Heather DeBlanc has more than a decade of experience in construction law, helping clients develop efficient and smooth running projects. She has represented public agency project owners as well as general and sub-contractors on public works projects – with a special emphasis on educational facilities.
She has extensive experience advising public agency project owners during the course of construction on payment and performance issues, as well as assisting with revising prequalification programs to improve the bid process and project delivery.
Ms. DeBlanc has experience drafting and analyzing a variety of construction contracts, investigating projects during and after construction as well as litigating contract disputes. She is adept at identifying and minimizing risk in construction contracts because of her familiarity with the construction process and successful litigation record.
Representative Work
Metro Gold Line Construction Authority – Gold Line Light Rail Project. Involved with the drafting of design-build contracts for the successful development of the Gold Line.
Foothill/Eastern and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agencies. Providing legal oversight for contracting and procurement issues for design-build contracts and operation and maintenance contracts for toll roads, facilities and systems. Also involved with ongoing contract administration and claims avoidance.
Nevada Department of Transportation – PPP Program. Assisted the Department with the Pioneer Program, its public-private partnership program. Advised on project/program guidelines and procurement strategy, structure, and implementation. Program will include public-private partnerships, design-build, unsolicited proposals and other alternative delivery and innovative finance.
Mississippi Department of Transportation – Airport Parkway Project. Assisted with procurement strategy and the development of procurement and contract documents for the design, construction, maintenance and operation of a new, 12-mile toll road in Jackson, Mississippi.
Texas Department of Transportation – IH 635 Managed Lanes Project. Member of the Nossaman team advising the Department on all aspects of the procurement of a public-private partnership agreement for the $1+ billion IH 635 Managed Lanes Project in Dallas. The 25-mile project includes the construction of managed lanes, reconstruction of general purpose lanes, construction of new and reconstruction of existing frontage roads, installation of necessary tolling infrastructure, establishment of tolling operations, as well as operations and maintenance.
Texas Department of Transportation – North Tarrant Express (IH 820/SH 183) Project. Member of the team advising TxDOT on the $1 billion+ public-private partnership to design, build, operate and maintain a 27-mile highway expansion project in Dallas. The project will incorporate tolled lanes adjacent to existing free lanes and will include modernization of existing facilities along the corridor.
Los Angeles Unified School District. Advised the District for five years, successfully resolving dozens of disputes with various contractors.
Alhambra Unified School District. Advised District on various course of construction issues and successfully resolved payment and extra work disputes with various contractors.
City of West Hollywood. Favorably settled a dispute brought against the City by a contractor.
Moss Construction. Represented builder providing sub-contractor construction services for a Southern California school district.
Swinerton Builders. Provided general contracting company with general litigation advice on several public works projects.