Email

Direct Line: 206-515-2226
Ph: 206-287-9900
Fx: 206-287-9902




Practice Areas:
Construction, Commercial Law and Litigation
Mediation and Arbitration

Licensed In:
Washington
Oregon
Alaska

Practice Description:
Mr. Ahlers’ practice has focused on the resolution of construction disputes since 1983.  His experience spans from small private construction to complex engineering, building, heavy construction and insurance matters.  Mr. Ahlers represents owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers, and construction industry trade associations.  He has handled a large number of jury and non-jury trials, as well as arbitrations and mediations involving a wide variety of construction related disputes.  Mr. Ahlers has argued cases before all three Divisions of the Washington State Court of Appeals, before the Washington Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of the State of Alaska, and before the Federal Circuit, Ninth Circuit and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeal. 

Mr. Ahlers is a founding member of the firm.

Mr. Ahlers is also admitted to practices in the U. S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Tenth Circuit, U.S. District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Washington, U.S. Federal Court of Claims and U. S. Supreme Court.

Mr. Ahlers is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell; was named one of “Washington’s Most Amazing Attorneys” in the field of Construction Law by Washington CEO magazine (2006); Seattle’s Best Lawyers (Construction), Seattle Metropolitan Magazine (2010); and named a “Superlawyer” by Washington Law and Politics (2001 – 2010). Top 100 Attorneys in Wa. (Wa Law and Politics) Puget Sound Business Journal, "Best Lawyers", Construction (2010)

Professional Associations:

• American Arbitration Association (Serves as Arbitrator; Member of Construction Advisory Board)
• Washington State Bar Association (Past Chair, Construction Law Section)
• American Bar Association (Litigation and Construction Section)
• Association of Trial Lawyers’ of America (Construction Law Section)
• American Society of Civil Engineers
• American General Contractors (Past Chair, Legal Affairs Committee)
• Utility Contractors of Washington (Board of Directors) Washington State
• University Lecturer (Legal Aspects of Construction and Engineering)

Publications:

• AIA Contracts in Washington, Key Clauses in AIA Document 201-General Conditions of the Contract for Construction, Contractor’s Perspective vs. Owner’s Perspective (2003 – 2007)
• Construction Changes/Entitlement Theories, The Seminar Group (2003 – 2007)
• Case Law Update, WSBA Construction Law Section (2007)
• Mike M. Johnson, Inc. v. County of Spokane, A Contractor’s Perspective, WSBA Construction Law Section (2004)
• Notice in Washington Construction Contracts: Is Prejudice the Issue,  Washington State Bar Journal (April 1998)
• Numerous Seminars for Industry Groups Such as Associated General Contractors, Utility Contractors of Washington, Association of the Advancement of Cost Engineers and Master Builder’s Association
• Behind the Wheel: Car Rental Insurance Basics for the Construction Contractor UCAW Focus 2010
• Construction Changes/Entitlement Theories, The Seminar Group (2003 – 2010)

Recent Reported Cases:

• Silverstreak, Inc. v. Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries, 159 Wn.2d 868, 154 P.3d 891 (2007)
• Scoccolo Const., Inc. v. City of Renton, 158 Wn.2d 506, 145 P.3d 371 (2006)
• Weber Construction, Inc. v. County of Spokane, 122 Wn. App. 1043 (2004)
• Mike M. Johnson, Inc. v. County of Spokane, 150 Wn.2d 375, 78 P.3d 161 (2003)
• Alcan Electrical & Engineering v. Samaritan Hospital, 109 Wn. App. 1072 (2002)
• Ebasco Constructors, Inc. v. Atena, Inc., 932 P.2d 1312 (1997)

Education:

• B.S. Civil Engineering, Washington State University, 1975
• M.S. Construction Engineering and Management Stanford University, 1976
• J.D. summa cum laude, Gonzaga University, 1982

Honors & Award:
Mr. Ahlers is a recipient of the Associated General Contractors’ Ty Long Award and Utility Contractors Association of Washington Executive Director’s Special Recognition Award for outstanding service to the construction industry.  Mr. Ahlers was appointed by Washington's governor to serve on the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB).

Languages:
Fluent in German