William K. “Bill” Andrews

William K. “Bill” Andrews

Shareholder

AAA Arbitrator Construction Attorney in Houston - William K. “Bill” Andrews

For 40 years, Bill Andrews, a leading construction attorney in Houston, has practiced construction law , focusing on construction-related claims, lawsuits, mediations and arbitrations . He has represented owners, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, suppliers and engineering firms on a wide variety of construction-related projects.

His experience in claims, trials, arbitrations and mediations includes projects such as highways and bridges, public works projects, commercial and retail construction, industrial and warehouse facilities, hospitals and health care facilities, power plants (including simple cycle and cogeneration plants), pipelines, petrochemical plants, refineries, chemical plants, gas processing plants, cryogenic plants, schools, multi-family housing and environmental remediation projects. He has represented several EPC firms in disputes and claims involving large plants. He also has significant experience representing owners, contractors and engineering firms in claims and disputes involving upstream, midstream and downstream facilities.

Bill has tried to verdict and arbitrated to award more than 75 construction cases. Since 1988, he has been a member of the American Arbitration Association’s National Panel of Construction Arbitrators and has served as a construction mediator since 1998. He is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s Large Complex Construction Case Panel of Arbitrators and was recently approved by the AAA’s National Construction Dispute Resolution Committee as a member of its Construction Arbitration Master Panel.

Bill has received a top ranking among construction lawyers and construction alternative dispute resolution attorneys in Texas by the prestigious legal directory, Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, since 2004.

Best Lawyers Award BadgeBest Lawyers Award Badge William K. Andrews Chambers Top Ranked USA 2023William Andrews Best Lawyers Construction Lawyer of the Year

Super Lawyers William K. Andrews Selected in 2022 Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers Top 100 Houston Super Lawyers Top 100 TexasSuper Lawyers William K. Andrews 15 Years

 

Areas of Practice

  • Complex Construction and Engineering Claims
  • Litigation
  • Arbitration and Mediation
  • Energy

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Texas
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit

Representative Experience

Bill has tried to verdict and arbitrated to award more than 75 construction cases. The following are representative cases:

  • Represented EPC Contractor in arbitration arising out of design disruption and extra work claims involving an industrial water treatment facility located at a mine facility.
  • Represented owner in arbitration arising out of construction of multi-hundred million dollar industrial gas facility, involving claims of cost overruns, delay, disruption, acceleration, loss of efficiency and loss of productivity. Final evidentiary hearing spanned 19 days, conducted before panel of 3 AAA complex construction case arbitrators and was tried to award.
  • Represented religious institution in lawsuit against contractor related to repairs to campuses damaged by Hurricane Ike.
  • Led prosecution of EPC subcontractor delay and breach of warranty claims in arbitration against construction contractor arising out of gas processing project and defense against contractor counterclaims of loss of efficiency/productivity and disruption.
  • Represented developer and owner of wind power generation project regarding equipment supply, operation and maintenance issues.
  • Led defense of building contractor-project manager against governmental owner asserting breach of contract and negligence claims in multi-party, complex litigation arising out of convention center project.
  • Led prosecution of loss of efficiency/productivity and disruption and delay claims of EPC contractor in arbitration against refinery owner, settling case favorably to contractor-client shortly after formal commencement of proceedings.
  • Defended and obtained settlement for general contractor in litigation against owner, its lending consortium and builders risk carrier involving the alleged differential settlement of 31-story beach condominium and lost investment claim of $125 million.
  • Represented EPC Contractor in 5-week arbitration of disputes arising out of the design and construction of a degassing plant.
  • Represented pipeline owner in the arbitration of claims arising out of the construction of a gas pipeline.
  • Represented EPC contractor in the trial of claims and counterclaims pertaining to the design and construction of a cryogenic plant and fractionation plant.
  • Represented contractor in arbitration of payment and delay claims related to a commercial building project.
  • Represented fabricator in the arbitration of disputes arising out of the fabrication of multiple modules for a floating production storage offloading vessel.
  • Represented contractor in the arbitration of disputes arising out of the construction of modules for an offshore oil and gas platform.
  • Represented contractor in the arbitration of payment, delay and workmanship claims arising out of a commercial building project.
  • Represented contractor in the arbitration of termination costs arising out of a Strategic Petroleum Reserve project.
  • Represented owner in the trial of contract claims arising out of a major public works contract.
  • Represented contractor in the trial of contract and tort claims (including defense of counterclaim) against the owner of a refinery.
  • Represented subcontractor in the trial of wrongful termination claims against a general contractor for the construction of a laboratory building.
  • Represented contractor in the trial of claims against an engineer arising out of a petrochemical plant project.
  • Represented contractor in the arbitration of contract claims against the owner of a petrochemical plant.
  • Represented subcontractor in the arbitration of disruption claims against an EPC contractor of an HDPE plant.
  • Represented contractor in the arbitration of delay, disruption and extra work claims against the EPC contractor of a power plant (cogeneration plant).
  • Represented contractor in the arbitration of lost profit claims against an EPC contractor of a power plant (cogeneration plant).

