Eric Flessland, Butzel Long Photo

Mr. Flessland is well-known for his experienced and pragmatic advice and is highly rated as one of Michigan’s very best construction lawyers. Mr. Flessland has substantial experience in the construction sector resulting from his representation, over the decades, of the full spectrum of construction professionals: developers, construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers on every type of project: from tunnels, roadways and underground infrastructure to above ground industrial, commercial and residential structures. He provides practical preventative advice on all aspects of a project, from bid to punch list, including contract review and revision, and contractual and insurance coverage claims. Mr. Flessland has also handled dispute resolution matters of all sizes and importance affecting the construction industry. 

Overview

Eric J. Flessland is a Shareholder practicing in Butzel's Detroit office. He received his B.A. with honors from Michigan State University in 1980, and his J.D. (cum laude, 1983) from Wayne State University Law School. Mr. Flessland was named "Lawyer of the Year" for Litigation-Construction (2022) and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Construction Law.

Mr. Flessland's practice focuses primarily upon representing heavy construction contractors and their trade associations in the public and private sectors. He has extensive experience representing construction contractor clients on public and private works projects literally from inception through close out. Mr. Flessland's extensive experience extends to insurance and suretyship issues affecting the construction industry, and has drafted a wide range of contract agreements for project owners, contractors, and subcontractors. His representation of firm clients covers a wide range of public and private matters including enforcement of competitive bidding procedures on local- and state-funded public works projects; project level claims analysis, claim preservation and avoidance counseling; complex construction claims litigation; and contract dispute resolution. Mr. Flessland provides legal and legislative consultation on issues affecting the heavy civil construction industry.

Mr. Flessland is a regular lecturer to various contractors associations, and frequently publishes articles in the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association's trade magazine, Cross Section. Mr. Flessland is a member of the American Bar Association's Forum Committee on the Construction Industry, the State Bar of Michigan's Subcommittee on Construction Liens and Bonds, and a panelist to the American Arbitration Association's National Panel of Construction Arbitrators, and to the AAA's Large, Complex Case Program. He has tried matters in U.S. District Courts in Indiana, Texas, and Michigan; appeared in the Michigan and Indiana Court of Appeals; Michigan Circuit Courts throughout the State; and state trial courts in Indiana and Ohio. Mr. Flessland has experience in arbitrating and mediating construction disputes. Prior to entering private practice in 1984, he was a research clerk to the Michigan Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions, and served as a Research Attorney to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Credentials

Education

Michigan State University 1980, B.A.

Wayne State University Law School 1983, J.D.

Admissions

Memberships

  • American Bar Association - Forum Committee on the Construction Industry
  • State Bar of Michigan - Subcommittee on Construction Liens and Bonds
  • American Arbitration Association - Panelist - National Panel of Construction Arbitrators Panelist, Large, Complex Case Program

Awards & Recognitions

Awards & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America® - Lawyer of the Year, Litigation - Construction, 2022

The Best Lawyers in America® - Construction Law; Litigation - Construction, 2011-2025

DBusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Construction Law; Litigation - Construction, 2011-2025

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated, 1994-2012

Michigan Super Lawyers, Construction Litigation, 2022-2024

Experience

  • Represented LG Chem in the acquisition of land, obtaining various government grants and tax incentives and the drafting and negotiating of the construction contract for a $303 million advanced lithium ion battery manufacturing facility.
  • Representing MITA as a constituent member of the Michigan Damage Prevention Board, in the ongoing re-write of Michigan's underground utility locating act, commonly known as the MISS DIG Act

News & Events

News

Alerts & Publications

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