BASSFORD REMELE 2025 ANNUAL CONSTRUCTION LAW SUMMIT

Thursday, February 6, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM-4:30 PM | 3:30-4:30 Happy Hour

Join us for a comprehensive afternoon of insights and strategies tailored specifically for real estate and construction professionals!

11:30–12:00 Registration and Lunch

12:00–1:00 PM

Navigating Emerging Trends: ESOPs, Private Equity, and Financial Innovations
Kyle Willems and John Holper
This session delves into the latest trends reshaping real estate and construction businesses, including transitions to ESOPs, sales to private equity, and engaging in complex financial arrangements for new and ongoing projects. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of the benefits, potential drawbacks, and significant risks associated with these strategies, empowering you to make informed decisions for your business.

1:00–2:00 PM

Legislative and Case Law Update
Janine Loetscher and Laura Ziegler (Associated General Contractors of Minnesota)
This presentation covers key changes to state and federal laws affecting real estate and construction companies, including updates on independent contractor status, Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), infrastructure spending, and the Corporate Transparency Act. Discover what’s already here, what’s coming in 2025, and how these developments could reshape the industry.

Employment and Labor Market Trends: What’s Next for Construction?
Beth LaCanne and Thomas Revnew (Littler Mendelson)
Explore the current labor market dynamics in Minnesota and the surrounding region, and learn how recent decisions and negotiations are shaping workforce strategies in the construction sector. We’ll also discuss anticipated legislative changes from St. Paul and Washington, D.C., and their potential impact on your business in the years ahead.

2:00–3:30 PM

Cybersecurity in Construction: Protecting Your Business from Threats
Bryce Riddle, Thomas Kleinschnitz (First Western Insurance), and Jeff Olejnik (Wipfli)
As cyberattacks increasingly target the construction industry, businesses face significant risks from hackers and ransomware. This session will highlight the tactics used against construction companies, strategies for safeguarding your operations, and risk mitigation steps like investing in cyber insurance. Stay ahead of the curve with expert advice tailored to your industry.

Mastering Client Relations and Getting Paid!
Wynne Reece, Jeffrey Klobucar, and Michael Pfau
In this comprehensive session, we’ll explore the critical aspects of client management and financial security in the construction and real estate industry. Learn how to navigate challenging client interactions, resolve disputes effectively, and implement robust payment protection strategies.
Key topics include:

• Building and maintaining strong client relationships
• Addressing client dissatisfaction with tact and professionalism
• Techniques for handling unique client complaints, such as “upside-down marble” scenarios
• Protecting your payment rights through proactive contract management
• Implementing effective dispute prevention measures
• Strategies for modifying contracts to enhance payment security
  

Join us to gain valuable insights that will help you enhance client satisfaction, protect your payment rights, prevent disputes, and streamline the collection process if payment issues arise. Learn how to safeguard your bottom line and keep your projects on track.

3:30–4:30 PM  Happy Hour

Location:
Oak Ridge Country Club
700 Oak Ridge Rd
Hopkins, MN 55305

No fee to attend | In-Person Only

Continuing Education Credit:

• This course is pending approval by the MN Dept. of Labor and Industry for 3.00 (3 CEUs) of Continuing Education for Residential Contractors and includes the Business Management requirement.
• This course is pending approval for 3.00 CLE credits in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Register here.

Construction and Real Estate Newsletter: Legal Foundations

A publication of the Construction and Real Estate Practice Group (previous editions can be found at the bottom of the Construction Practice Group page.)

Subscribe to Legal Foundations here.

Employment Newsletter: The Work Week with Bassford Remele

Each Monday morning, the Bassford Remele Employment Team publishes and sends an article on a timely topic to your inbox to hopefully assist you in jumpstarting your work week. (Previous articles are at the bottom of the Employment Practice Group page.)

Subscribe to The Work Week here.