Jerry Negrete

Jerry advises clients during every phase of a construction project, drafts and negotiates contracts, and litigates construction disputes.

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.

Awards

Jerry is Board Certified in Construction Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Jerry was named a Texas Super Lawyer “Rising Star” in the area of Construction Litigation in 2021-2022 as reported in Super Lawyers magazine; Thomson Reuters.

Jerry was named an Austin Monthly Top Attorney in 2020-2023 in the area of Construction Law.

Seminars & Published Works

  • “Navigating the Procurement Maze,” 37th Annual Construction Law Conference, March 2024
  • “Public Procurement in Texas,” The Basics Course in Texas Construction Law, December 2022
  • “Shop Around: Purchasing and Procurement for Construction,” Municipal Seminar, July 2022
  • “Senate Bill 219 Update,” ACEA Design + Construction Symposium, May 2022
  • “Public Procurement in Texas,” The Basics Course in Texas Construction Law, December 2021
  • “On Time and Under Budget: Successful Construction and Renovation Project Strategies,” Texas Charter Schools Conference, October 2018
  • “Protecting Your Right to Payment,” Texas Contractor, October 2018
  • “Procurement Law for Charter Schools – Facilities and Construction,” Texas Charter Schools Conference, October 2017
  • “Charter School Procurement Basics,” The Network Summer Summit, June 2017
  • “Texas Trust Fund Act,” Texas Contractor, February 2017
  • “Procurement Law for Charter Schools,” Texas Charter Schools Conference, October 2016
  • “Alternative Delivery Methods: Design-Build:Vertical,” Texas Contractor, August 2016

Education

J.D., University of Texas School of Law, 2012
B.A., Government, cum laude, University of Texas at Austin, 2006

Professional Associations and Memberships

Austin Bar Association, Construction Law Section | Chair (Present); Chair-Elect (2022-2023); Member (2013-Present)
Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association | Member (2014-Present)
ACE Mentor Program of Austin | Board of Directors (2016 – 2019)
BookSpring | Board of Directors (2015 – 2018)
Teach For America Austin Alumni | Board Member (2011 – 2016)

Recent Works by Jerry Negrete

Contractual Dispute Resolution Provisions: A Primer

This article discusses various forms of dispute resolution you may see in a contract. You'll also be provided examples of common dispute resolution contract provisions and learn what to look for next time you review [...]

Protecting Your Right to Payment

This article contains tips and tricks to help protect a contractor's right to payment while maintaining a professional and working relation with the owner. Download the full article.