Brian M. Dobbs

Member

Nashville

(615) 742-7884

bdobbs@bassberry.com

https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/dobbs-brian-m/

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Brian Dobbs has negotiated and drafted construction and design contracts for real estate projects throughout the United States with a total value of more than $1 billion. Working with small start-up companies to large multi-national corporations, including a significant number of large healthcare and hospital companies, Brian drafts, reviews and negotiates design and construction contracts for all types of commercial and industrial projects. Because construction is one of the unique areas of law practice where transactional and litigation legal work intersect, Brian’s diligence on the transactional side allows him to assist clients in avoiding project disputes, resolving disputes and, when they cannot be easily resolved, litigating or arbitrating those disputes. In essence, his experience in one realm gives him a unique perspective on the other, and allows him to protect his clients’ interests throughout a project’s life cycle.

Brian works with leaders of public and private clients including owners, contractors, suppliers, architects, designers, engineers and subcontractors. His practice includes:

Construction Transactions – Advising clients on planning and negotiation of construction and design contracts, including form contracts such as American Institute of Architects (AIA), Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC) and ConsensusDOCS, as well as custom contracts drafted to meet the specific project needs.
Construction Litigation – Defending clients in various types of construction-related claims and disputes, including contractor licensing matters, pre- and post-award bidding disputes, mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens, Prompt Pay Act issues, defect claims, and delay and impact claims.

In 2009, Brian earned the Green Building Certification Institute’s LEED® Green Associate designation. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. A LEED Green Associate is an individual who has demonstrated the knowledge and skill needed to understand and support green design, construction, and operations.

Memberships

American Bar Association — Forum on Construction Law; Section of Litigation; Section of Public Contract Law

Tennessee Association of Construction Counsel (TACC)

Construction Owners Association of America

Associated General Contractors of America (Middle TN Branch)

State Bar of California

American Health Law Association (AHLA)

Representative Experience

Representation of Affordable Housing Developer in Knoxville, Tennessee

Represented the developer of Burlington Commons, an affordable housing complex in East Knoxville

We represented the developer of Burlington Commons, an affordable housing complex in East Knoxville, in all aspects of the transaction....

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Client Type: Private Company
Redevelopment of Historic Amtrak Central Station

Represented Kemmons Wilson Companies, LLC in the closing of a ground lease and financing for the redevelopment of the historic Amtrak Central Station passenger-service terminal in downtown Memphis

We represented Kemmons Wilson Companies, LLC in the closing of a ground lease and financing for the redevelopment of the...

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Client Type: Private Company
Development of Hilton Curio Hotel

Represented Kemmons Wilson Companies, LLC in the formation of a $20 million joint venture as well as the negotiation and closing of a $24 million construction loan for the development of the 119-room Hilton Curio Hotel

We represented Kemmons Wilson Companies, LLC in the formation of a $20 million joint venture with a current land owner/master...

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Client Type: Private Company
Westin Nashville Hotel Debt Refinancing

Represented Nashville Hospitality Group, LLC in a debt refinancing transaction for the Westin Nashville Hotel

We represented Nashville Hospitality Group, LLC in a debt refinancing transaction for the Westin Nashville Hotel, which included a $110...

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Client Type: Private Company
Financing for Rehabilitation of Historic Hickman Building in Memphis

Represented a Memphis investor group in the purchase and closing of the construction loan, PILOT, and bridge loan financings, in coordination with historic tax credit financing, for the rehabilitation of the Hickman Building in Memphis

We represented a Memphis investor group in the purchase and closing of the construction loan, PILOT, and bridge loan financings,...

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Client Type: Private Company
LoJac Holdings Corp. Sells Three Divisions to Vulcan Materials Co.

Represented LoJac Holdings Corp. in its sale of three divisions to Vulcan Materials Co.

We represented LoJac Holdings Corp. in its sale of its asphalt and construction divisions, as well as its Monterey Sand...

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Client Type: Private Company
Advised Manufacturer on Design and Construction Issues on $200 Million Project

Advised a manufacturer on issues arising from a $200 million plant expansion project

We advised a manufacturer in connection with issues related to the design and construction of a $200 million plant expansion...

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Representation of Museum Owner in Dispute Over $100 Million Development

Represented a museum owner in a dispute with their architect

We represented an owner of a $100 million museum development in resolving disputes with its architects.

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Representation of Prison Ministry over Bond Claim and Drafting Construction Contract

Represented prison ministry with a bond claim and the drafting of a construction contract for a housing project

We represented a prison ministry in connection with a claim on a bond. We also assisted with the drafting of...

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Representation of School Board in Dispute over $26 Million Project

Represented a school board in a dispute with the architect and contractor on a $26 million school project

We represented a school board in resolving disputes with its architect and contractor on a $26 million school project.

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Publications

Tennessee Court Extends Economic Loss Doctrine to Construction Claims

May 24, 2022
Tennessee Supreme Court Clarifies Application of the Prompt Pay Act

July 29, 2021
Recent Tennessee Construction Cases Regarding Effects of Unlicensed Contracting and “Time is of the Essence” Clauses in Contracts

September 18, 2020

Media Mentions & Firm News

Accolades

Chambers USA — Construction (2022)

Mid-South Super Lawyers (2017-2020)

Tennessee Law Review

John Joseph Graham Scholarship

Education

University of Tennessee College of Law - J.D., 2001

cum laude
Auburn University - B.A., 1994

Admissions

Tennessee, 2007
California, 2001

U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 2012
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee, 2009
U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee, 2009
U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, 2004
U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 2002

Chambers USA

"Brian Dobbs is an experienced attorney with considerable expertise in construction contracting work. He represents large and small clients from a range of industries, particularly in the healthcare sector. 'Brian is an outstanding attorney who is client-focused, efficient and always well prepared.'"

From Chambers USA 2022