Joe Watson

Joe Watson is a Nashville attorney who focuses his practice on construction-related issues for a broad range of clients. His practice includes representation of owners, developers and contractors in all phases of construction projects: developing the design and construction agreements at the front end; assisting clients navigate issues that arise during the project and in claim avoidance; and, at project conclusion, prosecuting and defending claims and disputes. Mr. Watson represents clients on private and public projects ranging from urban high-rises and heavy civil construction to the development of healthcare facilities, hospitality properties, manufacturing facilities, mixed-use commercial developments and tenant buildouts.

In his transactional practice, Mr. Watson is experienced in preparing and negotiating stipulated sum, guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and design-build construction contracts, in addition to design agreements. He routinely develops and advises clients regarding modified American Institute of Architects (AIA) contracts, custom contracts/templates, master agreements and other industry-recognized contract forms.

Inevitably disputes arise, and Mr. Watson assists owners and contractors in resolving commercial construction disputes in the most cost-effective way possible, whether in the courtroom or through alternative dispute resolution (mediation and arbitration). He prosecutes and defends claims related to design and construction defects, project and schedule delays, payment disputes, cost overrun and change order disputes, mechanic's and materialman's liens, and insurance coverage disputes pertaining to construction issues. By working closely with his clients and learning the issues that are most important and valuable to them, Mr. Watson is able to efficiently and pragmatically resolve issues and disputes, so clients can focus on their day-to-day operations.

He has made numerous continuing legal education presentations on various construction issues, including Tennessee's construction lien and prompt pay/retainage statutes.

While in law school, Mr. Watson worked at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Following law school, he served as a law clerk to the Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, the Honorable Gary R. Wade.

Representative Construction Litigation and Dispute Resolution Experience

• Obtained $4.5 million arbitration award on behalf of owner/developer against contractor on a downtown Nashville high-rise project due to the contractor’s delayed completion and construction defects
• Obtained $6 million arbitration award on behalf of national healthcare provider against solar contractor relating to the contractor’s misrepresentations and defective work on projects at the client’s facilities across the U.S.
• Obtained federal jury verdict in favor of general contractor in connection with Tennessee Department of Transportation highway project
• Secured $3.5 million arbitration award on behalf of government contractor and successfully defended against $7 million in claims in connection with delays on U.S. Department of Defense project
• Routinely represent contractors and subcontractors in filing mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens and prosecuting lien and Prompt Pay Act claims

Representative Design and Construction Transactions

• Drafted and negotiated a national healthcare provider’s design-build construction agreement on project funded by state Department of Health
• Developed and negotiated construction and construction management agreements for owner/developer of $275 million, 60-story downtown Nashville high-rise building
• Draft and negotiate design and construction vendor agreements for national hotel chain’s projects at its properties across the U.S.
• Developed construction agreement and terms and conditions for U.S. Department of Defense facility operator
• Drafted and negotiated design agreements on behalf of developer of $170 million, 600,000 square feet hotel/condo/retail mixed-use development
• Developed master design agreements, master construction agreements, site adapt design agreements and template vendor agreements for national franchisor and its various brands
• Developed and negotiated $100 million design-build construction agreement for professional sports venue