Harry Z Rippeon III

(The following information was supplied by the firm)

Harry Z. Rippeon, III is a Partner in the Atlanta office of Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP.  Prior to joining the firm, Zack practiced in the construction and commercial litigation group of the Atlanta office of a respected regional law firm. He represents a variety of construction industry professionals, including lenders, owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors and design professionals, assisting with all aspects of construction law. Zack’s experience includes contract formation and negotiation, and asserting and defending claims utilizing all forms of dispute resolution. He also assists clients with statutory and regulatory compliance matters such as lien filings, bond claims and licensing matters.

Zack spent many years as a project manager with several large general contractors, which gives him helpful insight to the legal issues faced by construction clients. Zack worked with major construction companies Clark Construction Group, Skanska USA Building, Inc. and Manhattan Construction Company, gaining valuable experience in the areas of bidding, estimating, scheduling, developing change orders, dealing with delays and unforeseen conditions, processing payment applications, and managing and coordinating subcontractors, owners and design professionals.

EXPERIENCE

• Representing EPC design/build contractor against O&M prime contractor on federal ammunition processing facility in pursuing and defending delay claim and claims related to performance requirements
• Representing 8(a) contractor against federal government in recovering delay and inefficiency claims on Air Force base in South Carolina
• Represented contractor in successfully resolving claims against federal government for design deficiencies in life-safety systems on Army bases in Georgia and California
• Represented contractor in successfully defending against subcontractor claims for delay and inefficiencies and wrongful termination on government sustainability center.
• Represented contractor in successfully resolving defective design claims against federal government arising from unsuitable soils at Army Reserve Center.
• Represented contractor in a full recovery against sitework and utility subcontractor arising from subcontractor default and termination at Army Depot in Texas.
• Successfully completed construction of state college science and nursing facility, including development and management of CPM schedule and all owner/subcontractor matters.
• Successfully completed construction of multiple federal law enforcement training centers and firing ranges.
• Successfully completed construction of multiple K-12 facilities ranging from $2M to $60M, including development and management of CPM schedule and all owner/subcontractor matters.

• Represented brewery regarding design and construction of processing systems for plant expansion in Georgia
• Successfully completed construction of dairy processing plant in South Carolina
• Successfully completed construction of pharmaceutical manufacturing plant upgrades in South Carolina

• Represented contractor in successfully defending against $20+ million Miller Act lawsuit relating to delay, inefficiency and change order claims on a hospital facility for the federal government. Summary judgment was entered in favor of contractor as to subcontractor’s claims.
• Represented contractor in recovery of scope and delay claims exceeding $200 million on a hospital replacement facility for the federal government before the Board of Contract Appeals and Dispute Review Board.
• Represented contractor in successfully resolving multiple claims for delay and scope on a federal psychiatric facility in California.
• Represented contractor in successfully resolving multiple subcontractor claims for wrongful termination, Miller Act, and additional scope and delay

• Representing Spanish infrastructure contractor in construction of highway interchange project in Georgia

• Successfully completed extensive renovation and restoration of church and chapel at HBCU in Georgia, including development and management of CPM schedule and all owner/subcontractor matters.

• Successfully completed development and construction of integrated parking facility and twin office towers in DC Metro