Maynerd Steinberg has over 30 years of experience, concentrating in construction law, insurance law, and professional liability. Prior to becoming an attorney, he practiced as an architect and remains a registered architect in the State of Illinois. Now, focusing on construction and damage to real property, he represents architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and insurers, who provide first party property, third party liability and professional liability coverage, on a full range of legal matters.
Construction
Mr. Steinberg has represented construction-industry clients on matters including professional liability, construction contracts, mechanics’ liens, and bond and surety claims, as well as insurance requirements and coverage issues. His building experience includes fossil, hydro and nuclear power plants; stadiums; airport facilities and hangars; wastewater treatment facilities; ethanol / refinery / process plants, foundries; and a broad range of commercial, industrial and residential structures.
The scope of Mr. Steinberg’s legal services spans the entire construction process and can extend to a time period long after construction. Before construction begins, he negotiates contract terms and conditions with special emphasis on insurance requirements and risk-shifting provisions. During construction, as the need arises, he advises on mechanic’s liens, bond and surety claims, and construction disputes. After construction, if problems develop or additional claims are made, he will litigate the issue.
Insurance
Mr. Steinberg’s insurance industry practice concentrates on Commercial Lines coverages, First Party Property and Third Party Liability insurance. The scope of Mr. Steinberg’s First Party Property Insurance practice encompasses the analysis of coverage and the litigation of All Risk Property, DIC, Boiler & Machinery, and Builder’s Risk policies at the primary and excess levels for claims that include property damage, business interruption, extra expense, as well as contingent and miscellaneous coverages.
Mr. Steinberg’s Third Party Liability insurance practice has an emphasis in the construction industry and includes Professional Liability E&O coverage for design professionals; payment and performance bonds; wrap-up insurance programs (OCIP and CCIP); and CGL coverage. Mr. Steinberg has drafted policy wordings, provided coverage opinions, and audited claims handling procedures. He also provides insurance coverage counseling and litigates policy terms and conditions.
Education
- J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 1979
- M.S., Architecture and Urban Design, Columbia University, 1975
- B.Arch., with honors and distinction, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1974
Bar Admissions
Admitted To Practice
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1979
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1991
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 1996
Representative Experience
Representative examples of Mr. Steinberg’s clients include:
Construction
- Obtained the dismissal of an architectural firm by convincing the Illinois Supreme Court to extend the principle of economic loss to design professionals.
- Defended Design Professionals in “sick building” claims.
- Architects and Engineers whose designs were suspect in catastrophic failures and performance-related problems.
- Architects/Engineers of parking structures in connection with disputes over performance specifications and delay claims.
- Design/Builder of a candy manufacturing facility and a related cogeneration facility in connection with the contracts and disputes over increased costs, completion dates, and delay / liquidated damages.
- Mechanical Engineering firms in disputes over the design of HVAC and mechanical systems.
- Manufacturer of a wheel excavator in a dispute with a coal company over performance.
- Owners of institutional and commercial structures who suffered losses and damages attributable to design and construction issues.
- Ethanol Plant Owner in a dispute with an EPC contractor over achievement of performance standards and increased costs.
- General Contractors in disputes with Owners and Developers involving performance and payment issues.
- Drywall subcontractor in disputes over payment and performance issues.
- Roofing subcontractor in disputes over payment and performance issues.
- Drafting of construction-related contracts for Owners, Developers, General Contractors, Subcontractors and Design Professionals (Architects, Engineers and Consultants).
Insurance
- Coverage analysis for All Risk Property, Difference-in-Condition, Excess Property, Builder’s Risk, Boiler & Machinery, Jewelers Block, Architects and Engineers Professional Liability, Commercial General Liability, Title Abstractors and Examiners E&O, Real Estate Agents E&O, Insurance Agents E&O, Insurance Company E&O, Attorney E&O, and Surety and Performance Bonds.
- Represented First Party Property Insurer in dispute with Boiler & Machinery carrier over applicable coverage in $21 million loss.
- Represented Primary and Excess Architect and Engineer Professional Liability Insurer in a $50 million coverage and liability dispute arising out of the design of a nuclear power plant.
- Represented the Primary and Excess Architect and Engineer Professional Liability Insurer in claims against insured professionals arising out of the design of sewage treatment plants.
- Represented the Architect and Professional Liability Insurers of design professionals involved in the catastrophic collapses of the roofs of the Kemper Arena in Kansas City and Rosemont Horizon in Illinois.
- Represented First Party Property Insurers in coverage disputes arising out of floods, earthquakes, hail storms, explosions and fires for losses that have included claims in excess of $100 million.
- Insurance companies in disputes over claims handling practices including allegations of bad faith and deceptive practices.
- Audits of insurance company claims files for claims handling and reserving practices.
- Drafting of policy wording for professional liability policies and first party property, manuscript policies.
Publications & Presentations
Professional History
- Of Counsel, Locke Lord LLP
- Licensed Architect Illinois (1979)
Professional Affiliations & Achievements
- Recognized, Illinois Super Lawyers (2008-2013)
- Member, Chicago Bar Association
- Member, Illinois State Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Air Conditioning Contractors Association
- Member, Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
- Member, Construction Specification Institute
- Member, Defense Research Institute
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