Michael J. Frantz, Jr. Photo

Michael J. Frantz, Jr.

Partner

Overview

Mike dedicates his practice to the construction industry. He has the experience to assist clients with virtually any issue they may encounter. Mike regularly assists his clients with preparing and reviewing contract documents, developing and implementing risk avoidance procedures, closing out projects, and managing project-related claims, such as breach of contract claims, delay and acceleration claims, differing site condition claims, and defective work/defective design claims.

Mike also has an extensive understanding of the insurance and surety industries. He regularly assists his clients with insurance coverage disputes, preparing and responding to bond claims, and analyzing surety and indemnitor rights under General Indemnity Agreements.

Mike teams with his clients to identify creative and efficient ways to best protect their legal and business interests. He maintains a multi-jurisdictional practice in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Jersey. His extensive trial and appellate litigation experience allows him to advise clients on the best methods to avoid unnecessary, expensive litigation or aggressively defend/prosecute claims should litigation become necessary.





Practices

    • Represents sureties against large-scale claims including a $20 million claim for damages arising out of construction of large-scale medical facility.
    • Regularly defends contractors against defective work, breach of contract, and statutory violations arising out of residential construction projects.
    • Represents contractors and material suppliers seeking payment for delays, defective design, and changes in work.
    • Successfully defended general contractors against breach of contract/failure to pay allegations based upon contingent payment and other contractual provisions.
    • Successfully represents subcontractors seeking compensation for additional work performed on projects.
    • Regularly counsels construction companies on best practices for project and claim management.
  • Education

    • Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 2006
    • Michigan State University, B.A., Business Economics, with High Honors, 2003

    Admissions

    • State of Ohio
    • State of Pennsylvania
    • State of New Jersey
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania and District of New Jersey
  • Professional Affiliations

    • American Bar Foundation—Fellow
    • American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law, Division 6 (Labor and Employment)—Steering Committee (2017-Present)
    • American Bar Association—Member
    • Ohio State Bar Association Board of Governors - District 12 Representative (2018- Present)
    • Construction Financial Management Association—Member (2018-Present)
    • Ohio Surety Association—Member (2016-Present)
    • National Bond Claims Association—Member (2018-Present)
    • Ohio State Bar Association—Member; Leadership Academy Member; Council of Delegates (2018-Present) 
    • Pennsylvania Bar Association—Member
    • Ohio State Bar Foundation—Fellow

    Community Involvement

    • Cleveland Leadership Center, Cleveland Bridge Builders (Class of 2018)
    • Cleveland Leadership Center, Civic Leadership Institute (Class of 2015)
    • Urban Community School—Board of Trustees (2019-Present)
    • Named to The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Construction Law (2024) and Construction Litigation (2024)
    • Named to Chambers USA: America’s Guide to Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of Construction (2021-2023)
    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated—Martindale-Hubbell
    • Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (2021)
    • Named to the New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (2011)
    • Selected to America's Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators (2019) 
    • Recognized as an “Outstanding Young Lawyer” by New Jersey Monthly Magazine (2011)
    • "Fast Tracking Your Way to Success: An In-Depth Look at the Hidden Risks in Fast Tracking Construction and Techniques to Avoid Them," Advice From the Trenches Frantz Ward Construction Webinar (February 2021) 
    • "At the Intersection of Environmental Law and Construction," Ohio State Bar Association's Annual Ohio Environment, Energy and Resources Law Seminar, Webinar (October 2020) 
    • "Pay Equity in the Construction Industry," ABA Forum on Construction Law Fall Meeting, Philadelphia, PA (October 2019) 
    • "Unearthing the Risks of Delegated Design and Design-Assist," Advice from the Trenches- Frantz Ward Construction Practice Seminar, Cleveland, OH (February 2019) 
    • “A Core Construction Law Curriculum”, Kent State University/Turner Construction School of Construction Workshop , Kent, OH (December 2018)
    • "We Can Work it Out: AAA Arbitration and Mediation in Real Estate," CMBA REal Estate Insitute (November 2018) 
    • "What Do You Do When the Other Party Threatens to Terminate the Contract?," National Business Institute, Cleveland, OH (May 2017)
    • “Ohio Construction Contract Law Update” and “Contract Termination,” National Business Institute, Cleveland, OH (December 2016)
    • “Shop Drawings and Submittals,” Construction Employers Association Frantz Ward Legal Series, Cleveland, OH (November 2016)
    • “Defending Surety Bad Faith Claims Amid Differing State Standards,” Surety Association of Ohio, Webinar (October 2016)