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Construction Law Firm In Georgia | Cobb Law Group

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The Cobb Law Group is a full-service construction law firm serving construction and design professionals across the state of Georgia.

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Complex construction litigation can be very expensive and time-consuming; suing for retainage or final payment can also be expensive and postpone payments. Fortunately, several alternatives exist including arbitration and mediation, and our attorneys have the experience to represent any claim before a construction mediator or arbitrator. In fact, we regularly represent our clients, but two of our staff are also certified third-party neutrals which mean we can serve as the mediator or arbitrator for any construction or local government dispute.

Many contracts require construction arbitration or mediation, and when we draft contracts for our contractors or subcontractors, we typically include an arbitration or mediation provision as an alternative to litigation. Even if a contract does not specify that the parties must arbitrate or mediate their dispute, alternative dispute resolution can still be a very useful and efficient mechanism to resolve disputes and avoid costs and delays associated with traditional litigation. Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") gives our clients options in dispute resolution that maximize their own control and minimize the impact of an inevitable conflict. Cobb Law Group attorneys assist businesses and individuals in avoiding protracted litigation and its resulting costs and burdens.

Since the Cobb Law Group works hard to solve our clients' problems before they occur, we regularly counsel our clients on dispute reconciliation provisions in their contracts and subcontracts. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to the various methods of contracts disputes. Needless to say, each anticipated situation is unique. For those involved in the construction industry, the speed of the dispute resolution is often more important than the costs of the solution. Critical path delays, for example, can disrupt an on-going project subjecting the owner and developer, the general contractor, and the subcontractor to potential damages ranging from costs of completion, damages for delays, and liquidated damages. Thus, the sooner a solution can be reached, the sooner the project can get back on track and the damages mitigated.

As a part of a dispute resolution contract term, parties may want to consider an escalation from informal, good-faith problem-solving which then moves to immediate mediation, and, in the event that mediation was not fruitful, the situation is submitted to arbitration. During each of the steps, there are terms which should be decided by the partied in advance. For example, the American Arbitration Association has specific rules governing construction disputes; furthermore, there are specific rules for smaller claims (usually under $1 Million in dispute). Also, parties can establish time-tables and even agree to a specific third-party neutral in advance. Having thes decisions addressed in the prime contract or subcontract can save parties time in the event of a problem.

We firmly believe that the best resolution of a dispute is one that derives from the parties' own decisions, and we offer experience in all forms of alternative dispute resolution throughout Georgia including the following:
Mediation:
Through the mediation process, we assist the parties in arriving at mutually beneficial resolutions to their conflicts. Our mediation can be effective at any stage of litigation, from its initial stages to an appeal following trial. Construction mediation can foster trust and collaboration through strict confidentiality in a controlled environment. Typically, mediation is not binding; thus, when a resolution is reached, it is valuntarily agreed to between the parties. When voluntarily undertaken, mediation gives the authority back to the parties to quickly and can satisfactorily resolve disputes.

Mediation can be the least expensive method to resolve a dispute. Although an attorney must prepare for mediation, most of the evidence regarding the claim is introduced to the meditor very informally-often it is from direct testimony from our clients' or their project managers. The other parties involved are usually in a separate room and the mediator conducting the proceeding is able to keep confidential information from the other party.

Mediation is frequently scheduled within a few days or weeks of the parties agreeing to mediate their disputes; since the resolution is ultimate voluntary, the resolution is rendered quickly and allows construction projects to move forward or require payment to be made.
Ombudsman/Neutral:
Businesses and other institutions often find it helpful to retain individuals to investigate problems who are trained in conflict prevention and who can assist in the resolution of disputes before litigation arises. Acting as neutrals, our attorneys review situations for equity, fairness of process, and compliance with policy and procedure. We can then aid the business or institution by suggesting approaches to managing conflict, opening channels of communication between the institution and its employees, offering recommendations for policy changes, or acting as third-party neutrals in conflict resolution.

Construction attorney Mark Cobb and Paralegal and Georgia elected official James Eubanks are registered third-party neutrals for the State of Georgia, and they can be available to assist you in managing your dispute. As problem-solvers, they both are committed to achieving a fair, just, voluntary resolution to disputes. Mark has decades of experience representing construction professionals in all manner of disputes including mediation, arbitration, as well as litigation. James, as a sitting Mayor, brings a unique problem-solving technique to his hearings; with years of successful government service, he understands public works projects, bidding disputes, and disputes between municipalities.
Arbitration:
When greater intervention is desired, entities often turn to arbitration to resolve disputes short of litigation. Whether binding or non-binding, arbitration offers parties the opportunity to competitively present evidence to an independent decision-maker and obtain a prompt result.

Construction arbitration is similar to litigation; however, it typically occurs more quickly and easily. The rules governing how the arbitration proceeds impacts the length and the costs of the proceeding. Frequently, there are opening arguments and then the party who moved for arbitration proceeds with their attorney leading the proceeding with witnesses and documents; then, the other side has an opportunity to present its case for the arbitrator's consideration. Ultimately, the arbitrator renders a decision which, if binding arbitration may be enforced legally if necessary.

