Erin Krejci concentrates her practice on complex construction and real estate disputes. Erin’s practice is multi-faceted and includes extensive experience in defective construction claims, delays, differing site conditions, inefficiencies, failure to pay, change order disputes, contract interpretation, mechanics’ liens, payment and performance bonds, and statutory violations.

Erin strives to provide innovative solutions to complex legal issues facing virtually all construction project stakeholders, including owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and equipment manufacturers. Clients often turn to Erin to spearhead written advocacy efforts because of her creative and strategic approach and her ability to present her client’s claim effectively and persuasively.

Awards and Honors

  • Recognized as a Leading Lawyer in Construction Litigation (2020 – present)
  • Recognized as a Super Lawyer in Construction Litigation (2020 –present)
  • Recognized as an Emerging Lawyer in Construction Litigation (2016 –2019)

Professional Organizations

  • Federation of Women Contractors
  • American Bar Association
    • Forum on Construction Law
  • Chicago Bar Association
    • Construction Law & Mechanics Lien Committee

Representative Matters

  • Represented a municipality that experienced extensive design and construction defects soon after its new state-of-the-art, cutting-edge, highly-automated wastewater treatment plant was put into operation. Faced with significant issues threatening recovery due to the designer’s failure to procure contractually required insurance amounts, Erin and co-counsel were able to obtain a $4M policy-limits settlement without formal mediation, which allowed for maximum recovery on the eroding policy. Erin and co-counsel also negotiated additional settlements with equipment manufacturers, including one where the manufacturer agreed to manufacture and install replacement equipment and provide extended warranties and maintenance, valued over $800k, at no cost to the municipality.
    DuPage County Court, Illinois.
  • Won summary judgment on all counts representing a tenant in dueling breach of contract claims on a build-to-suit project. The developer sued the tenant for over $6 million dollars in lost profits and costs alleging that the tenant improperly terminated the project shortly before construction was to commence. Our client then brought suit for $2 million dollars for reimbursement of its incurred project costs because the developer failed to meet its financing obligations under the lease. Erin drafted summary judgment briefing on the dueling claims and the Court granted summary judgment in our client’s favor on each one. The trial court ruled that the tenant’s termination of the project was proper and that our client was entitled to its incurred costs, which totaled over $2M.
    Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
  • Represented the largest manufacturer of pre-insulated piping systems for district heating and cooling in North America, in a complex design and construction defect dispute with claimed damages in excess of $32M. Erin and her colleague, Chad Shifrin, took the lead for all defendants in the taking and defending of over 65 fact and expert depositions. Erin drafted and prevailed on a case-altering pre-trial motion – successfully challenging a motion for good faith settlement finding in order to avoid severe consequences of joint and several liability as the last remaining named defendant. Shortly after winning this motion, Erin and Chad were able to resolve the litigation through mediation for an amount that it and its insurers deemed extremely favorable. Superior Court of San Francisco, California
  • Won jury verdict in favor of general contractor client. After hearing over five weeks of evidence, the jury found in favor of our client and awarded every dollar requested in the amount of $971,858.33, exclusive of accruing interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. The jury also rejected the opposing party’s claims, which sought in excess of $6 million. The Laurie & Brennan team later secured a judgment entitling their client to collect its attorneys’ fees and costs after obtaining an order from the Court finding that payment was withheld without just cause or right in violation of Section 17 of the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act.
    Circuit Court Cook County, Illinois
  • Defended multi-million-dollar delay claim involving the $4 billion construction of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge just north of New York City for a specialty steel contractor. Our client entered into a successful settlement agreement. New York

Publications

  • Co-Editor, Construction Defects, Second Edition, American Bar Association (2021)
  • Co-Author, “Alternative Dispute Resolution,” Construction Defects, Second Edition, American Bar Association (2021)
  • Co-Author, “Reservation of Rights Letters: Take Control of Your Legal Defense,” CFMA’s Building Profits (2018)
  • Co-Author, “Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment,” MORE Sticks & Bricks: A Lawyer’s Guide to Advanced Construction Systems and Techniques, American Bar Association (2018)

Presentations

  • Co-Presenter, “Court Is In Session: Payment, Change Order and Delay Disputes On Trial,” CFMA Regional Conference, Oakbrook, Illinois (2019)
  • Co-Presenter, “Mock Cross Examination,” ABA Forum on Construction Law Fall 2016 Practicum: Advocacy In Arbitration, Chicago, Illinois (2016)

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Illinois, 2004