Christi L. Underwood - Resume
Profession: Christi L. Underwood, PA, 2002 – present; Partner/Associate, Foley & Lardner, 1992-2002; Associate, Maguire, Voorhis & Wells, 1989-1992; Partner in commercial general contracting, subcontracting and building supply firms 1974-1988 (obtained Florida Certified General Contractor license, 1985).
Experience: Approximately 30 years in the construction industry: 14 years experience as a commercial construction company owner; construction and commercial attorney and arbitrator since 1989.
Representative construction clients include public and private owners, design professionals, contractors, sureties, subcontractors, and related businesses. Representative issues include delay claims, differing site conditions, construction lien law, surety law, design standards, pile driving criteria. Representative projects include airport, runway, roads, bridges, dewatering projects, parking garages, automated ground transportation, elevator construction, office buildings, hospitals, hotels, renovations, schools, courthouses, banks, and condominiums; values of projects from $5 million to more than $75 million on capital programs in excess of $1 billion.
Representative commercial and other clients include business and manufacturing entities in breach of contract, distribution, licensing, lease disputes, buy-sell agreements, fraud, civil theft, embezzlement; values of disputes from $250,000 to more than $100 million.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Experience: Appointed arbitrator in more than 75 arbitration cases (Panel Chair in more than 25 cases). Member of the American Arbitration Association (AAA)’s Commercial Panel since 1989; member of the AAA’s International and Complex Case Panels; selected for inclusion into the AAA’s Master Roster of Construction Arbitrators; member of the AAA’s National Construction Dispute Resolution Committee; member of the AAA’s Board of Directors. As client advocate: represented construction contractors, surety and international manufacturer in arbitration proceedings. As appointed arbitrator: presided over disputes involving front end engineering and design contract, EPC contract, infrastructure project, industrial facility, marine facility, school, offices, power plant, condominiums, bio laboratory, renovation projects.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Training: Chairing an Arbitration Panel , AAA, Dublin, Ireland (2005); International Arbitrator Symposium, Advanced Case Management Issues, AAA, Miami, Florida (2004); International Arbitration Conference, Miami, Florida (2004); AAA Construction Arbitrator II Training, Atlanta, Georgia (2002); AAA Construction Industry Arbitrator I Training, Orlando, Florida (1999); AAA Arbitrator Training, Orlando, Florida (1991); Certified Mediator Training for State of Florida Circuit Courts, Dispute Management, Inc.(2002); numerous alternative dispute resolution seminars.
Professional Speaking Engagements: Seminar speaker in Florida and various locations throughout the U.S. for organizations, clients and continuing education entities 1989 to present. Representative topics include:
“Achieving Efficiency with Fairness in Arbitration: How to Strike the Balance” panelist
ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Spring Conference, Washington DC, 2007
“Guidelines for Arbitrator Decisions in Discovery, Evidence and Postponement Issues”
Fifth Annual International Litigation and Arbitration Conference
Florida Bar, Coral Gables, Florida, 2007
“Ethical Issues in Construction Representation”
Practising Law Institute, New York City, 2007
“Practice Tips to Make Arbitration Faster, Less Expensive and Subject to Appeal”
Florida Bar, Construction Committee, 2006
“Practice Tips for Analyzing Risks in Construction Contracts”
Lorman Institute, Daytona Beach, Florida, 2006
“False Claims Acts”
Practising Law Institute, New York City, 2006
“Post Completion Issues for Contractors”
Practising Law Institute, New York City, 2005
“The Unauthorized Practice of Law and Recent Cases Impacting Arbitration,” AAA, Orlando (2005)
“The Legal Implications of Construction Scheduling,” Lorman Institute, Orlando (2004);
“Drafting Arbitration Clauses for International Construction Contracts,” National Construction Forum (2004);
“Pre-qualification, The False Claims Act, ADR and Alternatives to Court,” The Lorman Institute (2002);
“Construction Contract Law, Dispute Avoidance, and the Changes Clause,” Associated General Contractors (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002);
“Basic Contract Law: Construction Contracts and Dispute Avoidance,” AGC (2000);
“Construction Contracts: The Changes Clause, Differing Site Conditions, Theories of Recovery,” National Utility Contractors Association (1998);
“Construction Law for Contractors & Engineers,” Florida Engineers in Construction (1996)
Publications: Co-author, Rights and Liabilities of Construction Managers, Florida Construction Law and Practice Manual, Fourth Edition, published by the Florida Bar. Author, article on embezzlement in the construction industry, published by the Associated General Contractors of America; permission granted to republish in several states.
Professional Licenses: Admitted to the Bar: Florida (1989); District of Columbia (1991); New York (2004); U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (1990); U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit (1993); U. S. Supreme Court (2006); Certified General Contractor, State of Florida (1985, currently inactive).
Professional Associations: American Bar Association (Forum on the Construction Industry); District of Columbia Bar; the Florida Bar; New York State Bar; Orange County Bar; American Association of Airport Executives; Florida Academy of Professional Mediators; American College of Construction Lawyers; College of Commercial Arbitrators; Director, American Arbitration Association.
Education: University of Florida (B.S. - 1985; J.D. - 1988)
Miscellaneous: “AV” rated attorney by Martindale Hubbell; included in The Best Lawyers in America, 2005-2010 Editions, Alternative Dispute Resolution section; Super Lawyers of Florida, 2006 through 2010 Editions.
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