Vernon Childs Howerton Jr.

Vernon helps businesses avoid and resolve commercial disputes through negotiation, alternative dispute resolution and litigation, with an emphasis on construction and government contract law. Since 1992, Vernon has represented construction owners, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers in claims and dispute avoidance, resolution and litigation arising from public and private heavy civil, industrial, telecom, and commercial project contracts, including claims related to changed work, extra work, differing site conditions, defective specifications, suspensions, delays and construction defects. Vernon has also presented or defended various bid protests related to federal, state and local government contracts and defends OSHA citations for workplace safety violations.

In addition to dispute related work, Vernon has significant experience with construction contract document preparation, negotiation, and risk analysis. He also represents small, disadvantaged, minority and women owed businesses in certification disputes and government contractors / vendors denied DBE / MBE / WBE participation credits.