Practice & Industry Groups
Overview
Ben Crego provides counsel across the full spectrum of construction law. Ben advises on public procurement and pre-bid considerations, contract formation, project administration, claims preparation, prosecution and defense, and dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration, and litigation.
Ben draws on more than a decade of experience representing Florida’s 2nd largest County in various stages of complex construction projects. Before joining the firm, Ben served as a Senior Assistant County Attorney for Broward County. He represented Broward County’s Construction Management Division throughout all phases of vertical construction projects, including project development, contract negotiation, and project delivery. He also represented the County in construction-related claims and litigation, commercial litigation, eminent domain proceedings, and inverse condemnation matters. Ben’s experience includes advising on construction projects, including courthouse, hotel, convention center, library, airport, office, park, utility, and general building renovations, among other types of projects, as well as professional service contracts with designers, engineers, and construction managers.
Ben’s professional experience includes advising on public procurement laws and processes, including the procurement of construction contractors, architects, engineers, and other professionals.
Notable Experience
As a Senior Assistant County Attorney:
- Litigated and reached a favorable resolution of a construction lawsuit brought by a contractor against the owner seeking approximately $31.5 million for alleged owner-caused delays and changed work on an approximately $200 million vertical construction project. In advance of resolution, obtained partial summary judgment eliminating approximately $4.5 million in contractor claims. Concurrently litigated counterclaims against the contractor and third-party claims against a joint venture design professional and owner’s representative.
- Defended the owner against breach of contract and wrongful termination claims brought by a contractor and prosecuted a breach of contract counterclaim for defective and nonconforming work and project delays. Resolved lawsuit with the contractor’s performance bond surety making the owner nearly whole. No funds were paid by the owner.
- Represented the owner in asserting claims arising from deficiencies in the design of an HVAC system for an animal care facility. The dispute was favorably resolved before litigation. Issues addressed included the design professional’s arguments of first costs and betterment.
- Represented the owner of a public water main after a subcontractor drove a helical pile through the water main while constructing a bridge for an unrelated municipality. The matter was resolved with the owner recovering close to the full cost of remediation.
- Defended the owner against an inverse condemnation action arising from the expansion of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Represented the owner through mediation, court ordered arbitration, trial, and appeal. Obtained a directed verdict at the close of the plaintiff’s case and recovered more than $150,000 in attorneys’ fees.
- Condemned a parcel of land pursuant to Chapters 73 and 74, Florida Statutes, to facilitate the construction of an emergency communications tower.
Credentials
Education
- J.D., magna cum laude, Florida International University College of Law, 2014
- FIU Law Review, Editor-in-Chief
- B.A., cum laude, University of South Florida, 2011
Admissions
- Florida
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida