Clifford Shapiro

Jenner & Block – Chicago – 1982-1984 (associate)

Sachnoff & Weaver, Ltd. –  Chicago – 1984-2007 (Partner and Chairperson Construction Law Practice Group) (merged with Reed Smith 2007)

Barnes & Thornburg, LLP – Chicago – 2007-present (Partner and Chairperson Construction Law Practice Group)

Clifford J. Shapiro is a partner in the Chicago office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP and Chairperson of the Construction Law Practice Group which consists of attorneys in the firm’s thirteen offices.  He is ranked as a “Band One” construction attorney by Chambers USA, and was elected as an inaugural member of the American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel (ACCEC).  He is also listed as a top construction lawyer by Best Lawyers In America, Illinois Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers.

Mr. Shapiro handles matters in mediation, arbitration and litigation on behalf of public entities, owners and contractors.  His practice has involved virtually every kind of claim or dispute related to a construction project, including construction defect claims, architect and engineering professional liability claims, claims for delay and disruption and business disputes that arise between construction project partners.  Specific matters include representation of a large oil company in connection with various claims arising out of a multi-billion refinery modernization project, a large municipality in connection with claims arising out of a multi-billion dollar runway expansion project, a prime subcontractor in an arbitration matter involving a 17 story hospital building where the owner alleges damages in excess of $100 million, and various other matters involving developers, owners and contractors in connection with construction related claims.

Mr. Shapiro also represents construction industry clients in their capacity as policyholders seeking insurance coverage.  He negotiates and, when necessary, litigates insurance coverage claims on behalf of construction industry and other policyholder clients.  Mr. Shapiro’s published articles regarding insurance coverage for construction defect claims are recognized nationally, and have been cited and quoted in several state supreme court decisions including Sheehan Construction Company, Inc. v. Continental Insurance Company, 935 N.E.2d 160 (Ind. Sup. Ct. 2010) and Westfield Ins. Co. v. Custom Agri Sys., Inc., 2012 Ohio Lexis 2485 (Ohio Sup. Ct. 2012).  Mr. Shapiro is an active member of the ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee, and he writes and speaks regularly about construction and related insurance issues.

Mr. Shapiro received his B.A. magna cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis and his J.D. with High Honors from George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C, where he was a member of the Law Review and awarded Order of the Coif.

Professional Affiliations

ABA Forum Committee on the Construction Industry,CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution,Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys

SELECTED CASES THAT CITE AND/OR QUOTE CJS ARTICLES

K&L Homes, Inc. v. American Family Mutual Ins. Co., 2013 WL 1364704 (N. Dakota Sup. Ct. 2013 (majority decision; prior law overruled)

Westfield Ins. Co. v. Custom Agri. Sys., Inc., 979 N.E.2d 269 (Ohio Sup. Ct. 2012) (dissenting opinion)

Greystone Construction, Inc. v. National Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 661 F.3d 1272 (10^th Cir. 2011) (applying Colorado law)

Sheehan Construction Company, Inc. v. Continental Insurance Company, 935 N.E.2d 160 (Ind. Sup. Ct. 2010) (majority decision; prior law overruled)

United States Fire Ins. Co. v. J.S.U.B., 979 So. 2d 871, 886 n.9 (Fla. 2007)

Lee Builders, Inc. v. Farm Bureau Mutual Ins. Co., 137 P.2d 486, 491-494 (Kan. Sup. Ct. 2006)

Lennar Corp. v. Great American Ins. Co., 200 S.W.3d 651, 672-673 (Tex. App. 2006)

General Security Indemnity Co. of Arizona v. Mountain States Mutual Cas. Co., 205 P.3d 529 (Colo. App. 2009)

SELECTED SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS

Illinois State and Federal Courts

Trial Bar N.D. IL