Shipman Bolsters Construction Practice and Expands Renewable Energy Offerings with Veteran Attorney Steven Lapp

Shipman & Goodwin LLP is pleased to announce that construction law attorney Steven Lapp has joined the firm as a partner in the construction and renewable energy practice groups.

“Steve has a wealth of experience that runs the spectrum of construction law,” said chair of Shipman’s Construction Practice Group, Robert O’Brien. “His diverse experience will certainly add to our practice, and we look forward to welcoming Steve to the Shipman team.”

With experience in all aspects of construction and renewable energy law, Steve represents construction owners, developers, general contractors, project managers, subcontractors, engineers, and sureties as well as a diverse group of clients across different industries, including a national-scale solar provider, and other renewable energy firms. Steve is a seasoned attorney with experience in design-bid-build, design-build, and traditional methods for both public and private projects. He will work on construction matters with a variety of Shipman's practice groups with a specific focus on Connecticut-based businesses and public and private educational institutions.

“Steve has a strong history of assisting clients with clean energy projects, transactions and regulatory affairs,” said Matthew Ranelli who leads Shipman’s Renewable Energy Practice. “He will be a valued addition to Shipman’s Renewable Energy Practice and our goal of providing solutions for clients’ energy needs.”

In addition to negotiating claims for extra work, disputed change orders, payment entitlement, and requests for equitable adjustment, Steve litigates delay and disruption claims, defective design issues, lien and bond claims, disputes under the federal Miller Act and state payment bond statutes and prosecutes public bid protests and payment bond claims relating to public and private projects. Steve drafts and negotiates contracts and assists clients with complex and intersecting regulatory landscapes. He advises clients on compliance matters, frequently providing counsel and guidance on the legal requirements involving the intersection of renewable energy, construction, contractor licensing, consumer protection law, property tax assessment, and technical matters regarding renewable energy incentive offerings. Steven handles complex construction matters in federal court, state court, mediation, and arbitration and is licensed to practice in Connecticut and New York.

“I am thrilled to join the talented attorneys in Shipman’s Construction and Renewable Energy practices,” said Steve.  “I welcome the opportunity to provide my experience and expertise in the construction law space in advancing the interests of Shipman’s clients across the full gamut of construction-related matters. I also look forward to continuing my work assisting our clients in navigating the constantly evolving legal and regulatory landscape which impacts renewable energy industry participants.”

Steve frequently writes about construction law topics in various publications and has been a long-time contributing author to the Connecticut chapters and annual chapter supplements for Wolters Kluwer’s Fifty State Construction Lien and Bond Law and Wolters Kluwer’s Fifty State Architect, Engineer, and Contractor Licensing legal treatises.