Long goes extra mile with construction law

Listen to this article

Kevin Long started college as an undergraduate pursuing a degree in civil engineering.

But well before he had his diploma, he was leaning toward following his father into the legal profession. The practice in construction law he has since built draws on both his knowledge of the technical side of projects, as well as his love for clear communication and understanding of the law.

Now a co-managing partner of Quarles & Brady’s Milwaukee office, Long said it helps to be a lawyer who has a pretty good idea of how engineers and project managers think.

“Sometimes they are uncomfortable with ambiguity. They’re used to see things as there’s black and white and nothing in between,” he said. “In the legal profession, we see a lot of life in the in between, and helping people work through ambiguous problems and get to a resolution is a big part of our jobs.”

Long graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1992 and joined Quarles & Brady not long afterward. His years of construction practice have made him an expert in everything from liens to payment disputes and defect claims. His cases have involved everything from delay-damage claims and debarment to suspension claims, payment disputes and jobsite injuries. Long has also worked on matters concerning post-acquisition litigation and warranties and other disputes under the Uniform Commercial Code.

His colleague, Katrene Zelenovskiy, concurred that Long’s engineering background is a great asset for a construction lawyer.

“As an MBA with a civil engineering background, Kevin approaches his practice with precision and discipline, evaluating legal matters by developing a thorough understanding of the client’s business, providing an honest assessment of the litigation options, the potential fees involved, the possible outcomes, and the cost-benefit analyses needed to make responsible decision,” she said.

Beyond Quarles & Brady, Long prides himself on the work he has done with various nonprofit groups, including the non-profit Greater Milwaukee Committee and the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Governance Board. His greatest joy in being a construction lawyer, he said, is in knowing that he is helping to build something.

“The people I work with, they are creators and they are problem solvers,” Long said. “And they are looking to create a better world.”