Jerry Negrete

Jerry Negrete serves her clients in all phases of a construction project. At the outset of a project Jerry advises clients regarding appropriate contractual arrangements to address each client’s specific risk tolerance. Armed with this knowledge, Jerry then drafts and negotiates contracts for projects of all sizes and delivery methods. In the public realm, Jerry helps her clients navigate the procurement process required for public works projects.

During the course of a project Jerry provides outside general counsel services to resolve payment and performance disputes so the client can focus on completing the work and avoid the inevitable distraction caused by litigation. Jerry’s representation frequently involves complicated project closeout scenarios with competing claims from each project participant. Jerry uses her deep understanding of construction law, contractual obligations, and the underlying motivation of each party to achieve project closeout.

In the event a dispute is not resolved through direct negotiations, Jerry litigates and arbitrates construction disputes involving delay, acceleration, payment, project scope, defect, differing site conditions, and termination.

On a Personal Note

Jerry is a Teach For America alumna. She taught elementary school in Chicago for two years and remains active in the Austin education community through advocacy and philanthropy. Jerry and her husband enjoy travel, live music, and introducing their two children to all the wonderful experiences Austin has to offer.

Representative Experience

• Represented a private owner in a contractor performance and payment dispute through final hearing at arbitration, securing a favorable final judgment that included all costs and attorneys’ fees.
• Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of private owner for negligence and breach of contract claims against the contractor and architect.
• Represented a general contractor in a payment dispute against the owner and obtained full damages from the trial court.
• Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of private owner in a contractor performance and payment dispute. The settlement enabled the owner to complete the project and cure the performance concerns and subcontractor payment issues.
• Represented a public owner in a contractor default and performance bond dispute related to the construction of a jail. The case was ultimately resolved prior to trial through a favorable settlement for the owner.
• Obtained final summary judgment for a developer accused of tortious interference and aiding and abetting related to the purchase of land in Pflugerville, Texas.
• Represented a Rio Grande Valley municipality in a multi-million dollar suit against its design engineer for negligence, fraud, and breach of contract in the design of a water treatment plant. The case was ultimately resolved prior to trial through a favorable settlement for the City.