"Although properties are now managing to change hands, there remains apersistent need for legal remedies to a number of lingering issues," saidBrian Waagner, construction litigation attorney and shareholder at AkermanSenterfitt's Tysons Corner office. "As private developers and public ownersare rethinking spending priorities, in some cases putting projects on hold ordefaulting on their payment obligations, contractors are finding themselves insome precarious situations."

Looking to reinforce the value in understanding and anticipating legalalternatives amidst this turbulence, Akerman is hosting a two-hour seminar inLos Angeles entitled, Financial Crisis and the Construction Industry: AContractor's Survival Guide, which will discuss the complex issues facingcontractors in these uncertain times.

Mr. Waagner will join Akerman shareholders Stanley Salus, a bankruptcyattorney at the firm's Tysons Corner office, and Bridget Moss, a constructionattorney out of Los Angeles, in addressing:

-- Contractual remedies, including the demand for adequate assurances, theright of access to financial data, and the right to stop work or withholdpayment;

-- Alternative security for payment and performance, including personaland corporate guarantees, letters of credit, and payment and performancebonds;

-- Owner remedies, including payment withholding, suspension of work, andtermination for convenience;

-- California mechanic's liens;

-- Two new California laws affecting the allocation of risk between primecontractors and subcontractors;

-- Bankruptcy issues.

"Now more than ever, the construction industry needs sound legal counselas a preventative measure to help ensure no one falls behind during theworkout period," said Waagner. "With the financial crisis in full swing, theconstruction industry must shift its focus away from preparing for the worstand look to establish workout strategies that will bring unfinished projectsto fruition."

Separately, the firm noted that it will participate in the ConstructionSuperConference at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco later this week.

Akerman's national construction practice represents public and privateentities -- including owners, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, designprofessionals, condo and homeowners associations, and tenants -- and works inevery major sector of the international and domestic construction industry.With years of experience in construction and engineering, the attorneysprovide clients with strategic advice to the technical, business, and legalquestions that arise during the course of representation.

To register for Akerman's upcoming seminar in Los Angeles, please visitwww.akerman.com/events. For more information, call Amy Carson at 703.790.8750.

About Akerman Senterfitt

Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by TheNational Law Journal NLJ 250 (2008) in number of lawyers and is one of thelargest firms in Florida. With more than 500 lawyers and governmental affairsprofessionals, the firm serves clients in major business centers throughoutthe United States, including Miami, New York, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles.For additional information, please visit the firm's Web site atwww.akerman.com.

Contact: Bradley Wray RF|Binder Partners, Inc. (212) 994-7592 bradley.wray@rfbinder.com Pat Tucker RF|Binder Partners, Inc. (212) 994-7561 Patrick.Tucker@rfbinder.comSOURCE Akerman Senterfitt