Education

  • University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas
    • J.D. (cum laude) – 1978
    • Order of the Barons
  • The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
    • B.A. – 1974

Professional Recognition

  • Fellow, American College of Construction Lawyers
  • Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Arbitration, Litigation-Construction and Construction Law, since 2006
  • Houston’s Top Lawyers – Arbitration & Mediation, Houstonia Magazine, 2022
  • “Texas Super Lawyers,” as presented by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters Business, in Texas Monthly, Construction Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Since 2004
  • Top 100 Houston Area Super Lawyers, Texas Super Lawyers® by Thomson Reuters, Since 2007
  • Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Since 2004
  • The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers (Construction), by Law Research Business Ltd., Since 2005
  • AV© Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating (5.0 out of 5), Martindale-Hubbell
  • Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers, Texas Super Lawyers® by Thomson Reuters, 2008, 2014, 2022
  • “America’s Top 30 Construction Lawyers,” The Best of the Best, USA by Legal Media Group’s Expert Guides, 2012
  • Best Lawyers® 2012 Construction-Litigation “Lawyer of the Year” in Houston
  • Best Lawyers® 2019 & 2024 Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Houston

Teaching Experience

  • Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Houston College of Law, Basic Construction Law, Spring 2011

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Arbitration Association, Arbitrator
  • State Bar of Texas, Construction Law Section Member (Federal Judiciary Appointments Committee, 1984-1986;
  • Governing Council, 1990-1992; Treasurer, 2009-2010; Secretary, 2010-2011; Vice-Chair, 2011-2012 and Chair, 2012-2013
  • Houston Bar Association, Construction Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution Member (Member, Governing Council, Construction Law Section, 1989-1990)
  • American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry
  • Associated Builders and Contractors
  • The Associated General Contractors of America

Published Works

 

  • Mediation Can and Should Continue,” AM Law Alert, March 2020
  • Resilience, Rebounding and Rebuilding,” AM Regarding Hurricane Harvey, August 30, 2017
  • “The Best Defense is a Good Offence: Keys to Claims Prevention and Mitigation,” 2017 American Arbitration Association Conference, June 2017
  • “Overview of the Construction Industry and Glossary of Construction Terms,” The Basic Course in Texas Construction Law, State Bar of Texas, Construction Law Section, November 2013, November 2014
  • “Advanced Mediation Training,” Houston Bar Association, Arbitration Section Seminar at University of Houston Law Center, (Panelist), April 2012
  • “Strategic Growth of a Construction law Practice,” State Bar of Texas Construction Law Conference, San Antonio,TX, (Panelist), March 2012
  • “Creative Use of FRCP 30(b)(6) in Construction Litigation,” American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry, Midwinter Meeting, (Panelist), February 2012
  • “Breaking Logjams in Mediations,” Houston Bar Association Construction Law Section, (Panelist), January 2012
  • “Texas Anti-Indemnity Bill (HB 2093),” Client Education Series, (Co-Presenter), January 2012
  • “Texas Anti-Indemnity Bill (HB 2093),” Client Education Series, (Co-Presenter with Lee Shidlofsky), October 2011
  • “Advanced Mediation Training; Mediating Construction Disputes,” A.A. White Dispute Resolution Center,
    University of Houston Law Center, (Panelist) April 2011
  • “The Ethics Behind ‘Better, Faster, Cheaper’ in ADR,” American Arbitration Association, March 2011
  • “Anatomy of a Complex Construction Arbitration,” Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 24th
    Annual Construction Law Conference, (Panelist) March 2011
  • “Legal and Practical Considerations for Arbitration Participants,” Construction Law Section, Houston Bar Association, January 2011
  • “Chairing an Arbitration Panel,” American Arbitration Association, December 2010

