Slates Harwell LLP

Managing Partner: John Slates

Equity Partners: Gregory Harwell

Number of partners: 6

Number of lawyers: 11

Languages: English 

Firm Overview: 

After over 40 years of collective experience practicing construction law with one of the largest firms in Texas, John Slates and Greg Harwell formed Slates Harwell LLP to better serve their clients’ needs. The firm brings the pedigree of big-firm experience and expertise to the flexibility of a construction boutique platform. Since its inception in 2013, Slates Harwell has more than doubled in size, adding five respected construction lawyers to its team. Most lawyers are either transactional attorneys or litigators. Because of the firm’s construction industry focus, it is both. Slates Harwell works from project concept to completion assisting clients in contract negotiation, risk management, and dispute resolution including mediation, arbitration, and litigation. In this comprehensive role, the firm’s lawyers counsel their clients on the many facets of their business, and as a result, understand the priorities and risk tolerances that drive each client’s decisions. When disputes arise, the firm’s lawyers combine the insights developed through these unique client relationships with a proven track record of success in the courtroom and in arbitration.

Main Areas of Practice: 

-Construction Law

-Commercial Litigation

-Trademark & Copyright Law

Construction Law/Construction & Materials: 

6 Partners; 11 Fee Earners based in Dallas, TX

Slates Harwell is known for the breadth and sophistication of its expertise in the construction industry. A significant segment of the firm’s practice is devoted to representing large general contractors in the negotiation of upstream and downstream contracts and the management of suits, claims, and issues that arise from commercial and public construction and development projects. The firm’s work has covered a wide range of projects and geographic settings – from contractor extra work claims on DOE projects in New Mexico, to disputes arising from $500 million mixed-use projects on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; from delay and disruption claims in industrial/refinery settings, to construction defect allegations in commercial and multi-family projects. Some key clients in these areas include Adolfson & Peterson, Andres Construction, Austin Industries, Balfour Beatty Construction, The Beck Group, EMJ Corporation, Hill & Wilkinson, VCC, and Zachry Construction. Another area of recognized expertise is in the preparation of development and contract management plans and documents for large commercial / retail / residential developers. Developer clients including CIELO Real Estate Group, Fairfield Properties, JPI, KDC Development, and Streetlights Residential, have engaged the firm to assist with contracts for their designers, managers, contractors, and suppliers and to implement programs to manage their projects to successful completion.

Slates Harwell also provides a broad range of legal services to builders in the volume homebuilding industry. During the course of their careers, lawyers at Slates Harwell have represented 15 of the top 20 homebuilders – as well as their trade associations (National Association of Home Builders and Texas Association of Builders). The services provided to the volume builders include regulatory compliance guidance for development and marketing, contract management and procurement best practices programs, and copyright and trademark registration and protection. Current key clients include DR Horton Homes, Lennar Homes, M/I Homes, and Weekley Homes.

Key Clients: 

Adolfson & Peterson, Andres Construction, Austin Industries, Balfour Beatty Construction, The Beck Group, EMJ Corporation, KDC, Lennar Homes, Streetlights Residential, VCC, Zachry Construction

Contact: John Slates

Tel: (469) 317 1010

Email: [email protected]

Office: 

Slates Harwell LLP

1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 3800

Dallas, TX 75201