Construction Law

We help contractors get paid, protect their license, and protect their business.

We help contractors get paid, protect their
license, and protect their business.

Construction Law

Phoenix Construction Lawyers

You are in a tough business. Contractors and construction suppliers need experienced, responsive Phoenix construction attorneys who understand Arizona's construction industry, its unique legal and business traits, and the specific issues for major construction trades.

Construction and ROC Licensing Attorneys

Mediation of Construction Disputes

Rick Friedlander

Rick Friedlander is a mediator and arbitrator with matter-specific litigation experience in construction and related disputes. He is a five-time Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” (Phoenix) in three practice categories, including Alternative Dispute Resolution - Construction. A multi-year Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers honoree, Rick has been selected for the American Arbitration Association’s construction, commercial, mediation, joint venture and master mediator construction panels, and he is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.

News for Contractors

United States flag in front of court house.

ROC cases and the “trial de novo” statute: After three years, uncertainty endures

By Jamie Hanson • September 17, 2024
Inconsistency among Arizona’s trial courts in how the 2021 statutory revisions are to be applied make legal strategies difficult for contractors to employ statewide.
Arizona Registrar of Contractors Hearings

New advantage for contractors in ROC hearings: the power to accept the licensing decision

By Jamie Hanson • May 1, 2024
Under a recent Arizona law, a contractor can lock in a favorable hearing decision before the ROC can modify or reject it.
Rick Friedlander

Friedlander receives construction law “lion” honor

By Lang Thal King & Hanson • April 26, 2024
Rick Friedlander has been named a "Lion of the Arizona Construction Bar" by the Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Arizona.
Jason Clark

Jason Clark elected as a partner

By Lang Thal King & Hanson • February 22, 2024
We are pleased to announce that Jason Clark has been elected as a partner at Lang Thal King & Hanson PC.
Arizona Capitol Mall

ROC hearings and Arizona's "new trial" statute: two years later, the impact for contractors

By Jamie Hanson • September 19, 2023
Two years after the Arizona legislature revised that statutes that govern appeals from Registrar of Contractors (ROC) hearings, this article revisits the changes and discusses what we now know and still don't.
Roofing worker

ADOSH inspection program focuses on heat-related illness, injury

By Andrew Wenker • July 25, 2023
On July 17, 2023, the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) announced the launch of a state emphasis program focused on “high heat” industries such as construction and agriculture.
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Construction Industry Involvement

Lang Thal King & Hanson construction attorneys are active members of many of Arizona's leading construction trade associations.

A Full-Service Construction Law Firm

For Phoenix-area contractors, subcontractors, construction suppliers and project owners, dealing effectively with construction-related Arizona legal issues is essential to your success and freeing you to focus on running a profitable business.

Contractors depend on the industry-specific experience and skill of our Phoenix construction lawyers in a wide variety of areas, ranging from construction litigation and ROC licensing issues to prompt pay protection and  bond claims.

We also advise and advocate for employers in the increasingly complex world of employment law, wage-and-hour issues, and jobsite safety.

You may also benefit from our experience in helping financially distressed construction companies position and structure themselves for future viability, licensing and profitability.

Recent Victories for Contractors

Recovered the entire principal ($267,500) plus 18% interest and the vast majority of the excavation contractor’s attorneys’ fees and costs in a lawsuit against a developer who refused to pay for construction work about which there were no complaints.

Through arbitration, we obtained 100% of the principal, 18% interest and all of a gymnasium floor subcontractor’s attorneys’ fees and costs in a lawsuit against the general contractor, who refused to pay despite being paid for the work by the owner.

Negotiated a settlement with an Arizona city on behalf of a general contractor in the construction of an airport runway. We convinced the city to waive liquidated damages and issue a check for more than $425,000 without having to file a lawsuit.

Negotiated a settlement in excess of $1 million on behalf of a subcontractor in a dispute with the general contractor on a high-profile solar project.

Negotiated claims against an Arizona county on behalf of an unpaid paving subcontractor. We were able to recover all of the principal, 12% interest and the majority of the client’s attorneys’ fees.

  • More Results

    Recovered $175,000 from a general contractor, on behalf of a subcontractor, on a pay-if-paid clause by winning a motion for partial summary judgment on the eve of trial.


    Successfully represented a local roofing contractor against the owner of a large condominium complex who refused to pay more than $150,000 in insurance proceeds earmarked for roofing work. We recovered the entire amount of the claim plus our client’s attorney’s fees.


    Recovered more than $800,000 for a multi-state construction supplier in a lawsuit against the general contractor on multiple projects.


    Successfully defended a mineral appraisal firm against a $3.5 million claim alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation. We reached a zero-dollar settlement with the plaintiffs.


    Sued the owner of an apartment complex for wrongful termination of a contract with a roofing contractor. Without performing any work on the project, our client recovered the entire projected profit that they would have realized if the contract had been honored.


    Successfully represented a concrete supplier in a breach of contract lawsuit against a general contractor, recovering our client’s $60,000 claim and winning a $40,000 award for attorney’s fees.


    Won a dismissal of a bank’s deficiency claim against our client, and the bank was ordered to pay our clients’ attorney’s fees.


    Sued the owner of a medical facility to foreclose on a mechanic’s lien, recovering 100% of the principal (more than $120,000) and obtaining attorney’s fees, costs and 18% interest pursuant to the Arizona Prompt Payment Act.


    In a lawsuit for breach of contract, won a full judgment and partial recovery for a carpentry contractor against an out-of-state owner and general contractor on an Arizona hotel project.


    By persuading the court to invalidate a supplier’s preliminary 20-day notices served on our client, obtained a dismissal of the supplier’s $170,000 bond claim.


    Successfully represented a homebuilder in ROC complaints, lawsuits and arbitrations brought by seven homeowners in the same development. Most of the complaints and legal actions were dismissed, and our client ended up paying just $800.

Collections and Lien Enforcement

We help contractors and suppliers preserve their payment rights, through our collection experience and online resources pertaining to mechanics' liens, bond claims, stop notices and the Arizona Prompt Pay Act.

ROC Licensing and Complaints

Arizona contractors depend on our experience in a broad range of Arizona Registrar of Contractors matters, including administrative hearings concerning license denials and disciplinary matters, such as workmanship and no-pay complaints.

Government Regulation

We represent contractors in wage and hour investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor; challenges of workers compensation claims; OSHA and ADOSH safety violations; Davis-Bacon wage compliance; and dust control violations.

Construction Business Law

Our industry knowledge is a valuable asset in drafting contracts, subcontracts, and other project and development documents.

Contractors also look to us for strategic assistance in a variety of areas, including:

  • creating LLCs and other legal structures
  • succession planning
  • business sales and acquisitions

Contractor Startup

Success in the construction industry requires having the right legal entity, a sound business plan, the correct contractor's licenses, solid document forms, effective employment policies, and a legal review of leases, contracts and insurance policies. More at Contractor Startup.

Construction Litigation

We have a long-standing tradition of resolving complex construction disputes and related issues (see results below) involving subcontractors, general contractors, suppliers, lenders, state and local governments, property owners and developers. Our construction litigation background includes contested matters related to:

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