About Joseph Katz
Construction in Maryland is often a full-contact sport, and since my 2005 graduation from the University of Maryland School of Law, I have tenaciously helped
hundreds of construction contractors and subcontractors with their legal needs. I regularly consult on government contract administration, and draft and
prosecute requests for equitable adjustments and certified claims under the Contract Disputes Act (and Maryland’s equivalent under C.O.M.A.R.) when
necessary. I am also experienced in the unique practice of bid protests.
Although the most common claim in construction is for payment after the construction services have already been provided, I have found that it is oftMore...
hundreds of construction contractors and subcontractors with their legal needs. I regularly consult on government contract administration, and draft and
prosecute requests for equitable adjustments and certified claims under the Contract Disputes Act (and Maryland’s equivalent under C.O.M.A.R.) when
necessary. I am also experienced in the unique practice of bid protests.
Although the most common claim in construction is for payment after the construction services have already been provided, I have found that it is oftMore...
Joseph Katz's Recent Answers
Aug 31, 2020
Aug 31, 2020
From an Anonymous Contractor
Maryland
Joseph KatzLegal Guard Lawyer
Principal Attorney at Katz LawLegal Guard LawyerTypically, no. A bond, both payment and performance, is for claims made by others, not the principal on the bond. However, if the owner is a private party,
the best course of action for an unpaid GC is usually a mechanic's lien procedure (unless of course it waived its ML rights in a state that allows waiver).
the best course of action for an unpaid GC is usually a mechanic's lien procedure (unless of course it waived its ML rights in a state that allows waiver).
Apr 16, 2020
Apr 16, 2020
From an Anonymous Contractor
MarylandJoseph KatzLegal Guard Lawyer
Principal Attorney at Katz LawLegal Guard LawyerYou may file a lien against the leasehold interest, assuming you improved the tenant's portion by more than 25% of its value (meaning, the 'building' at issue
is the tenant's unit, not the entire mall or strip plaza - and while its hard to quantify its value, a full retrofit will usually more than cover the requisite
improvement value for mechanic's lien purposes). And while it may not sound as sexy as foreclosing on the entire mall through the mechanic's lieSee More...
is the tenant's unit, not the entire mall or strip plaza - and while its hard to quantify its value, a full retrofit will usually more than cover the requisite
improvement value for mechanic's lien purposes). And while it may not sound as sexy as foreclosing on the entire mall through the mechanic's lieSee More...
Jun 7, 2023
Jun 7, 2023
From an Anonymous Contractor
MarylandJoseph KatzLegal Guard Lawyer
Principal Attorney at Katz LawLegal Guard Lawyeri am sorry to hear about your troubling getting paid for the work you have done. It sounds like you know what you need to do, which is to file a mechnaic's
lien as quickly as possible. While you are well within your time limitations for the almost completed hotel renovation, the other jobs may be approaching the
filing deadline for a mechanic's lien, and I urge you to speak with an experienced construction attorney as soon as you can. I can be reached direSee More...
lien as quickly as possible. While you are well within your time limitations for the almost completed hotel renovation, the other jobs may be approaching the
filing deadline for a mechanic's lien, and I urge you to speak with an experienced construction attorney as soon as you can. I can be reached direSee More...
May 25, 2023
From an Anonymous Contractor
MarylandJoseph KatzLegal Guard Lawyer
Principal Attorney at Katz LawLegal Guard LawyerThe fillable form for DC's notice of mechanic's lien addresses this, and indicates that a foreign entity (ie, not a DC entity) which does not transact regular
business within the District, will need to provide its current license to do business in its home jurisidction, as well as a certificate of good standing from its
home jurisidction issued within the last 180 days, as a prerequisite to fling a notice of mechanic's lien. Please feel free to reach out to me directly (See More...
business within the District, will need to provide its current license to do business in its home jurisidction, as well as a certificate of good standing from its
home jurisidction issued within the last 180 days, as a prerequisite to fling a notice of mechanic's lien. Please feel free to reach out to me directly (See More...
May 19, 2020
May 19, 2020
From an Anonymous Contractor
MarylandJoseph KatzLegal Guard Lawyer
Principal Attorney at Katz LawLegal Guard LawyerYou can certainly keep your contract at a 24% interest rate - whether a judge will give that to you pre-judgment or not is a different story. After a judgment is
granted, the interest merges with the judgment and only 10% may be applied moving forward. In general, though, mechanic's lien or bond claims are far
more powerful collection tools than a straight lawsuit, but those proceedings generally do not allow for pre-judgment interest, at least not at a 24% rate.
granted, the interest merges with the judgment and only 10% may be applied moving forward. In general, though, mechanic's lien or bond claims are far
more powerful collection tools than a straight lawsuit, but those proceedings generally do not allow for pre-judgment interest, at least not at a 24% rate.
Webinars by Joseph Katz
Featuring: Joseph Katz | Katz Law
Webinar: Change Orders -- How Subcontractors Can Avoid Risks & Potential For Costly Lawsuits
Sep 24, 2020
Featuring: Joseph Katz | Katz Law
Details
Location
Bethesda, MD and Columbia, MD
Years of Experience
20
Expertise Area
Construction Law
Construction Litigation
Business Contracts
Business Law
Government Contracts
Licenses
Maryland Court of Appeals
United States District Court for the District of Maryland
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
United States Court of Federal Claims