01
Construction Liens, Bond Claims & Payment Recovery
Enforcing and defending Michigan Construction Lien Act filings, sworn statements, public-project Little Miller Act payment bond claims (MCL 129.201), and Michigan Builders Trust Fund Act claims.
Legal Protection for Contractors, Builders & Specialty Trades.
Representing Michigan general contractors, HVAC, electrical, civil site-work, and commercial builders on lien enforcement, subcontract risk, fleet isolation, and payment litigation.
Real Assets, Construction & Development ยท Lead Counsel: Brian D. Harrison, Reese Serra (P74482)
Sector FocusConstruction & Specialty Trades
Lead AttorneysBrian D. Harrison & Reese Serra (P74482)
Court VenuesOakland, Macomb, Wayne & Federal Courts
Headquarters125 E. 3rd St, Suite 100, Rochester, MI
What are the strict deadlines under the Michigan Construction Lien Act?
Under the Michigan Construction Lien Act (MCL 570.1109 to 570.1117), subcontractors and suppliers must serve a Notice of Furnishing within 20 days of first providing labor or materials, record a Claim of Lien within 90 days after last furnishing non-warranty work, and file a foreclosure lawsuit within one year of recording.
Core legal architecture for construction & specialty trades.
Structured entity isolation, commercial contract precision, tax alignment, and courtroom enforcement built for owners and executive teams.
Discuss This Mandate →
02
Subcontract & AIA Risk Allocation
Revising pay-if-paid versus pay-when-paid clauses, broad-form indemnity traps, liquidated delay damages, change-order sign-off rules, and commercial insurance endorsements.
03
Fleet, Equipment & Operating Silos
Ring-fencing rolling stock, yellow iron, yard real estate, and operating crews into separate Michigan LLCs with intercompany master equipment leases.
Controlling statutory framework.
Every operating agreement, acquisition, lease, and litigation strategy is anchored to the Michigan and federal authorities governing construction & specialty trades.
Statutory & Regulatory Benchmark 01
Michigan Construction Lien Act (MCL 570.1101 et seq.)
Statutory & Regulatory Benchmark 02
Michigan Builders Trust Fund Act (MCL 570.151 et seq.)
Statutory & Regulatory Benchmark 03
Michigan Public Works Bonding Act (MCL 129.201 et seq.)
Principal counsel & trial readiness.
Your matter is led directly by senior attorneys who combine entrepreneurial ownership experience, CPA tax fluency, and decades of Michigan courtroom advocacy.
Founding Attorney & Managing Member ยท Bar P74482Reese SerraSenior Litigation & Trial CounselBrian D. HarrisonAttorney & Certified Public Accountant (JD / CPA)Matt Wozniak
Field Crew Retention & Employer Tax Savings
Specialty trade and commercial construction employers use Boost Benefits to add zero-copay preventive and telehealth access for W-2 field crews while lowering payroll FICA costs.
Frequently asked questions: Construction & Specialty Trades
Direct answers to the structural, transactional, and litigation questions Michigan owners ask most often.
Does warranty or punch-list repair work extend the 90-day Michigan construction lien deadline?
No. Michigan courts strictly hold that trivial repair or warranty callbacks do not extend the 90-day window from the last date of substantial contract furnishing under MCL 570.1111.
What makes the Michigan Builders Trust Fund Act powerful in commercial collections?
When an owner pays a general contractor for project work and the contractor diverts those funds instead of paying subcontractors or suppliers, individual corporate officers who controlled the funds can face personal civil liability.
How should a growing trade contractor structure fleet trucks and heavy excavators?
Placing titled vehicles and heavy equipment into a dedicated equipment-leasing LLC separates highway accident exposure from bonding capacity and customer receivables.
Can an unlicensed residential builder enforce a collection lawsuit in Michigan?
Under MCL 339.2412, an unlicensed residential builder is generally barred from bringing an action in Michigan courts to collect compensation, making proper LARA entity licensing critical before signing contracts.