Jim Sienicki's practice involves construction law representation, general commercial litigation, creditors' rights and other litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. Jim is the head of the firm's construction practice group.
Representative Matters
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Construction Law Representation
- Since 1983, Jim has represented owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals, and lenders in litigation, negotiations, arbitration, and mediation matters involving public and private projects. He has experience in public bid procedures, bid protests, contract administration, preparation of construction claims, calculation and proof of damages, surety rights, lien and bond claims, licensing and registration requirements, architect and engineer liability, Registrar of Contractors' disputes, personal injury litigation, administrative law issues, legislation, insurance risks and coverage, and bankruptcy matters. Jim's practice includes preparation of construction contracts, architect agreements, and consultant agreements for multimillion-dollar projects, and purchase orders, subcontracts, joint check agreements, and other construction documents.
General Commercial, Creditors' Rights & Other Litigation
- Jim works with clients regarding creditors' rights, UCC, bankruptcy, contract, lease, personal injury defense, and aviation litigation. This involves representation of secured and unsecured creditors, including banks, lending institutions, construction material suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, hotel industry clients, and various other clients regarding creditors' rights and remedies (from the demand letter stage through collection of judgment and bankruptcy). He has experience in promissory note, open account, Uniform Commercial Code foreclosure and real property foreclosure litigation, domestication of foreign judgments and collection thereof, mechanics' lien and bond claim litigation, and prejudgment writs of replevin, garnishment and attachment litigation.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Arbitrator, Panel Member, American Arbitration Association (AAA) (1996-present), Advanced AAA Arbitration Training (2001), Annual Arbitrator Update (2002-Present), Prior Panel Member, United States Arbitration and Mediation of Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico, State Bar of Arizona ADR Section. Jim is experienced in arbitration and mediation of construction disputes.
Education
- University of Kansas (J.D., 1983)
- Order of the Coif
- Managing Editor, Kansas Law Review
- Central Michigan University (M.A., Business Management, 1977)
- U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (B.S., 1974)
- Earned private pilot's license
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of Arizona
- United States District Court, District of Arizona
- United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- United States Court of Claims
Professional Memberships & Activities
- State Bar of Arizona
- ADR, Construction Law and Trial Practice Sections
- American Bar Association
- Forum on the Construction Industry
- Public Contract Law, Tort and Insurance Practice, ADR and Litigation Sections
- Maricopa County Bar Association
- Frequent seminar speaker on various construction-related topics and creditors' rights issues
- American Arbitration Association, Arbitrator
Organizations:
- Alliance for Construction Excellence
- American Subcontractors Association, Board of Directors (2007-2009, 2011)
- Arizona Contractors Association (2008-2011)
- Arizona Builders' Alliance, Legislative Committee (1994-present)
- AGC, Arizona Building Chapter (prior to 1994)
- Associated Builders and Contractors of Arizona
- General Counsel (1992-1994)
- Legislative Committee (1992-1994)
- Arizona Masonry Contractors Association
- Arizona Masonry Guild, Inc.
- Arizona Consulting Engineers Association
- Construction Financial Management Association, Board of Directors (2000-2003)
Representative Presentations & Publications
- Contracting for Integrated Project Delivery, Speaker, California Construction Law Update 2011, Snell & Wilmer, Costa Mesa, CA (October 2011)
- Selection and Use of Experts Regarding Construction Claims, Author, Arizona Construction Law Practice Manual (June 2003; Update October 2011)
- Arizona Procurement Rules and Regulations, Author, American Bar Association Guide to State Procurement Manual (June 2011)
- Entering New Markets: Look Before You Leap, Presenter, IRMI Clearing the Way for Success Convention (November 2010); Arizona Contractors Association (November 2010)
- Maximizing Business Opportunities: Teaming Agreements, Mentoring Arrangements, Subcontracts, Presenter, Construction Financial Management Association (September 2010)
- Holding Fees Down: How to Minimize Your Legal Expenses in a Down Economy, Presenter, American Subcontractors Association Business Forum and Convention 2010 (March 2010)
- Arizona Construction Law 2010: Mock Appellate Argument, Compliance with Notice Provisions In Your Construction Contract, Presenter, State Bar of Arizona (February 2010)
- Admissibility of Expert Testimony Apportioning Percentages of Fault among Parties and Non-Parties, Arizona State Bar, Construction Section (February 2009)
- Under Construction Newsletter, Editor (November 2005 to present)
- Numerous national, regional, and state presentations on construction topics
Professional Recognition & Awards
The Best Lawyers in America®, Construction Law (2003-2012), Construction Litigation (2012) - Southwest Super Lawyers®, Construction Litigation (2007-2012)
- Super Lawyers®, Construction Litigation - Business Edition (2011)
Super Lawyers®, Construction Litigation - Corporate Counsel Edition (2009-2010) - Ranking Arizona: The Best of Arizona Attorneys, Construction & Real Estate Law (2008-2011)
- Top People to Know in Commercial Real Estate, Arizona Commercial Real Estate magazine (2010-2011)
Arizona's Top Lawyers, AzBusiness Magazine (2010) - Arizona's Finest Lawyers (2011)
- America's Most Honored Professionals, American Registry (2011)
Community Involvement
- Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, Arizona Chapter President (1993-present)
- Toastmasters Club (ATM, CTM)
- Arizona Forum, Speaker's Committee Chairperson (1998-2000)
- Boston Marathon (2003, 2005)
Military Service
- Honorable Discharge as Captain from USAF (1980)
- Squadron Officer School (USAF Writing, Speaking and Leadership School) Distinguished Graduate (1978)
- Instructor Navigator (C-5A, World's Largest Airplane), Dover, Delaware (1975-1980)
- Undergraduate Navigator Training, Sacramento, California (1974-1975)
