Humanity has always been a species of builders. From the time of thatched rooftops and mud-brick walls to the era of skyline-defining spires of metal, cement, and glass, we’ve shaped our world to suit our needs. From the functional to the artistic, the foundations of architecture are present in everyone, and for some, those foundations are developed into an abiding love and respect for the builder’s profession. 

For attorney Gregory Ziegler, those foundations are well-laid and thoroughly developed. His appreciation for architecture extends beyond the structure to embrace the builders themselves, and he’s dedicated his life to protecting their rights, their reputations, and their careers. With decades of legal success on his record, Ziegler has proven he has as exacting an eye for precision and expert detail as the clients he represents. 

Early Inspiration and Education

Gregory Ziegler’s appreciation began in childhood, as he grew up in a home designed and built by his father. Growing up surrounded by architectural drawings and getting his hands dirty laying brick and installing insulation at a young age imbued Ziegler with a respect for both the design process and the physical craftsmanship of subcontractors. That respect would guide Ziegler’s education and career.

His educational background is extensive, boasting the University of Michigan, Southern Methodist University, University of Oklahoma College of Law, and Texas Tech University School of Law as his alma mater. Gregory Ziegler’s academic journey was marked by success both in the classroom and on the football field as a collegiate quarterback. He found that both football and legal action required strategic thinking and team coordination—he worked hard to excel at both.

Comprehensive Philosophy of Risk Management

After growing up in a household where creativity and construction were celebrated, Gregory Ziegler wanted to turn his legal expertise toward supporting and defending professionals in those fields. The design and construction industries became his target client base, and Ziegler dedicates himself to making sure they have the legal support they need to parse the ever-growing complexity and nuance of their professions. 

Ziegler would be the first to tell you that the primary common denominator for any legal issue faced by his clients is risk. Between the laws of physics and the laws of the land, engineers and architects are constantly balancing risk against success. 

Ziegler says, “Risk arises from the projects and clients designers choose to take on, the contract language they’re willing to live with, and the time, labor, and money they’re willing to invest in contract performance.”

Managing that risk and associated liability is a core part of Ziegler’s practice, and doing so effectively requires a comprehensive, mindful approach that balances the client’s business needs against the need for risk protection. For new projects, this approach begins with a roadmap of both project performance and contract compliance. This roadmap helps keep the client from rendering services outside their scope of work (without a change order), helps establish careful communication strategies between the client and other team members, and defines documentation strategies to record communications throughout the entire process. 

However, even the best laid plans are vulnerable to outside interference and disruption. When a client needs mediation or litigation for a dispute, Gregory Ziegler is prepared for that too. When preparing for such cases, Ziegler asks one simple question: “What is best for business?”

The balancing act of risk and liability runs through disputes as much as new projects, and the choice to settle a case or litigate it is heavily affected by the ruthless calculus of success. The costs of defense must be compared against the potential of future claimants, which must then be considered when determining the case’s impact on things such as liability insurance policies and their potential renewal.  

When it comes to managing risks, Ziegler has this to say: “Understand that it is not enough to be a good architect, engineer, surveyor, landscape architect, or building inspector.  Nor is it good enough to just do a good job. The road to lawsuits is paved with good designers who did their job well. . . Consult with legal counsel in advance of projects, whether in-house counsel or the company’s outside law firm, to become educated about risk potential.”

Towering Professional Excellence

The role of legal counsel is one of guidance and protection as much as it is one of courtroom battles. Through his nearly 30 years of professional experience, Gregory Ziegler has proven his ability to fulfill the duties of that role with care and excellence.

“We pride ourselves on defending the design professional from Wall Street to Main Street, employing the same degree of tenacious, zealous advocacy to both,” Ziegler says. From architects and engineering liability to employment law to real estate litigation, Gregory Ziegler is an eager and capable legal representative.

Eyes On The Future

The role of legal counsel evolves with every passing year. New laws, new regulations, new environmental conditions, all will change the way businesses and individuals approach architecture and design. Gregory Ziegler knows this, and is working to prepare for what he thinks will be the dominant priority for design and engineering clients moving forward: risk mitigation. 

He says, “Legal counsel will be asked to become involved earlier in projects and sooner in the potential claim context.  This is a byproduct of society and commerce becoming even more litigious, and the design sector becoming smarter and learning from the past.”

Published by: Khy Talara