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Professional Experience
Joel Darrington joined McDonough Holland & Allen’s Construction Practice Group in 2007, after six years as an associate with LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae LLP in New York City. He represents private and public clients, including owners, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers in construction transactions and problem resolution. In particular, Joel has significant experience in construction transactions, representing both large and small institutions in structuring their contracts with design firms and construction companies. He has negotiated and drafted many construction management agreements including those structured as guaranteed maximum price, lump sum or not-at-risk agency agreements as well as numerous architect and other design firm agreements. Joel also counsels clients regarding problems involving design firms, contractors or owners, advising on contract administration, and facilitating legal aspects of the close-out of construction projects. Joel’s background encompasses construction-related transactional matters for prison medical facilities, performing arts centers, museums, academic campuses, schools, cultural facilities, and office buildings.
In addition to his construction experience, Joel has significant real estate experience. During his time at LeBoeuf, he participated in purchase and sale transactions, leases and other real estate activities for both commercial and nonprofit clients. He also has helped with the formation and organization of corporations and limited liability companies to hold interests in real estate and performed research on real estate law, nonprofit entity issues, and, of course, construction matters.
Representative Matters
Key player on the attorney team acting as special construction counsel to the federal Receiver appointed to assume executive management of the health care of California state prisoners. Joel works closely with fellow attorneys Will Lichtig and Dawn Balzarano to advise the Receiver and the Receiver’s consultants on the design and construction of the Receiver’s $7 billion design and construction program to upgrade and expand the state prison medical infrastructure. A major feature of the construction program is the planned use of innovative project delivery methods such as Integrated Project Delivery, design-build and design-build-bridging.
Played key role in preparing the bid documents and negotiating the contract for the $100+ million remediation and deconstruction of a 42-story contaminated office building in lower Manhattan; extensively involved in contract administration and problem resolution between the owner and contractor during the project.
Participated extensively in the drafting and contract administration of an $8.5 million architect agreement and $102 million guaranteed maximum price construction contract for the construction of a new LEED®-certified academic building for a major Manhattan college campus.
Served as lead negotiator of a $7 million construction contract for a visitors center for a nature preserve in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park.
Represented a private school in the drafting and negotiation of its construction contract for an $11 million new school facility, and helped the school manage the close-out of the construction project upon completion.
Presentations/Publications
Co-Author, "A Word to the Wise Construction Lawyer: Read the Specifications," New York Law Journal, June 2006
Leadership Positions/Affiliations
Member, Lean Construction Institute | 