Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Message from the Chair: Joe Imperiale (Volume II)

When I last wrote, I had just stepped into the role of Division 1 Chair, and now, somehow, 2025 is already coming to a close. Chairing Division 1 has confirmed many things I already knew about the ABA Forum—and taught me a few new ones. Let me share seven lessons learned that recap 2025. 

1. The Division 1 Steering Committee is determined to leave Division 1 better than they found it.

As with anything great, it starts with the people. If Division 1 looks like a well-oiled machine from the outside, it’s only because of the talent and hard work of its Steering Committee. This group of talented construction lawyers from around the country are at the forefront of construction litigation and dispute resolution trends and share their experience with Division 1’s significant membership through their work on the Steering Committee. The Division 1 Steering Committee currently consists of the following lawyers:

The Steering Committee members help put together a remarkable amount of programming that is offered by Division 1, including:

  • The Dispute Resolver blog, providing weekly content on construction disputes, trends, and practical tips.
  • Toolbox Talks, our web-based, half-hour, lunchtime webinars throughout the year on topics relevant to construction industry dispute resolution.
  • Three-hour practicums at each national conference, giving construction litigators real-world, hands-on skills and lessons from experienced practitioners and industry experts.
  • National conference lunch programs on timely and practical topics.
  • Division 1 social events that keep our community connected, collaborating, and occasionally arguing about who has the best expert cross-examination war story.

Delivering this much high-quality content is no small task, and I thank them all for their service. 

2. The future is bright for Division 1.

Having a successful division takes more than just a Steering Committee
and necessitates that other members of Division 1 step up to get involved. The number of talented people whom I see raising their hands for the first time to participate in Division 1 is genuinely heartening. 

Among those who have stepped up to lead initiatives: 

  • Wendy and Sean addressing the Division 1 lunch in Louisville
    John Gazzola (John Gazzola | Troutman Pepper Locke) serves on the Toolbox Committee, organized our social in Louisville, and is organizing our practicum in Dana Point—proof that if you do a job well in Division 1, we reward you with…more jobs. 
  • Doug Mackin (Doug Mackin | Cozen O’Connor) serves as Division 1’s liaison to the Forum’s publications committee, plugging Division 1 members in writing opportunities.  

I am undoubtedly leaving people out, and there are more contributors mentioned below, but with this kind of energy and expertise in the ranks, Division 1 is in very good hands for years to come.

3. THE DISPUTE RESOLVER is the source for construction litigation and industry trends. 

If you’re not already reading The Dispute Resolver, this is your gentle nudge to start. It is, without question, a go-to source for:

  • Timely updates on construction litigation
  • Industry trends and practical insights
  • News on the business of Division 1 and the Forum

The blog runs like clockwork, regularly putting out high-quality content. Marissa Downs and Jessica Knox deserve enormous credit for this. They have taken a blog founded by Tony Lehman and Tom Dunn and, dare I say it, brought it to its pinnacle under their leadership. Thanks to Marissa and Jess’s upcoming editorial team (many of whom are returning veterans) for their great work and dedication to the upcoming blog year: Andrew Vicknair, Brendan J. Witry, Brett Burney, Dakota (Knehans) Atuan, Debrán L. O'Neil, Joel Bertet, Lisa D. Love, Patrick McKnight, Stuart Richeson, Troy Mainzer, Tyler Lloyd and Thanh Do.  

4. Division 1’s Toolbox Talks are your lunchtime source of construction litigation information.  

The number of people tuning in for our 30-minute, lunchtime quick-hitters is a testament to both the topics and the presenters. Whether it’s AI, procurement, or the latest twist in dispute resolution, our Toolbox Talks have become a great opportunity to get involved and learn something new. 

Brett Hensen and his committee have done an outstanding job curating programs that are:

  • Short enough to fit into a busy day
  • Substantive enough to be truly useful
  • Popular enough that people keep coming back for more

Thanks to Brett’s TBT Committee: John Gazzola, Thomas Cuneo (Thomas Cuneo | Ankura.com), Michael Martin (Michael Martin | VERTEX), Steve Warhoe (Stephen P. Warhoe | Long International) and Matt Argue (Matt Argue | One Mediator, Inc.) for their great work.  And I know that Dana Chaaban and Eric Meier will do a great job leading this effort moving forward. 

5. Practicums, celebrating their 10-year anniversary, continue to deliver.

Chris, Matt and Harper speaking at the Fall Practicum
My first practicum as Division 1 Chair featured Chris Dunn (Chris Dunn | Winstead PC), Matt Gillies (Matt Gillies) and Past Forum Chair Harper Heckman (Harper Heckman | Maynard Nexsen), who delivered a master class on “Negotiating the 10 Most Common Contract Provisions to Minimize Risks and Avoid Disputes” from the perspectives of the Owner, Contractor, and Designer. 

It was exactly what a practicum should be:

  • Practical
  • Lively
  • Rooted in real-world experience
  • And full of those “I’m going to steal that clause/argument/example” moments that make in-person programming so valuable 

If you haven’t attended a practicum yet, consider this your official invitation for Dana Point, California on February 4 Forum on Construction Law Events.

6. The ABA Forum on Construction Law is an unrivaled professional community.

If there is one thing this role has reinforced, it is that the Forum is a truly special professional community.

Where else can you:

  • Advance your career
  • Deepen your expertise
  • Meet people from across the country (and beyond) who do what you do
  • Learn in beautiful locations 

The Forum is full of smart, generous, and genuinely good people. When we needed someone to join Sean Dillion at our Louisville lunch program, past Chair of the ABA Forum, Wendy Venoit, stepped right in and said, “I’ve got it”, sharing pearls of wisdom from her extensive experience. It’s a place where competitors become collaborators, mentors become friends, and “networking” often looks suspiciously like having fun.

7. I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to lead Division 1.

A lot of work by a lot of people goes into running Division 1. From our Steering Committee, to our presenters and writers, to our volunteers and participants—this truly is a group effort.

Being Chair of Division 1 has been a privilege. It is a pleasure to help lead this group of construction professionals, advocates, problem-solvers, and all-around good people. I am enjoying every moment of it and am constantly impressed by the creativity, commitment, and generosity within our Division.

Happy Holidays and Cheers to the New Year

I wish you and your families a joyful, peaceful holiday season. Here’s to a wonderful holiday season and to an even brighter, busier, and better 2026 for Division 1 and the ABA Forum on Construction Law.

Author Joe Imperiale has dedicated his practice exclusively to the construction and manufacturing industries for 20 years. He represents owners, EPC contractors, construction managers, general contractors, and subcontractors in disputes on a wide array of construction projects, and can be contacted at Joseph.Imperiale@Troutman.com.

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