Celebrating 50 Years of Building the Best Construction Lawyers

• Pages: 6-8
• Date: 01 October 2025
• Published date: 01 October 2025
• Author: Tracy James
• Subject Matter: Derecho Público y Administrativo

Published in The Construction Lawyer Volume 44, Number 4, ©2025 by the American Bar Association. Reproduced with permission.

All rights reserved. This information or any portion thereof may not be copied or disseminated in any form or by any means or stored in

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Forum on Construction Law The Construction Lawyer Fall 2025

6

Celebrating 50 Years of Building the Best

Construction Lawyers

Tracy James, Chair, ABA Forum on Construction Law

In 1976, a group of visionary construction attorneys came together with a singular idea: to create a space for

collaboration, education, and the advancement of excellence in construction law. Nearly 50 years later, the ABA

Forum on Construction Law has grown into the preeminent organization of its kind, serving thousands of

members across the country and abroad.

This 2025–26 bar year, we celebrate the Forum’s 50th Anniversary—a milestone that not only honors our

history but also sets the stage for our future. I invite each of you to be part of this meaningful journey as we

reflect, recognize, and reenergize our mission to Build the Best Construction Lawyers.

Two Signature Celebrations in 2026

We will mark this golden anniversary with two major events: the Midwinter Meeting, February 4–7, 2026, at

the stunning Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California, and our Annual Meeting, May 6–9, 2026,

in Chicago—the Forum’s birthplace and a city that has played a pivotal role in its growth. Each meeting will

feature special programming that celebrates the Forum’s legacy while charting a course for the next 50 years.

Cosponsored by the American Arbitration Association and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution,

the Midwinter Meeting will center on the evolution and balance of alternative dispute resolution in

construction law—a subject that goes to the heart of our profession’s quest for fair, efficient, and just outcomes.

The conference will not only be intellectually stimulating but also restorative, with experiences like an

aromatherapy bar, sunset art walk, and whale-watching tours adding to the richness of the event.

Our Annual Meeting in May will take us to Chicago, where the Forum began, for a once-in-a-generation

celebration of our 50th anniversary focused on project execution and claims management, lessons learned over

the past 50 years. Expect exceptional programming, opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the

country, and signature events that commemorate the Forum’s rich history and enduring impact. Attendees will

enjoy leadership vignettes featuring reflections and stories from Past Chairs of the Forum, a Hall of Forum

Fame installation honoring key contributors to our history, and the presentation of the prestigious Cornerstone

Award. For the first time ever, we will also present the Industry Pillar Award, recognizing an outstanding

sponsor member who has made a lasting impact on the Forum and the broader construction industry.

At our Annual Meeting, in addition to the traditional Thursday night welcome reception, a ticketed 50th

Anniversary Celebratory Gala will be held Friday evening at Chicago’s iconic Field Museum, providing

a majestic and historic backdrop to celebrate the Forum’s journey and future. In addition, attendees can

participate in a day tour of Wrigley Field, enjoy an architectural river cruise complete with Bloody Marys

and Mimosas, and join the annual Building for Good Race, which supports access to pro bono legal services

for nonprofit organizations in the construction space. Additionally, we are excited to feature a Women’s

Networking Event in partnership with St. John’s, offering a unique opportunity for connection, empowerment,

and celebration of women in the construction law field. This event will blend networking, professional

COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR