Overview
As a member of the firm’s Construction Practice Group, Drew’s practice consists of representing construction owners, managers, contractors, design professionals, and surety companies among other construction professionals. He assists construction professionals in all aspects of the commercial construction process from inception through completion.
Drew has a comprehensive understanding of construction law and is prepared to resolve any project-specific claims that could arise from a dispute, such as claims and defenses associated with breach of contract, unjust enrichment, breach of trust, defect, delay, payment and performance surety bonds, indemnification, mechanic’s liens, and negligence. Drew has also advised clients concerning real estate law, community association law, non-profit corporate law, and bankruptcy claims.
Representative Experience
- Assisted in representation of an insurance-restoration contractor in a payment and performance dispute with a commercial property owner relating to emergency remediation work performed on the property, including negotiation of a favorable six-figure settlement.
- Secured summary judgment on behalf of a surety company against a general contractor in an indemnity claim.
- Successfully defended against an improper mechanic’s lien claim against a residential property.
- Assisted in representation of a general contractor in a multi-party dispute arising from a multi-million-dollar construction of a medical center.
- Assisted in representation of a subcontractor in a dispute with a general contractor arising from a multi-million-dollar construction of a hotel and apartment complex.
- Assisted in representation of a paving subcontractor in a dispute arising from payment and performance dispute relating to work performed on multiple Northeast Ohio schools.
- Assisted in representation of a subcontractor against several lower-tier subcontractors involving claims for non-payment at a large commercial project.
- Advised clients regarding the potential adverse effects of a mechanic’s lien filed against a residential property prior to the sale of the property and way to mitigate those effects.
- Assisted in representation of a condominium association against a contractor in a construction design and defect dispute involving multiple condominium buildings.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D., 2016
- Dennison University, B.A., 2010
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- U.S District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Member
- Forum on Construction Law (2023 – Present)
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Counsel of Delegates (2022 – Present)
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member
Community Involvement
- Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association (CMLAA) Student Mentor Program, Mentor (2020 – Present)
- Cleveland Leadership Center, OnBoard Cleveland (Class of 2022)
Awards & Honors
- Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars List (2022 – Present)
- Named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® list in Construction Law (2022 – Present)
Publications
- “OSHA’s New PPE Rule: Ensuring Proper Fit for Construction Workers,” Frantz Ward On the Level / Labor & Employment Law Navigator (December 2024)
- “Mitigating Impact of Hidden Risks Behind the Walls”, Properties Magazine (October 2024)
- “Artificial Intelligence on the Jobsite,” Properties Magazine (August 2023)
- “A Mechanic’s Lien Has Been Filed Against Your Property, What Now?” Frantz Ward On the Level (April 2023)
- “The Implementation and Expansion of Blockchain Technology in the Construction Industry,” Frantz Ward on the Level (June 2021)
- “Pay-If-Paid” vs. “Pay-When-Paid”: Understanding Contractor’s and Subcontractor’s Assumption of Risk of Owner’s Nonpayment,” Frantz Ward On the Level (March 2021)
- “Federal Stop Gap Healthcare Insurance: A Simple Solution,” The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (March 2017)
Representative Experience
- Assisted in representation of an insurance-restoration contractor in a payment and performance dispute with a commercial property owner relating to emergency remediation work performed on the property, including negotiation of a favorable six-figure settlement.
- Secured summary judgment on behalf of a surety company against a general contractor in an indemnity claim.
- Successfully defended against an improper mechanic’s lien claim against a residential property.
- Assisted in representation of a general contractor in a multi-party dispute arising from a multi-million-dollar construction of a medical center.
- Assisted in representation of a subcontractor in a dispute with a general contractor arising from a multi-million-dollar construction of a hotel and apartment complex.
- Assisted in representation of a paving subcontractor in a dispute arising from payment and performance dispute relating to work performed on multiple Northeast Ohio schools.
- Assisted in representation of a subcontractor against several lower-tier subcontractors involving claims for non-payment at a large commercial project.
- Advised clients regarding the potential adverse effects of a mechanic’s lien filed against a residential property prior to the sale of the property and way to mitigate those effects.
- Assisted in representation of a condominium association against a contractor in a construction design and defect dispute involving multiple condominium buildings.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D., 2016
- Dennison University, B.A., 2010
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- U.S District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Member
- Forum on Construction Law (2023 – Present)
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Counsel of Delegates (2022 – Present)
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member
Community Involvement
- Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association (CMLAA) Student Mentor Program, Mentor (2020 – Present)
- Cleveland Leadership Center, OnBoard Cleveland (Class of 2022)
Awards & Honors
- Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars List (2022 – Present)
- Named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® list in Construction Law (2022 – Present)
Publications
- “OSHA’s New PPE Rule: Ensuring Proper Fit for Construction Workers,” Frantz Ward On the Level / Labor & Employment Law Navigator (December 2024)
- “Mitigating Impact of Hidden Risks Behind the Walls”, Properties Magazine (October 2024)
- “Artificial Intelligence on the Jobsite,” Properties Magazine (August 2023)
- “A Mechanic’s Lien Has Been Filed Against Your Property, What Now?” Frantz Ward On the Level (April 2023)
- “The Implementation and Expansion of Blockchain Technology in the Construction Industry,” Frantz Ward on the Level (June 2021)
- “Pay-If-Paid” vs. “Pay-When-Paid”: Understanding Contractor’s and Subcontractor’s Assumption of Risk of Owner’s Nonpayment,” Frantz Ward On the Level (March 2021)
- “Federal Stop Gap Healthcare Insurance: A Simple Solution,” The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (March 2017)
