Our ability to do so derives from the decades of experience firm members have in the engineering and construction industry, and their representation of major domestic and international owners, engineers and constructors in the realization of projects totaling billions of dollars. We frequently serve as in-house counsel for clients that have not institutionalized this function. In this capacity, we fulfill all of the duties normally expected of a general counsel and in-house law department.
Specific Areas of Firm Expertise
Against a background of experience and commitment, Cruver, Robbins & Fu is particularly skilled in the following areas:
Contracts
We draw upon our extensive industry knowledge and experience to assist clients in developing and negotiating effective contracts that manage risk and enhance corporate sustainability. We also craft model contract documents, subcontracts, purchase orders and attendant forms required for an effective contract administration program. We are frequently engaged to present risk and contract management training courses to our clients.
International Business and Transactions
The firm is highly qualified to deal in the international marketplace and is actively involved in the international business community. As experienced international business lawyers, we appreciate the unique legal, tax, financial and operational issues attendant to working overseas. We develop country-specific risk management strategies to best meet a client’s needs.
The firm advises in connection with project financing inherent in multi-source project and export financing. The firm’s experience in this dimension of its project-related practice dates back more than thirty years to the early programs of COFACE, ECGD, Exim Bank, Hermes and the World Bank.
The firm has been advising its clients in the areas of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Export Administration Act (including anti-boycott) compliance since the passage of these acts. In that regard, we assist our clients in establishing and implementing compliance programs, and in the selection and retention of foreign agents.
Purchase and/or Sale of Businesses
We have been directly involved in a number of the engineering and construction industry’s most significant purchases and sales of engineering and construction businesses. We have sat on both sides of the table, and are sensitive to the issues unique to representing both buyers and sellers. The firm handles both entire transactions and due diligence investigations.
Project Claims and Dispute Resolution
The firm’s senior members have decades of experience across the entire contract claims spectrum, and we provide our clients with such services as (i) client-specific claims prevention training, (ii) development of contracts and contract administration systems (including all attendant forms), and (iii) claim preparation (or defense preparation) and related ADR or litigation.
The firm has been in the forefront of trends affecting dispute resolution in the engineering and construction industry, including negotiation of contracts for several of the first large “partnered” private sector projects.
The firm’s senior members are experts on such subjects as custom and practice in the engineering and construction industry, interpretation and application of industry-specific contracts and contract language, and the application of project delivery systems.
Business Formation
We work closely with our clients to identify the most efficient business entities for their contemplated businesses and, once identified, we are well versed in entity formation, registration and qualification to do business in the United States and abroad.
Technology and Process Licensing
The firm works with key licensees and licensors of chemical, petrochemical and refining process technologies and proprietary equipment, and is skilled in the negotiation of licensing agreements, confidentiality agreements and other documents relating to proprietary technologies.