Robert E. Lessman
Partner
Bob is a partner in the Chicago office of SmithAmundsen where his practice involves resolution of construction disputes and failed commercial transactions through negotiations, ADR processes or litigation. Bob is a Neutral on the American Arbitration Association’s Commercial Panel.
For 15 years prior to joining SmithAmundsen, Bob was Vice President and General Counsel for a large commercial construction company based in Chicago, Illinois where he negotiated both Owner and Subcontract agreements. He directly participated in the resolution of design, performance and delay disputes at the business level, and managed outside counsel in various construction litigation matters. During this time (1997-2004), Bob was an adjunct professor at Northwestern University teaching Construction Contracts and Dispute Resolution in the Masters of Project Management Program at the Northwestern University School of Engineering.
Bob is admitted to practice in State of Illinois and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He is a past Director of the Chicago Building Congress, the Chair of the Builders Association Legal Advisory Committee, and a founding member of the Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys. Bob was named to the Illinois Super Lawyers* list in 2011 and 2012, a peer review designation published by Law & Politics magazine.
*The selection of attorneys to the Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyer lists does not guarantee a positive client outcome in any specific legal matter or engagement nor constitute a representation by the firm of SmithAmundsen about the caliber of legal work performed by any other attorney not selected as part of these lists.
St. Norbert College, B.A., 1969
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1972
Presenter, "One Stop Shopping for Labor Answers," The Builder's Association, Rosemont, IL, April 20, 2011.
Panelist, "The College of Commercial Arbitrators - Protocols for Expeditious, Cost Effective Commercial Arbitration," DePaul University College of Law Center for Dispute Resolution, Chicago, IL, November 11, 2010.
Presenter, “10 Keys to Reading and Understanding Construction Contracts,” SmithAmundsen client seminar, Chicago, IL, April 8, 2010.
Presenter, "It's the Economy: Cost-Effective Risk Management of Construction Financing and Its Problems," SmithAmundsen client seminar, Chicago, IL, January 19, 2010.
Presenter, “Controlling Your Destiny… A Few Lessons on the Value of a Written Construction Contract and Jobsite Safety Liability,” SmithAmundsen client seminar, August 5, 2008.
Speaker, "Managing the Risk: A Construction Insurance Coverage Symposium," IDC-SOICA, September, 2007.
Member: Chicago Building Congress: Director (2007-Present); Pension Trust Fund Taskforce Subcommittee to the Builders Association’s Labor Committee; Builders Association of Chicago Legal Advisory Counsel: Chair (2004-Present); Associated General Contractors of America; Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys; Illinois Bar Association; and American Bar Association.
Adjunct Professor: Northwestern University Masters of Project Management Program, School of Engineering (1997-2004).
Cook County Circuit Court Certified Mediator for Construction Cases
150 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601
312.894.3339 (telephone)
312.997.1799 (fax)
rlessman@salawus.com
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