Willis A&E has developed a series of on-demand risk management education programs that are available exclusively to our Willis A&E clients. Whether you use these programs for on-boarding new employees who join your firm, to assist in project manager development training and/or as an efficient and cost effective way for your staff to earn continuing education credits, these Willis A&E on-demand education programs can be a valuable tool for your firm.
- Each program comes with a short quiz and is eligible for 1.5 CE/PDH credits
- These programs are available to our Willis A&E clients at no cost.
Submit your request to access a Willis A&E on-demand education program Willisae@Willis.com
Willis A&E On-Demand Education Programs:
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01
Deal Makers and Deal Breakers
Special Guest: David Erickson with the law firm of Severson & Werson
This is a great program for anyone that negotiates contracts, is responsible for new business development – and/or interested in learning the critical issues every design firm must consider when it comes to negotiating fair and insurable agreements with their clients. This program includes an interactive discussion on contractual “deal makers” and “deal breakers” and certain “red-flag” words and phrases from both a legal and coverage perspective. We provide specific negotiation tips on how to come to a win-win solution of a balanced, fair – and insurable agreement with your Clients.
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02
CYA with CA
Special Guest: Doug Palandech with the law firm of Foran Glennon
This popular program will review the pitfalls and opportunities design firms face when it comes to construction administration. Effective documentation is key to effective CA as well as a firm grasp of the standard of care. This program will review important lessons all staff members that have any CA responsibilities should understand to mitigate their risk. We have an interactive discussion on critical issues and risk management advice on a wide range of CA issues including site visits duties and inherent risks, addressing non-compliant work, reduction and elimination of your role, rejection of work, scope creep, handling requests to terminate contractors as well reduced or terminated site visit responsibilities.
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03
Documentation and Communication
Special Guest: Doug Palandech with the law firm of Foran Glennon
Most claims against A&E firms are rooted in poor communications and documentation practices. Join us for an interactive discussion around this critical topic and often neglected area of risk management within the Design practice: effective communication and documentation. We review the challenges and specific exposures associated with poor communication and documentation within the design and construction practice. This program will offer practical measures your firm can take to establish and manage expectations – and implement effective documentations practices to reduce your risk to costly claims and client disputes.
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04
Lessons in Liability
Special Guest: Jeff Coleman with The Coleman Law Firm
This is an excellent primer for all levels of staff for any design firm as it reviews critical issues associated with the standard of care, communications, documentation, construction administration and managing client expectations. We identify current claim trends and practical measures firms can take to reduce their exposures. Discuss types of damages by category of project type and discipline. Provide an analysis of non-technical contributors to risk exposure for designers – including contracts, client selection, and team capabilities. This program also includes an in depth review of the standard of care, effective documentation practices (including what not to put in an email!) and the role of the design professional in construction administration.
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05
Managing COVID-19 A&E Risk
Special Guest: David Erickson with the law firm of Severson & Werson
As we enter the various “reopening” scenarios and the evolving “new normal,” design and construction professionals must find adaptive strategies to stay current in all phases of the design and construction process and service to clients and others. In that spirit of lessons learned and moving forward, this program will establish the foundational issues for strategic solutions and then provide guidance for five distinct phases of the design and construction process: design, coordination, permitting, construction administration, and project closeout.
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06
Managing Design-Build Risk
Special Guest: David Hatem with the law firm of Donovan Hatem
David Hatem will present on demand for another in depth discussion on managing evolving Design Build risk. David will review a claim scenario where the Constructor on a design-bid-build project asserts claims against the project owner for substantial additional costs and delays allegedly due to (a) design errors and omissions and (b) owner failure to pay for contract and extra work, and interference with the Constructors performance of the Work. From this claim scenario a number of important issues will be reviewed that impact not only resolution of the Constructor's claims against the Owner, but also the health and future of the Design Professionals' relationship with the Owner. The key to maintenance (and growth) of success in that relationship often depends upon how the Owner and Design Professional interact with each other in the resolution of those Constructor claims.
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07
Project Evaluation: Go, No-Go?
Special Guest: Andy Mendelson, FAIA, Chief Risk Management Officer for Berkley DP
Every firm must ultimately decide if a prospective project is a “go” or a “no-go” and if they should commit valuable time and resources. Dan Buelow, Managing Director of Willis A&E and Andy Mendelson, FAIA, Chief Risk Management Officer for Berkley DP, present an interactive discussion around critical “Go No-Go” considerations your firm should include when assessing a new client relationship and business opportunity. This program addresses a wide range of risk management topics and issues to consider when evaluating prospective projects; project team capabilities; financials, contracts; and client relationships.
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08
Cyber risks facing the design and construction industry
Cyber claims involving design firms are on the rise. While Willis A&E recommends a stand-alone cyber policy for all design firms to properly insure this risk, a firm’s first line of defense in mitigating this evolving risk are robust IT practices. We are joined by some cybersecurity experts in digital forensics and cyber claims management for a discussion on the cyber risks facing the design and construction practice. We will deconstruct a ransomware attack to better understand the mitigation defense mechanisms being used by organizations. We would recommend this program to anyone responsible for managing a design firm’s risk – in addition to anyone responsible for managing IT for your firm.
