Presentation: Professional Ethics

This presentation will present history of development of the AIA Code of Ethics, ethical duties of Architects & ethical dilemmas. The intent of this session is to allow participants to understand human rights and avoiding misrepresentation in their professional endeavors.

Jay Stephens, Esq., Hon AIA | Senior Vice President and General Counsel, AIA

Jay A. Stephens has more than 30 years of legal experience, beginning as a judicial law clerk with the U.S. Court of Claims, progressing to private practice, and currently serving as Vice President and General Counsel of the AIA. Jay served as Deputy General Counsel for the American Gas Association from 1997 to 2000, and has been General Counsel of the AIA since September 2000. He became an Honorary Member of the AIA in 2013.

Jay was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar in 1981 and has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Federal, Sixth and Seventh Circuits, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Jay earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California (Santa Cruz) and his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the American Society of Association Executives, where he serves on the ASAE Legal Section Council.

Presentation: Law for Architects 101, Presentation and Break-Out Session: Contracts

Law for Architects 101 will seek to give the class a basic understanding of the legal duties and obligations surrounding the practice of architects. Stephan Andrews, a lawyer specializing in Construction law who began his career as a licensed Civil Engineer, will present and discuss some of the complex legal concepts including Standard of Care, Intellectual property, and dispute resolution.

This interactive Contracts presentation and Break Out session focuses on understanding the fundamentals of contracts and exploring the provisions to pay attention for. A break out session will allow participants to review and analyze sample provisions on their own, and discuss their findings.

Stephen F. (Hobie) Andrews, Esq., Hon. AIA | Partner at Vandeventer Black

Hobie is a partner with Vandeventer Black and concentrates his practice in the fields of Construction Law, Professional Liability, Regulatory Services and Intellectual Property. He represents accountants, architects, engineers, project owners, contractors, and liability carriers in a variety of construction, professional liability, insurance coverage, employment and contract disputes, as well as in other matters. Hobie’s practice is national in scope and includes mediation, arbitration and litigation in state and federal courts.

He obtained a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Military Institute, where he received the American Society of Testing and Materials Award for Academic Achievement, and a J.D. from the University of Richmond T.C. Williams School of Law.

Hobie practiced engineering for four years after earning his Civil Engineering degree. He is Chairman emeritus of the Board of Trustees for the Virginia Center for Architecture Foundation and was awarded an honorary membership in the Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects. Hobie has been recognized as one of Virginia’s “Legal Elite” among construction lawyers and among litigators by VIRGINIA BUSINESS magazine. He is listed in THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA in the field of Construction Law and Litigation – Construction, and has been recognized as a “Virginia Super Lawyer” by LAW & POLITICS magazine. Hobie serves on the Board of Governors of the Virginia State Bar Construction Law Section and is a frequent lecturer on liability issues unique to architects, engineers, contractors and accountants. He is AV® rated by Martindale Hubbell Law Directory, which is the highest quality and ethics rating possible for attorneys.

Roundtable: Professional Practice

The Roundtable will feature different professionals within the industry, and seeks to create a dialogue between the different parties. The perspective from the different professionals will allow for participants to understand a stakeholder’s interest within contractual language. Topics will include how various contract types affect a firm’s viability, identifying red flags in contract language & limitations of insurance coverage. Participants are also encouraged to ask questions to panelist about lessons learned.

Mike Heatwole | Executive Vice President & Partner, Ames & Gough

Mike Heatwole is an executive vice president and an equity partner of Ames & Gough. Mike focuses on serving the risk management and insurance needs of our larger design firms. Mike is particularly well-versed in contract and policy language issues and is often asked by our clients to lead internal risk management seminars. Mike is located in our Washington, D.C., office.

Mike joined Ames & Gough in 1995. Previously, he spent 12 years at Victor O. Schinnerer, eventually becoming assistant manager of the National Accounts Division of the Architects/ Engineers Program.

Mike holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and is a 1981 graduate of the University of Maryland.

Jeff Nees | Chief Financial Officer, WDG Architecture

As CFO for WDG Architecture since 2004, Mr. Nees heads up all treasury, financial reporting, tax planning and risk management facets for the firm. Prior to joining WDG, Mr. Nees served in various senior financial management positions in the Washington, DC area commercial real estate development and management arena for 16 years. Having experience with firms that fit the profile of WDG’s largest client base, private real estate developers, helps Mr. Nees understand WDG’s clients’ financial constraints, sources and objectives. Through his intimate knowledge of WDG’s financial goals and its respective marketplace, Mr. Nees reviews all professional services contracts and facilitates contract reviews with the Principals in charge and project managers, as well as outside legal counsel and insurance brokers. Mr. Nees obtained his B.A. degree in Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa in 1983 and passed the CPA examination later that year.