Commercial Construction Attorney in Marietta
Construction & Business Law. Over 100 Years of Combined Experience.
Reed Leeper, P.C. focuses on construction and business law, representing contractors, project owners, and Fortune 500 companies on commercial construction matters in Marietta and throughout Cobb County. Our attorneys have litigated construction and business disputes in both Georgia state and federal courts, and that courtroom experience shapes how we approach every matter, whether it resolves through negotiation or goes to trial. With over 100 years of combined experience across the team, we bring litigation-tested judgment to contract work, payment claims, and construction disputes.
Commercial construction disputes rarely stay in one lane. A delayed payment becomes a breach of contract claim; a subcontractor dispute involves bond obligations and lien rights at the same time. Our background in both construction law and business law means we handle those overlapping claims without handing off pieces of the matter to other firms. For clients working on projects in Cobb County, that integrated approach means more consistent strategy and fewer gaps.
If your commercial construction project is facing a legal dispute or you need contracts reviewed before breaking ground, call our Marietta office at (470) 837-6002 to schedule a consultation.Serving Marietta & Cobb County Commercial Construction Clients
Marietta is the county seat of Cobb County and sits at the center of one of the Atlanta metro area’s most active commercial construction markets. Civil construction disputes filed here go through the Cobb County Superior Court, and commercial projects in the area are subject to Cobb County zoning and permitting requirements, Georgia building codes, and state construction statutes including Georgia’s lien law and the Georgia Prompt Payment Act.
Our firm is based in Marietta. We practice in the same courts where your disputes would be filed, and we’re familiar with the local procedural environment. For clients navigating construction disputes in Cobb County, that familiarity can reduce the friction that can slow a case down before the substantive issues are even reached.
Commercial Construction Legal Services in Marietta
We handle the full range of legal matters that arise on commercial construction projects, from contract formation through dispute resolution. Our clients include local contractors and national companies, and we tailor our representation to the position each client occupies in the project payment chain.
Our commercial construction services include:
- Contract Drafting & Review: Negotiating and drafting prime contracts, subcontracts, and owner agreements that protect your rights and define scope, payment, and risk allocation clearly.
- Bid Disputes: Representing contractors and owners in bid protest proceedings and disputes over award decisions.
- Payment Disputes & Materialmen’s Lien Claims: Enforcing and defending lien rights under Georgia’s materialmen’s lien claims statute, including filing, perfecting, and litigating lien claims.
- Change Order Disputes: Pursuing or defending claims for additional compensation arising from scope changes, unforeseen conditions, and owner directives.
- Construction Defect Claims: Representing owners and contractors in disputes over workmanship, design, and materials.
- Payment & Performance Bond Claims: Asserting and defending claims under surety bonds on public and private commercial projects.
- Dispute Resolution: Representing clients through mediation, arbitration, and litigation in Cobb County Superior Court and federal court.
- Permit & Compliance Guidance: Advising on Cobb County permitting requirements and Georgia construction code compliance.
Georgia’s commercial construction statutes set strict deadlines. Under Georgia’s materialmen’s lien law, a lien must be filed within 90 days of the last day labor or materials were supplied, and an enforcement action must follow within 365 days of the lien filing. The Georgia Prompt Payment Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 13-11-1 to 13-11-11) imposes payment timelines on commercial projects: owners must pay general contractors within 15 days of a pay request, and general contractors must pay subcontractors within 10 days of receiving periodic payment. Missing these windows can extinguish a claim entirely. Early legal involvement can protect rights that can’t be recovered once a deadline passes. The foregoing is general legal information, not legal advice for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Types of Disputes Does a Commercial Construction Attorney Handle?
Commercial construction attorneys handle contract breaches, payment disputes, materialmen’s lien claims, change order enforcement, construction defect claims, and bond claims. Disputes may involve owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, or design professionals. The specific claims available depend on the client’s position in the project payment chain and the governing contract terms.
What Is the Georgia Prompt Payment Act and How Does It Affect My Commercial Project?