If you are seeking to avoid litigation in Georgia through alternative means, please contact the attorneys at the Cobb Law Group to review your ADR options and opportunities.

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Georgia Arbitration and Mediation Lawyers | Cobb Law Group

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The arbitration and mediation lawyers at the Cobb Law Group serve construction and design professionals across the state of Georgia.

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Georgia Construction Attorneys | Cobb Law Group

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For over 25 years, we have practiced exclusively in construciton law throughout Georgia; let us bring this expoerience to your projects

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For almost 25 years, Mark has been practicing construction law throughout the State of Georgia. He remains active in many professional organizations, he speaks and lectures extensively on Georgia's Mechanics and Materialmen's Law, payment bonds and construction contracting. In addition, he publishes on similar topics regularly. In fact, Mark is currently working on a 50 State Lien Law publication for the American Bar Association's Forum on the Construction Industry.

Born in Pensacola, Mark credits his personal success with the Christian values instilled by his parents. He was fortunate to learn from great teachers and mentors the value of a hard-day's work and honesty, and he always enjoyed school. In college, Mark majored in English literature, but he had a double-minor in political science and economics where he was a member of serval honor societies including the prestigious Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) as well as the English and the Political Science honor socities. While in college, Mark managed a 25-person staff of writers and editors for the weekly student newspaper. Under Mark's leadersihp, the newspaper earned the highest honor from the Georgia College Press Association, and Mark the importance of deadlines, business revenues, and integrity.

After college, Mark matriculated at the top-tier Washington and Lee University School of Law. Here, he excelled in his coursework, served as a faculty research assistant working on a Freedom on Information Act project. His classmates elected him to serve all three years on the 13-member Exceutive Committee which oversaw the honor code for the entire university. Here, Mark's concepts on honesty and integrity were tested and strengthened in the most remarkable ways.

In addition to his impressive education, Mark's jobs experience has continued to mold his talents. His earliest jobs-working as a runner for Boling, Rice & Bettis and his tenure at the Florida District Attorney's Office-taught him to be punctual and to always return telephone calls (now, emails and texts!) During the summers between law school, Mark held several jobs but remembers his time at Mosely, Taylor and Joyner in Jacksonville, Florida most fondly. Here, he worked on complex litigation matters involving maritime and contract law.

After law school, Mark moved to Atlanta to work for a small boutique law firm. Although he performed varying research and ligation task for the various partners, Mark quickly excelled in the area of Georgia construction law. In fact, his first client helped solidify his unique concentration in materialmen liens and payment bond law. This same client ask Mark to develop a procedure for sending Notices to Owners, preparing liens, and other tools useful for the construction industry.

After making partner at his firm, Mark opened his own firm. Until recently, clients learned about Mark exclusively through word-of-mouth. In 2007, Mark and his wife took a sabbatical to France. Upon his return, Mark enthusiastically approached the state-wide practice of construction law with new zeal and determination. He moved the filed into the clouds, improved, the communications network, opened a second office, hired additional attorneys, and began marketing his firm to all types of construction professionals.

Mark is married and has two beautiful children, and an English setter. He is active at All Saints Episcopal Church where he recently completed his term as a Verstyman. Mark is currently the chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Vashti Center which operates a $4M annual budget for the children with psychological and psychiatric issues; he is the treasure and immediate past-president of the local Washington and Lee Alumni Chapter, treasurer of the Southwest Georgia Technical College Foundation, and treasurer of the Thomasville Antique Show Foundation. In addition to his personal and professional interests, Mark enjoys tennis, wingshooting, and fly-fishing.

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Mark Cobb | Cobb Law Group | Georgia Construction Attorney

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With over 25 years of construction law experience, Mark Cobb is a leading Georgia construction law attorney in contracts, litigation, liens and bonds

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Is a Notice of Intent to Lien Required in Georgia? Notices of Intent to Lien documents can be confusing to subcontractors and material suppliers; particularly those who work in-or supply to-projects in multiple states. That's primarily because these Notices of Intent to File Liens are only required in certain states and most states only require [...]

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As construction litigation lawyers the Cobb Law Group, we represent numerous construction professionals throughout the State of Georgia with all of their construction law needs. We represent owners, developers, design professionals, general contractors, specialty subcontractors and material suppliers in all areas including construction contracting, construction litigation, mechanics and materialmen's lien claims, and payment bond claims and litigation. Please contact us to see if we can help you achieve your goals with your project.
Cobb Law Group
Atlanta Office

3355 Lenox Road, Suite 750
Atlanta,GA 30326
770-886-5890

South Georgia Office - Mailing Address

Post Office Box 1718
Thomasville, GA 31799
(229) 226-1344

Hours:
Monday: 8:30am - 6pm
Tuesday: 8:30am - 6pm
Wednesday: 8:30am - 6pm
Thursday: 8:30am - 6pm
Friday: 8:30am - 6pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

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The Cobb Law Group would be happy to hear from you. Use the form to contact us or give us a call today at 770-886-5890!