Zachary S. Davis

Zachary Davis helps clients navigate the development and construction process, from negotiating complex design and construction agreements to resolving disputes through both informal and formal dispute resolution processes. Zachary has experience representing clients in arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution forums – both domestic and abroad – and in federal and state courts. He represents clients across various industries, including construction, real estate, technology, hospitality, energy, healthcare, financial services, and insurance. Zachary's role in the firm's Construction and Design practice group is marked by his proficiency in drafting and negotiating project agreements and resolving disputes through a business oriented, goal-minded approach.

Education

Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 2004, cum laude; Special Projects Editor, Villanova Environmental Law Journal

University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., Political Science, 2001

Admissions

Oregon

Pennsylvania

• Represented high-tech company in international manufacturing plant expansion projects including delay, productivity, and defect claims arising from facility construction and in preparing and negotiating contract forms on projects throughout the world.
• Represented steel supplier in disputes with project owner over alleged delays and defects.
• Represented national developer in contract negotiations for numerous multifamily residential projects throughout the United States.
• Represented university in numerous projects, including preparing and negotiating contract forms and resolving dispute with design team on building renovation project.
• Represented real estate developer in bringing claims against design and construction teams concerning structural issues following multi-storied building renovation.
• Represented luxury residential contractors in various matters, including contract negotiation and dispute avoidance and resolution.
• Worked as part of a team of attorneys to obtain a substantial monetary settlement on behalf of a client in a federal civil rights action brought against local officials that conspired to prevent the client from developing its property as permitted under local zoning and land development ordinances.
• Conducted key depositions on behalf of a land developer that led to the discovery of evidence that enabled the client to obtain relief from an appellate court in connection with its request to have its land development application considered under a prior zoning ordinance which permitted the client’s proposed development.
• Negotiated a settlement on behalf of an architect following litigation stemming from the dissolution of the architecture firm he founded.
• Obtained summary judgment dismissal on behalf of an independent insurance adjuster in a bad faith action brought by a policyholder in connection with the policyholder’s claim for benefits following a fire that damaged the policyholder’s property.

Insights & Presentations

• Regular contributor to Stoel Rives Ahead of Schedule blog
• “Limitation of Liability Clauses in Business Contracts: Limiting Potential Damages and Avoiding Pitfalls,” Strafford CLE webinar, April 2024
• “Strategies for Getting Difficult Construction Contracts to the Finish Line,” Daily Journal of Commerce, February 2024
• “Design-Build Construction Services,” 28^th Annual Oregon Construction Law Seminar, the Seminar Group, September 2023
• “Supply Chain Problems? We Have Solutions,” Construction Project Scheduling and Delay Claims Seminar, the Seminar Group, May 2023
• “What Parties Ought To Consider When Considering Arbitration Provisions,” Daily Journal of Commerce, April 2023
• “Limitation of Liability Clauses in Business Contracts: Limiting Potential Damages and Avoiding Pitfalls,” Strafford CLE webinar, January 2023
• “Looking Back—and Forward—After Two Years of a Pandemic,” Daily Journal of Commerce, April 2022
• “Law of Engineering Malpractice,” Managing Engineering Liability and Risk in Oregon, HalfMoon Education webinar, February 2022
• "Revising Master Service Agreements,” Strafford CLE webinar, April 2021
• “Pandemic Creates Cause to Rethink Overlooked Contract Provisions,” Daily Journal of Commerce, April 2021
• “Can (or Should) my Project Continue During the Shutdown?” Daily Journal of Commerce, April 2020
• “The E-Paper Chase,” 24th Annual Oregon Construction Law, The Seminar Group, September 2019
• “Five Reasons to Get the Contract Signed Before Construction Starts,” Daily Journal of Commerce, April 2019
• “Reimagining the Dispute Resolution Provision in Construction and Design Contracts,” Daily Journal of Commerce, December 2018
• “The Automation Revolution,” Construction Today, May 2018
• “Oregon Supreme Court Rules That the Practice of Architecture Includes Development of Master Plans,” Stoel Rives Ahead of Schedule blog, October 2017
• “Important Lessons from Record-Setting Settlement in Building Collapse Case,” Stoel Rives Ahead of Schedule blog, May 2017
• “Buyer Beware: Oregon Courts Will Enforce Anti-Assignment Provisions in Insurance Policies,” Daily Journal of Commerce, April 2017
• “On Guard: A Look at Subcontractor Default Insurance,” Daily Journal of Commerce, August 2016

• Member of practice group nationally ranked in Best Law Firms^®, 2010–2023
• Member, Hearing Committee, Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 2010-2015
• Listed among Rising Stars (Business Litigation), Super Lawyers^®, 2008, 2012, 2014-2019

Professional

• Steering Committee, Associated General Contractors Professional and Industry Associates Council
• Hearing Committee, Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Former Member