Speeches and Presentations

  • “AAA Construction Rule Changes Effective March 1, 2024,” AM Monthly Law Alert, March 2024
  • “The Best Defense is a Good Offense: Keys to Claims Prevention and Mitigation,” Recorded Webinar, American Arbitrators Association, July 2020
  • “COVID-19: The Project Plague – Legal Checklist for Risks, Problems and Concerns,” Construction Law Webinar, April 2020
  • “Arbitration Subpoenas: Are They Worth the Paper They’re Printed On,” Recorded Webinar, American Arbitration Association
  • “Strategies and Tactics in Selecting Arbitrators,” State Bar of Texas International Law Section Annual Institute, February 2017
  • “Damages in Construction Cases,” Business Valuation, Forensic & Litigation Services Conference, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, October 2016
  • “Mediation of Construction Disputes,” A.A. White Dispute Resolution Center, University of Houston Law Center, April 2016
  • “Pros and Cons of Construction Arbitration – What Every Construction Arbitrator and Advocate Should Know,” College of Commercial Arbitrators/American Arbitration Association, March 2016
  • “Arbitrator Subpoenas: Are They Worth the Paper They’re Printed On?” American Arbitration Association Webinar, March 2016 and December 2015
  • “Has Arbitration Fulfilled Its Promise? Both Sides of the Debate,” The Construction ADR Summit, Forum on the Construction Industry, American Bar Association, October 2015
  • “From Local to International: Taking Your Practice Global,” State Bar of Texas International Law Section, May 2015
  • “Overview of the Construction Industry and Glossary of Construction Terms,” The Basic Course in Texas Construction Law, State Bar of Texas, Construction Law Section, November 2013, November 2014
  • “Advanced Mediation Training,” Houston Bar Association, Arbitration Section Seminar at University of Houston Law Center, (Panelist), April 2012
  • “Strategic Growth of a Construction Law Practice,” State Bar of Texas Construction Law Conference, San Antonio, TX, (Panelist), March 2012
  • “Creative Use of FRCP 30(b)(6) in Construction Litigation,” American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry, Midwinter Meeting, (Panelist), February 2012
  • “Breaking Logjams in Mediations,” Houston Bar Association Construction Law Section, (Panelist), January 2012
  • “Texas Anti-Indemnity Bill (HB 2093),” Client Education Series, (Co-Presenter), January 2012
  • “Texas Anti-Indemnity Bill (HB 2093),” Client Education Series, (Co-Presenter with Lee Shidlofsky), October 2011
  • “Advanced Mediation Training; Mediating Construction Disputes,” A.A. White Dispute Resolution Center, University of Houston Law Center, (Panelist) April 2011
  • “The Ethics Behind ‘Better, Faster, Cheaper’ in ADR,” American Arbitration Association, March 2011
  • “Anatomy of a Complex Construction Arbitration,” Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 24th Annual Construction Law Conference, (Panelist) March 2011
  • “Legal and Practical Considerations for Arbitration Participants,” Construction Law Section, Houston Bar Association, January 2011
  • “Chairing an Arbitration Panel,” American Arbitration Association, December 2010
  • “ADR: Mediation and Arbitration Options and Strategies for Construction Disputes,” UT Construction law, The University of Texas School of Law, January 2009
  • “Construction Arbitration – Traps for the Unwary,” Advising Construction Clients Institute 2007, Houston Bar Association, October 2007
  • “The New Frontier: Electronic Discovery in Construction Cases,” 20th Annual Construction Law Conference, Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, March 2007
  • “Non-Traditional Uses of the Constitutional Lien,” Construction Law Section, Houston Bar Association, January 2007
  • “Chairing an Arbitration Panel,” American Arbitration Association, (Facilitator), August and December 2005
  • “Legal Issues Facing the Construction Professional in Texas: The Most Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them,” Lorman Education Series, March 2005
  • “Dispute Resolution Clauses,” Construction Law Conference, The University of Texas School of Law, Office of Continuing Legal Education, 2004
  • “When a Lien Won’t Work,” 16th Annual Construction Law Conference, Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2003
  • “Ethical Conundrums in Construction Cases: A Panel Discussion,” Construction Law Section, Houston Bar Association, November 2002
  • “Construction Lien Law in Texas,” Lorman Institute, July 2002
  • “Construction Claims in Texas,” Lorman Institute, April 2002