The Georgia Prompt Payment Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 13-11-1 to 13-11-11) sets mandatory payment timelines for commercial construction projects. Owners must pay general contractors within 15 days of a proper pay request; general contractors must pay subcontractors within 10 days of receiving periodic payment. Non-payment can trigger claims for interest and attorney’s fees. The Act doesn’t apply to residential projects of 12 or fewer units. This is general legal information, not advice for your specific situation.
What Are My Options If There Is a Dispute With a Contractor or Subcontractor?
Options include negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation, depending on what your contract requires and what the dispute involves. Early legal involvement matters: it can preserve your rights, help you meet any notice requirements in your contract, and give you a clearer picture of your exposure before a dispute escalates. We assess each dispute to determine which path protects your interests most effectively.
What Should I Do If I’m Not Being Paid for Work on a Commercial Project?
In Georgia, you generally have 90 days from the last day you supplied labor or materials to file a materialmen’s lien. Missing that window extinguishes your lien rights with no extension available. You may also have claims under the Georgia Prompt Payment Act or, on public projects, under a payment bond. Contact a commercial construction lawyer in Marietta as soon as payment is withheld to identify which remedies may apply to your situation.
Discuss Your Commercial Construction Matter
We offer consultations for contractors, owners, and companies facing commercial construction legal issues in Marietta and Cobb County. Our approach is practical and cost-effective: we assess your situation, identify the claims and risks involved, and build a strategy that fits your objectives.
Contact us or call Reed Leeper, P.C. at (470) 837-6002 to schedule a consultation on your commercial construction legal matter.
Strategic Advocacy
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Results-Driven Team
We are dedicated to achieving successful outcomes, no matter how complex the case.
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Client-Centered Service
We focus on understanding your unique needs and provide tailored, strategic advice.
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Integrity In Law
We maintain the highest ethical standards, ensuring honesty and transparency in every case.
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Exceptional Experience
Our team brings deep knowledge across various legal fields to deliver effective solutions.
Georgia Commercial Construction Law: Liens, Prompt Payment & Bond Claims
Georgia gives commercial construction participants three primary statutory tools for protecting payment rights: materialmen’s liens, the Georgia Prompt Payment Act, and payment bond claims. Knowing which tool applies to your situation, and when to use it, is central to commercial construction legal representation.
Materialmen’s Liens
A materialmen’s lien attaches to real property and gives contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers a security interest in the project site when they aren’t paid for labor or materials. In Georgia, the lien must be filed within 90 days of the last day the claimant supplied labor or materials. Once filed, the claimant must bring an enforcement action within 365 days of the lien filing or the lien is lost. Georgia courts enforce these deadlines strictly: no extensions are available, and a missed deadline extinguishes the claim entirely. This is general legal information, not legal advice for your specific situation.
Georgia Prompt Payment Act
The Georgia Prompt Payment Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 13-11-1 to 13-11-11) applies to commercial construction projects and sets binding payment timelines at each level of the payment chain. Owners must pay general contractors within 15 days of a proper pay request. General contractors must pass payment to subcontractors within 10 days of receiving periodic payment. Failure to meet these deadlines can expose the non-paying party to claims for interest and attorney’s fees. The Act doesn’t apply to residential projects of 12 or fewer units. The right legal strategy, whether pursuing or defending a Prompt Payment claim, depends on the specific facts and contract terms involved.
Payment Bond Claims on Public Projects
On Georgia public construction projects, the prime contractor is generally required to furnish a payment bond once the contract value meets the applicable statutory threshold. Under Georgia’s Little Miller Act (O.C.G.A. § 13-10-1 et seq.), that threshold was raised from $100,000 to $250,000 effective July 1, 2025. Because liens can’t attach to public property, payment bond claims are the primary enforcement mechanism for unpaid subcontractors and suppliers on public work. A claimant not in direct contract with the prime contractor must provide written notice of the claim to the general contractor within 90 days of the last day of work. The correct approach varies based on the claimant’s position in the contract chain and the bond’s specific terms.
Both owners and downstream claimants have rights and obligations under these statutes, and the right strategy depends on where you sit in the payment chain and what your project’s contracts require. Our commercial construction attorneys in Marietta work with clients at every level to identify which remedies are available and how to pursue or defend them effectively.
