Steele B. (“Al”) Windle III
North Carolina

Windle | Terry | Bimbo
3020 W. Arrowood Road
Suite 102
Charlotte, NC 28273
Tel: 704.576.5424
Email:
awindle@wtbconstructionlaw.com
Web:
www.wtbconstructionlaw.com
Al Windle is the Senior Partner of leading construction law boutique Windle | Terry | Bimbo. A respected leader in construction law in North Carolina, Al understands that each phase of a construction project presents challenges, and he brings his substantial experience to every issue, from pre-construction and design to contracts and claims.
Al represents a wide variety of clients comprised of owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. He regularly provides “real time” advice to clients through every stage of a construction project, including:
- Licensing
- Bid preparation, mistakes, and protests
- Preparation of contract documents
- Change order negotiations
- Project correspondence
- Claim preparation
- Defense of claims
- Termination
- Project close-out and final payment
- Final dispute resolution
Additionally, he regularly handles matters for payment and performance bond sureties on all types of commercial construction projects.
Clients find value in Al’s thorough understanding of the construction process, as well as the dispute side of construction law, enabling him to serve as proactive counsel when advising clients on how to prevent or resolve problems, as well as prosecuting and defending disputes involving extra work, delay, acceleration, construction defects and related disputes over insurance coverage. Al has a proven track record that includes the successful arbitration or litigation of numerous construction disputes arising from, among other things, a $57 million condominium project in Florida, a $70 million highway project in North Carolina, a $100 million hospital project in North Carolina, a $20 million military housing project in Utah, a $100 million power plant in North Carolina and a $60 million oil spill remediation project in Florida, Mississippi and Alabama.
Beyond the courtroom, Al is actively involved in the legal community. He frequently writes articles on construction law, construction contracting and lectures on construction law related topics. He is a member of the Construction Law Section of the NC Bar Association where he has served as a director on the Construction Law Section Council (1995-1997, 1988-1990 and 2017-2018) and is also a member of the Construction Forum of the American Bar Association. Al is a certified arbitrator and is on the panel of construction arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association. He has been designated as a Super Lawyer and as a Best Lawyer in America for many years. He is also an invited Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America.
Bidding & Procurement
The first step to a successful project is understanding the bidding process and exercising sound estimating practice. Whether the project involves competitive hard bid, multi-prime, single prime, CM at risk, or negotiated procurement, our construction lawyers understand and can assist clients with the bidding process. Our attorneys offer insight into the particular risks associated with each procurement type and counsel clients on monetizing such risk.
Contract Drafting
The most profitable day on any project is the day the contract is executed. Drafting appropriate terms and conditions to minimize risk is critical before the contract is signed. Our firm has developed form subcontracts and project forms to standardize our clients’ project documents and minimize risk.
Contract Formation
Choosing the right contracting methodology is critical to a project’s success. We assist clients to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative methods available including design build, design-bid-build, construction management, gross maximum price, and lump sum arrangements.
Contract Review and Negotiation
If a client is presented with another party’s contract, we can identify provisions that need to be deleted, clarified or modified. We provide checklists of critical contract terms and counsel clients on effective negotiating strategies.
Contract Performance
Our attorneys counsel clients throughout the performance of a project to insure contract compliance and claims preservation. Whether through periodic phone calls or quarterly meetings with the project teams, our attorneys work with clients to document issues as they arise, negotiate resolution on a real time basis, and assemble persuasive claims to avoid litigation.
Delay, Disruption and Acceleration Claims
Time is money. WTB’s lawyers understand the circumstances that can impact a contractor’s productivity. Delays, disruptions, and acceleration must be recognized by field personnel, documented by project management, and memorialized for claim prosecution. We educate our clients as to identify particular project risks which may lead to these claims. We also work with clients to understand how to give appropriate and timely notice. We also assist clients to quantify the impacts and prosecute the claims.
Licensing Complaints and Compliance
Improper licensure can result in unenforceable contracts and inability to collect project payments. WTB lawyers counsel clients on licensing issues, and represent parties in licensing charges and related administrative proceedings.
Lien Protection and Avoidance
Contractors have the right to secure payment through liens on funds and real property. Our team assists clients with the proper filing, enforcement, and defense of such claims.
OSHA Investigation, Counseling and Representation
Safety is the number one priority on construction projects. Our team educates our clients on how to participate in OSHA site visits, address OSHA complaints and administratively appeal adverse determinations.
Payment and Performance Bond Claims
Subcontractors have the right to secure payment through proper filing and enforcement of payment bond claims. Contractors must undertake the appropriate steps to avoid double payment. Owners can assert rights under performance bonds. Our team assists clients at every tier to understand their rights, properly notify adverse parties, and enforce their claims.
Project Counsel
Through consistent interaction with clients throughout project performance, WTB construction lawyers seek to avoid costly disputes and assist parties with real-time resolution to avoid litigation.
Insurance Coverage and Claims
Insurance is one of the key tools to manage risk. Our construction lawyers help clients understand what is covered and what is not covered under their insurance program.
With two offices throughout the Carolinas, we are committed to assisting construction professionals solve complex legal problems throughout the Southeast. We are passionate advocates and trustworthy advisors ready to effectively and efficiently tackle your legal problems.
Our lawyers have represented owners, architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in matters ranging from contract negotiation to jury trials. Our focus is to zealously represent our clients throughout the legal process while remaining efficient, professional, and cost effective.