  • “Construction Claims in Texas,” Lorman Institute, April 2001
  • “Construction Lien Law in Texas,” Lorman Institute, November 2000
  • “Texas Construction Defect Claims,” Lorman Education Series, June 2000
  • “What Works and What Does Not Work in Arbitrations,” American Corporate Counsel Association, San Antonio Chapter, May 2000
  • “What Works and What Does Not Work in Construction Arbitrations,” 13th Annual Construction Law Conference, Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, February 2000
  • “Construction Claims in Texas,” Lorman Institute, April 2000
  • “Construction Payment Remedies in Texas,” National Business Institute, October 1999
  • “Construction Lien Law in Texas,” Lorman Education Series, October 1999
  • “What Works and What Does Not Work in Construction Arbitration?,” Construction Law Section, San Antonio Bar Association, August 1999
  • “Texas Construction Defect Claims,” Lorman Education Series, June 1999
  • “What Works and What Does Not Work in Construction Arbitration?” Construction Law Section of the Houston Bar Association, April 1999
  • “The Perils and Pitfalls of Selling a Deal That Goes Bad a/k/a Professional Liability and How to Avoid It,” Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), May 1998
  • “Texas Construction Law: What Do You Do When?” National Business Institute, 1998
  • “Arbitration of Commercial Construction and Personal Injury Cases,” Houston Bar Association, Alternate Dispute Section, September 1996
  • “Effective Use of Trial Consultants,” Houston Claims Association, 1996
  • “Arbitration: The Advocate’s Viewpoint,” Houston Bar Association Commercial and Consumer Section, 1996
  • “Preparation For and Enforcement of Favorable Arbitration Awards,” American Arbitration Association, 1994
  • “Risk Management Through Insurance Provisions in Construction Contracts,” Golden Triangle Business Roundtable, 1994
  • “Risk Management through Insurance Provisions in Construction Contracts, Related Professional Services Agreement, and Commercial Leases,” Houston Bar Association Real Estate Law Section, 1993
  • “The Use of Arbitration to Eliminate Litigation,” Real Estate Developer’s Counsel, 1993
  • “Legal Aspects of Technical Specifications,” The Construction Specifications Institute (Houston Chapter), 1992
  • “Construction Arbitration Procedure and Strategy from a Practical Viewpoint,” Construction Advocacy Workshop, American Arbitration Association, 1991
  • “Construction Arbitration Procedure and Strategy from a Practical Viewpoint,” Arbitration Training for Advocates or Participants, American Arbitration Association, 1991
  • “Bad Faith – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (How to Keep Clint Eastwood Out of Your Claim Files),” Annual Claims Conference, Indiana Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company, 1991
  • Frequent “Arbitration Training Requisite Course–Emphasis on Construction” (Mock Arbitration), American Arbitration Association, 1991 to Present
  • “Basic Legal Principles and Precedents,” Associated General Contractors of America, Executive Development Program, 1990
  • “Construction Documentation–The Myths and the Realities,” Baker Concrete Construction, 1990
  • “Construction Discovery Possibilities,” University of Texas at Austin School of Law Third Annual Construction Law Conference, 1990
  • “Resolving Disputes and Claims,” Houston Chapter/Associated General Contractors of America, Executive Development Program, 1989
  • “Basic Legal Principles and Precedents,” Houston Chapter/Associated General Contractors of America Executive Development Program, 1989
  • “Construction Arbitration: Procedure and Strategy from a Practical Viewpoint,” Construction Law Section of the Houston Bar Association, 1989
  • “Alternative Dispute Resolution,” National Association of Accountants, 1989
  • “Basic Legal Principles and Precedents,” Houston Chapter/Associated General Contractors of America Executive Development Program, 1988
  • “Construction Joint Ventures,” Construction Financial Management Association, 1987
  • “Alternatives to Traditional Contract Bonds: The Use of Letters of Credit (Are They Really Alternatives?),” The Surety Association of Houston, 1987
  • “Mechanics’ and Materialmen’s Liens,” Associated General Contractors—Texas Building Branch Fall Administrative Conference, 1986
  • “Current State of Arbitration Under Texas Law,” American Arbitration Association, 1986
  • “Current State of Arbitration Under Texas Law,” American Arbitration Association, 1986
  • “Construction Delays–Time is Money,” Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas, State Convention, 1986