Private virtual arbitrator for construction and commercial disputes. Fast-track rulings for payment conflicts, delay claims, liens, and change-order disputes.
This service is for owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and commercial businesses that need a neutral decision-maker with Washington, DC as the legal seat of arbitration.
Construction & infrastructure disputes commonly arbitrated include:
Commercial and business disputes include:
Arbitration Formats Offered:
Next Step:
Text/SMS your case details including:
• Case Type • Relief Sought • Amount in Dispute • Parties • Deadlines
to the number below.
Emergency/expedited scheduling depends on conflict checks and availability.
Hearings are held virtually by Zoom. Washington, DC serves as the legal seat unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.
After a decision is issued, parties typically implement the Award on the project, exchange any required releases or close-out documents, and, if necessary, seek court confirmation in the jurisdiction where assets or projects are located.
You can begin immediately by sending a text/SMS with key facts about your dispute. Keep it factual and concise. Do not send privileged strategy or lengthy briefs by text.
Include in your text:
We handle only:
Sending a text begins intake and conflict check only. No attorney–client relationship is formed until confirmed in writing.
In the Matter of the Arbitration Between
Owner A, LLC (“Owner”) – Claimant
Contractor B, Inc. (“Contractor”) – Respondent
I. Introduction
1. This redacted sample reflects a construction payment dispute arising from a commercial build-out project in Washington, DC. The parties agreed in writing to submit their dispute to emergency, final-offer arbitration before a single neutral arbitrator, with a written decision to be issued within 72 hours.
2. The contract value was approximately $2.4 million. At the time of the dispute, Contractor claimed $312,500 in unpaid progress payments and approved change orders. Owner asserted delay and completion offsets and contended that only $95,000 was due.
II. Jurisdiction and Agreement to Arbitrate
3. The parties’ written agreement requires “binding arbitration seated in Washington, DC before a single neutral arbitrator” for any dispute arising out of the project. The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., applies.
4. Consistent with the strong federal policy favoring arbitration, any doubts concerning the scope of arbitrable issues are resolved in favor of arbitration. Moses H. Cone Memorial Hosp. v. Mercury Constr. Corp., 460 U.S. 1, 24–25 (1983). The parties expressly confirmed that they wished to use an emergency, final-offer format for speed and certainty.
5. Within the scope of the parties’ written submissions and procedural order, the arbitrator is empowered to decide all issues presented and no others.
III. Procedural History
6. On Day 1, the parties submitted the executed contract, approved change orders, competing payment applications, limited email correspondence, and their respective written final offers:
7. On Day 2, the arbitrator conducted a focused 3-hour Zoom hearing (half-day format). Each side presented one fact witness and a short closing. The record closed at the end of the hearing.
IV. Issues
8. The core issues are:
V. Findings (Summary)
9. The project reached substantial completion and Owner took beneficial use of the premises.
10. The disputed change-order work (additional electrical, fire-alarm revisions, and ceiling modifications) was directed by Owner’s representatives in writing and priced according to the contract’s change-order provision.
11. Owner did not issue timely written rejection of these change orders and continued to direct Contractor to perform the work.
12. Owner’s claimed delay damages of approximately $180,000 were not supported by critical-path analysis or timely notice as required by the contract; the documentary record supported only minor punch-list issues subsequently corrected.
VI. Analysis
13. Under the contract, properly authorized and performed change orders are payable unless timely rejected in writing. The evidence demonstrates that Contractor performed additional work at Owner’s direction and invoiced that work in accordance with the agreed unit prices.
14. Owner bears the burden of proving delay and back-charges. On this emergency record, Owner has not met that burden; the notice and documentation required by the contract were not provided.
15. The parties specifically chose final-offer arbitration to obtain a fast, decisive ruling. Under the agreed procedure, the arbitrator must adopt the final offer that most closely reflects the outcome required by the contract and the evidence. The FAA requires that such arbitration procedures be enforced according to their terms. See AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, 563 U.S. 333, 344–52 (2011).
16. The parties also accepted that judicial review of this Award, if sought, would be narrow and deferential, consistent with Hall Street Associates, L.L.C. v. Mattel, Inc., 552 U.S. 576, 586–90 (2008) (FAA grounds for vacatur are exclusive).
17. Considering the contract language, documents, and testimony, the arbitrator concludes that Contractor’s final offer of $255,000 is materially closer to the contractually correct outcome than Owner’s competing offer of $110,000.
VII. Award (Redacted)
18. The arbitrator, having been duly appointed and having considered the submissions and evidence, issues the following FINAL AWARD:
19. This Award is final and binding and may be confirmed in any court of competent jurisdiction under the Federal Arbitration Act and applicable District of Columbia law.
This sample is for illustration only and does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of outcome. Every case is decided on its own facts, contract language, and evidence.