Jennifer McMillan Beyerlein
Shareholder
beyerleinj@lanepowell.com
206.223.7065
Areas of Practice
Jennifer McMillan Beyerlein concentrates her practice on construction litigation/professional
malpractice defense, and drafting and negotiating complex construction contracts on behalf of
design professionals, private and public owners, and contractors. She has a wide range of experience
that includes defending architecture and engineering firms in malpractice claims, and defending
municipalities and public owners on various public works projects. She has extensive experience
defending claims on public works, utility districts, schools and transportation projects, high-rise
residential claims, including ADA and FHAA, tunneling projects, and defending against differing
site condition and defective specification claims. She also assists in evaluating potential legal risks,
insurance considerations and contractual solutions surrounding green construction.
Professional Experience
Lane Powell PC, Summer Associate (2003)
Washtenaw County Public Defender, Legal Intern(2002)
Admitted to Practice
Washington
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Academics
University of Michigan Law School, cum laude (J.D., 2004)
Stanford University (B.A., 2001)
Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships
Co-chair, Lane Powell Hiring Committee
Construction
Electronic Discovery, Technology and Strategy
Environmental
Insurance
Litigation
Long Term Care and Seniors Housing Client Service Team
Real Estate Litigation
Sustainability and Climate Change
Title III ADA Public Accommodation
Sustainability Committee
Recruiting/Summer Associate Committee
Representative Matters and Clients
Successfully obtained complete dismissal on summary judgment of multimillion dollar negligence and negligent misrepresentation claims brought in federal court against a design consultant by a subcontractor on a public works utility project
Successfully defended and obtained summary judgment dismissal of multiple million dollar claims brought in Superior Court against a public sewer and utility district, and prevailed on the district’s multimillion dollar counterclaims for defective construction
Successfully defended and obtained summary judgment dismissal of a $10 million claim on behalf of a national, locally based architecture firm
Successfully defended and obtained summary judgment dismissal of defamation action brought in
federal court against an engineer and engineering firm relating to an expert opinion, including successfully arguing appeal in front of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Defended several municipalities, utility districts and other public entities against differing site condition and defective specification claims
Integral member of team defending premier Northwest architecture and engineering firms on $8 million malpractice claim
Successfully defended several Northwest architecture firms in multimillion dollar malpractice claims
Integral member of team defending a large manufacturing owner in a contract dispute over payment and defective workmanship in the construction of a new facility and corporate headquarters
Successfully defended local subcontractors and contractors in personal injury claims brought by
workers and other third parties
Defended numerous Washington law firms and attorneys in legal malpractice claims
Successfully defended property owners against invalid contractors’ liens
Assists in evaluating potential legal risks, insurance considerations, and contractual solutions
surrounding green construction
Drafts and negotiates contracts for architects, engineers, owners and contractors on complex, multimillion dollar construction projects, including high-rise and condominium projects
Publications
“Design Professional Liens Attached When Nothing Is Built: Answering the Devil’s Advocate,” Washington State Bar Association’s Construction Law newsletter, Co-author (Spring 2014)
“Court: Pre-Construction Work Not Subject to Lien,” Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (February 2, 2011)
Design-Build Deskbook, 4th ed., Washington State Chapter, American Bar Association, Co-author (2010)
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Speaking Engagements
“The Pending Conversion Conundrum — The Potential Liability Risks You Should Consider Today If the Apartment You Build is Converted Into Condominiums Tomorrow,” Lane Powell and Propel Insurance Construction and Insurance Seminar, Co-presenter (October 20, 2015)
“What to Do When Good Deals Go Bad (and How to Avoid It From Happening),” National Business Institute’s “Advanced Business Contracts: Strategically Draft & Negotiate Key Clauses” Seminar, Co-presenter (April 27, 2015)
“Limitations of Liability and Insurance: Strategically Negotiating Risk,” National Business Institute’s “Advanced Business Contracts: Strategically Draft & Negotiate Key Clauses” Seminar,
Co-presenter (April 27, 2015)
“Impact of the Anti-Indemnification Statute,” American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington’s Business Practice Breakfast, Co-presenter (November 5, 2014)
“How Long Am I on the Hook? The Duration of Liability Exposure for Contractors and Design Professionals,” Lane Powell Construction Law Seminar (October 1, 2014)
“Construction Projects: Developing Risks, Contracting Trend and Practice Pointers,” Professional Liability Agents Network Webinar, Co-presenter (March 26, 2014)
“Common Real Estate and Construction Legal Issues in Transportation Projects,” WTS Turn Your Wheels Luncheon, Co-presenter (January 29, 2013)
“Green Building in Puget Sound: Can Everything Old be Green?” Environmental and Sustainability Series, Seattle City Club Co-sponsored by AIA Seattle, Panelist (October 15, 2009)
“2009 Year in Review for the Built Environment — Looking Back to Plan Ahead”
(January 27, 2009)
“Its Not Easy Being LEED®: Challenges Facing Green Construction, Potential Pitfalls and
Contractional Solutions to LEED® Certification,” Lane Powell Seminar (October 23, 2007)
Awards and Honors
Named as a “Washington Rising Star,” Super Lawyers® magazine, Construction Litigation (2009-2012, 2014)
Pro Bono Public Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association (2006)
Professional and Community Activities
Council Member, Washington State Bar Association, Construction Law Section
LEED® Accredited Professional, U.S. Green Building Council
Member, King County Bar Association
Past President and Honorary Board Member, EarthShare Washington
Member, Women in Transportation
Pro Bono Legal Representative, Court Appointed Special Advocates
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