Alexander Michael Kipnis

Alex's practice is focused on large, technically-complex projects, including energy (fossil, nuclear, and renewable), power generation and transmission, oil & gas extraction and refining, mining and minerals, chemical process facilities, pipelines and other transmission projects, industrial projects, manufacturing facilities, infrastructure projects, and large healthcare and hospitality projects. He is a veteran of many litigation and domestic and international arbitration proceedings (including many tried to verdict, judgment, or final award) under the laws of many U.S. and international jurisdictions. His arbitration experience includes administered and non-administered proceedings under ICC, UNCITRAL, AAA, and other rules. Alex's expertise encompasses nearly every type of construction dispute, including defects, delay, disruption, and cost growth. Alex also helps companies conduct internal investigations, respond to investigations brought by a government, and design corporate compliance programs that are successful and well-received by enforcing authorities and other stakeholders.

Alex began his legal career with Stein Ray LLP in 2005. He is admitted to practice in Illinois, New York, and New Jersey. He speaks fluent Russian. He is married with two kids, enjoys playing outdoors with his family, and is a Star Wars geek.

• A consortium of two of the world’s leading EPCM firms in negotiating with project owner to address the impact of COVID-19 on the design and construction of one of the largest liquified natural gas (LNG) facilities in the world, and in managing disputes with a series of subcontractors on issues of delay, disruption, differing site conditions, and design and construction defects, with total amount in controversy in excess of $1.5 billion.
• A major European construction consortium defend against more than $300 million in claims arising from the construction of a hydro power generating facility in Atlantic Canada, and prosecute more than $300 million in claims against the owner.
• A top 5* EPCM firm defeat approximately $1 billion in owner's claims alleging gross negligence, fraud, and errors in the design, procurement, and construction of a first-of-its-kind metallurgical processing facility in Eastern Canada. Following a five-week arbitration hearing in Toronto, Alex's client not only defeated all of these claims, but was awarded more than $17 million in damages in its own right.
• A different top 5* EPCM firm successfully defend against more than $130 million in owner's claims in connection with alleged errors in the detailed design of a $2 billion silicon manufacturing facility in Southern United States
• A top 5* CM firm defeat more than $100 million in claimed construction errors in connection a $2 billion ammonia plant in U.S. Midwest. Following an evidentiary hearing, Alex's client prevailed on all claims.
• An owner of an African mineral slurry pipeline defend against scope change and prolongation claims by a contractor, and pursue delay and environmental damage claims
• An owner of an African power plant defend against delay and disruption claims, and prosecute claims for defective work and delay, against a consortium of international contractors
• An owner of an African nickel and cobalt refining facility defend against prolongation and disruption claims, and prosecute delay claims, against a Korean contractor
• An owner of a major Illinois power plant pursue claims against a supplier of the air quality management system in excess of $50 million
• A major chemical process engineering firm defend against defect claims in connection with a calcium chloride processing facility in Southern United States
• A global MEPS design firm to defend against a $25 million design defect and delay claim regarding a state-of-the-art courthouse
• A well-known global water and environmental engineering firm to defend against a $10 million design defect claim arising out of the design of a municipal water system
• A top foreign-based global telecommunications EPC firm to conduct a series of worldwide internal investigations and to design a global compliance program following allegations of corruption and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
• A consortium of lenders to defend against a $600 million lender liability lawsuit brought by the developers of a luxury hotel and condominium development in Chicago in one of the largest lawsuits of its kind
• An electrical engineering firm to defend against a $4 million claim arising out of a fire on a municipal rail system
• A publicly-traded owner to recover over $30 million from insurance companies to cover liability arising out of an advertising campaign
• Several of New York's most prominent architectural and engineering firms in connection with nearly $700 million in liability claims asserted by first responders at the World Trade Center site
• A global oilfield services EPC firm develop and deploy an effective compliance program following allegations of corrupt payments to foreign officials and officials of foreign state oil companies
• A major Chicago developer in connection with a series of defect claims by condominium boards totaling in excess of $40 million
• An architectural firm to defend a $12 million claim for design errors in connection with an upscale ski resort
• A school district to assert a $6 million claim against its insurance carrier to recover payment for tornado damage
• An infrastructure and industrial EPC firm in connection with the owner's $12 million claim alleging design defects at a food processing facility.