principal. John has an extensive background in engineering and construction. He brings hands-on expertise to his work. His notable work, wins, and reputation for exceptional client service align with Cokinos’ values. With the addition of John and his team from Lewis DiBiasi, Cokinos will offer greater resources, bench strength, and an expanded geographic footprint.

Cokinos | Young transcends the traditional practice of law. Our clients are the core of our Cokinos | Young Family. We are fully committed to providing the highest level of legal knowledge, skills, and expertise with the goal of achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients. We are innovators that seek to exceed our client’s expectations and this merger will allow us to continue to move the needle forward. John DiBiasi and his team create a monumental upside for both our clients and for our continued growth.

The office in New Jersey will remain open and become an existing office for Cokinos | Young. The office is located at 82 E Allendale Rd, Saddle River, NJ 07458

Cokinos | Young has once again been ranked among the leading law firms in Chambers’ 2021 USA Guide. The prestigious, independent legal industry referral guide has ranked Gregory M. Cokinos, Patrick J. Wielinski, Stephanie L. O’Rourke and Roger D. Townsend as leaders in their fields. As a firm, Cokinos | Young  has also been ranked in Construction and Insurance law.

Chambers USA ranks the top attorneys and law firms across the United States. Rankings for individual attorneys in their practice area(s) are based on an evaluation of their legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness, and client service. A law firm ranking relates to a department of the firm and the qualities of the ranked attorneys within that department. Factors and considerations are judged by interviews with those active in the market – mainly clients and other attorneys with whom they work – and by assessing the size, complexity, and significance of recent matters handled. You can learn more about Chambers USA here.

Chambers USA 2021 ranked the firm in the following categories:

• Construction (Texas)
• Insurance (Texas)

Chambers USA 2021 ranked the following Cokinos | Young attorneys in the following categories:

• Gregory M. Cokinos (Construction Law in Texas)
• Patrick J. Wielinski (Construction & Insurance Law in Texas)
• Stephanie O’Rourke (Construction Law in Texas)
• Roger D. Townsend (Litigation: Appellate in Texas)

Roger D. Townsend, co-head of our Appeals and Legal Issues Group, led the effort in securing on appeal a savings of almost $60 million for a major energy company. The decision was the first to define the phrase “willful misconduct” that is used in Model Form Joint Operating Agreements throughout Texas.