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
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.
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)
News & Events
04/13/2012, Southwest Super Lawyers 2012 Recognizes 50 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys in Phoenix and Tucson
09/06/2011, The Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 99 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys as Leaders in Their Field
07/29/2011, Snell & Wilmer Congratulates its 99 Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2011
06/20/2011, Super Lawyers® 2011 Recognizes 74 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys
Also Names 21 Firm Attorneys to the 2011 Rising Stars List
10/21/2010, Ninety-Nine Snell & Wilmer Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America 2011
06/22/2010, Sixty-Seven Snell & Wilmer Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers 2010
08/01/2009, Ninety-Eight Snell & Wilmer Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2010
07/10/2009, Law & Politics Selects 75 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys as 2009 Super Lawyers
Publications
03/13/2012, Under Construction Newsletter - March 2012
12/13/2011, Under Construction - December 2011
09/27/2011, Under Construction - September 2011
06/22/2011, Under Construction - June 2011
03/15/2011, Under Construction-March 2011
05/21/2010, Under Construction-May 2010
02/25/2010, Under Construction-February 2010
01/01/2010, Best Lawyers in America: Jim Sienicki
11/25/2009, Under Construction-November 2009
Tracking Your Carbon Footprint: EPA's New Final Rule May Require Your Company to Report All Greenhouse Gas Emissions beginning Jan. 1, 2010
08/28/2009, Under Construction - August 2009
05/13/2009, Under Construction - May 2009
02/11/2009, Legal Alert: Contractors - Get Ready for a Money Tsunami
01/23/2009, Under Construction - January 2009
10/30/2008, Under Construction - October 2008
07/09/2008, Under Construction - July 2008
03/01/2007, Under Construction - March 2007