Ryan Jezdimir focuses his practice on construction law, advising and representing owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in contract drafting and negotiation, claims strategy, and dispute resolution across all phases of a project. His matters commonly involve extra work and change orders, schedule impacts and delay claims, warranty and performance issues, and disputes regarding design or specification adequacy.
Ryan serves as lead counsel in arbitration and litigation, including jury trials, handling complex commercial disputes involving construction claims, contract interpretation, and allegations of fraud or misrepresentation. His experience includes resolving high-stakes matters through trial, arbitration, and negotiated settlements.
In addition to advocacy work, Ryan is appointed to the American Arbitration Association’s Roster of Arbitrators for construction and commercial matters and frequently serves as an arbitrator and mediator. He is also a frequent speaker and author on construction contracting and claims topics, including change management, indemnification, construction defects, and contract administration under AIA documents, and he served as a liaison to the American Institute of Architects for the 2017 revisions to the A201 and B101 documents.
Ryan has been recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer in Construction Litigation (2019–present) and was previously named a Rising Star (2010–2018). He is a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America and has been recognized as a Top Lawyer in Construction Litigation by dbusiness.
Illustrative Matters
- Defended a prime contractor in arbitration against a subcontractor’s nearly $4 million claim for extra work and labor inefficiencies during the construction of an automotive assembly line; $0 was awarded to the subcontractor.
- Defended a prime contractor in a federal court jury trial against a subcontractor’s $5 million claim arising from the repurposing of an automotive plant for the manufacturing of electric vehicles; the subcontractor recovered $0.
- Obtained a near seven-figure settlement for a developer in claims involving an architect and construction manager arising from the design and construction of a new apartment complex.
- Obtained a nearly $2 million settlement for a contractor on claims involving substantial project delays and owner-caused inefficiencies on a large, multi-year public works project.
- Obtained a multi-million-dollar jury verdict for a builder against a developer and its principal for fraud related to the development of an upscale subdivision.
- Obtained an over $1 million settlement for an owner against an architect related to the deficient construction of a sanitary sewer system.
- Obtained an arbitration award of several hundred thousand dollars, including attorney fees, for a general contractor against an owner involving delays and changed site conditions.
- Obtained an arbitration award of the contract balance plus attorney fees for an earthwork/utilities subcontractor after wrongful termination from a large mixed-use project involving subcontract interpretation and performance issues.
- Obtained a jury verdict awarding the contract balance to a steel contractor; the owner’s alleged deficient-performance damages claims resulted in no award.
- Successfully defended an owner in arbitration against a contractor’s $1 million+ change-order claims (including alleged additional work, EIFS coating, additional equipment, and extended general conditions).
- Defended a general contractor and surety in arbitration against a public entity’s six-figure damages claim relating to alleged deficient construction; no award was entered against the clients.
- Obtained default judgment for a manufacturer against a prospective purchaser based on discovery violations involving deletion and manipulation of electronic evidence.
Speaking Engagements & Publications
- Construction Law Seminar speaker, Making Changes and Resolving Disputes during the Construction Process; Reviewing Bidding Documents; Best Practices for Negotiating Indemnification Provisions; Distinguishing Between Construction Defects & Failures; Contract Law Primer for Engineers; Best Practices for Claim Submissions and Legal Aspects to Consider; Understanding Construction Contract Essentials; Contract Issues on Sustainable Design and Construction Projects; and Managing Construction with AIA Document A201: General Conditions.
- Mason Contractors’ Association speaker, The Contract Change Clause, Types of Changes: Ordered and Constructive
- Detroit Ceramic Tile Contractors Association speaker, Documenting and Perfecting Changes and Claims
- Michigan Mason Contractors’ Association speaker, “Tracking Your Money,” The Contract Change Clause
- Associated General Contractors of Michigan speaker, Documenting and Perfecting Changes and Claims
- Author, The Pay-If-Paid Clause and Chinks in its Armor, Cross-Section Magazine of the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association
- Author, The Pay-If-Paid Clause and Defenses to Its Enforcement, Construction Association of Michigan (CAM) Magazine
- Contributor, Construction Liens in Michigan, Institute of Continuing Legal Education
- Liaison to American Institute of Architects for the 2017 Revisions to the A201 and B101 Documents
Honors & Recognitions
Named a Michigan Super Lawyer in Construction Litigation, Super Lawyers (2019– Present)
Previously recognized as a Rising Star in Michigan, Super Lawyers (2010–2018)
Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America
Recognized as a Top Lawyer in Construction Litigation, dbusiness
Court Admissions & Education
Michigan State Courts
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Wayne State University Law School, J.D., cum laude
Alma College, B.A., Economics and Political Science
