When your Wisconsin-based interests are at stake.

Steven J. Slawinski
Steven J. Slawinski
O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing S.C.
111 E. Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 1400
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Phone: 414.276.5000
Fax: 414.276.6581

E-mail Steven J. Slawinski

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Steve represents his clients in construction, business, and real estate litigation. His practice emphasizes the areas of construction law and litigation—representing general contractors, subcontractors, owners, and design professionals in construction disputes, including arbitration and litigation.

Steve Assists Clients With

  • Construction Litigation and Arbitration
  • Construction Contract Dispute Resolution
  • Commercial and Business Litigation
  • Real Estate Litigation
  • Construction Lien Law
  • Construction Bond Claims
  • Commercial Creditors’ Rights
  • Insurance Coverage Disputes

Examples of Steve’s Recent Client Work

  • Recovered a $1.2 million award, representing full recovery of all damages claimed plus interest, for an eight unit condominium association in a jury trial for engineering malpractice against an architect/engineer
  • Successfully defended a lender’s lawsuit against a title company seeking over $20 million in damages arising from the failure of a high-rise condominium development
  • Successfully represented a contractor in a multi-million dollar arbitration with one of its subcontractors in a contract dispute arising from the Miller Park Stadium construction project
  • Defended a contractor in a lawsuit filed by a subcontractor arising from the largest construction project in Wisconsin history, resulting in a favorable settlement
  • Lobbied the Wisconsin Legislature on behalf of a client resulting in the adoption of a favorable amendment to recent revisions to Wisconsin’s construction lien law
  • Prevailed in a direct action by a title insurance company against a title agent’s errors and omissions insurer, resulting in a favorable insurance coverage ruling and a substantial recovery for the client
  • Defended a contractor in an asbestos wrongful death case, resulting in the pretrial dismissal of all claims against it
  • Successfully defended an engineer in a lawsuit by the purchaser of a contaminated property alleging malpractice in connection with a Phase I environmental study
  • Defended the developer of a residential subdivision in a jury trial against a home purchaser’s lawsuit, resulting in a jury verdict for the developer
  • Defended a builder in a lawsuit alleging construction defects, resulting in a jury verdict for the builder
  • Defended a contractor in a construction accident personal injury lawsuit arising from the collapse of the structure during construction, resulting in the pretrial dismissal of all claims against it
  • Defended a contractor against a city’s delay claim for over $350,000 in liquidated damages, resulting in the summary dismissal of the city’s claim as an unenforceable penalty
  • Defended an electronic component manufacturer against a product manufacturer’s lawsuit alleging product defects and breach of warranty, resulting in a favorable settlement for the manufacturer

Awards/Distinctions

  • Named one of “Wisconsin’s Top Construction Attorneys” by The Wisconsin Law Journal/Daily Reporter, December 2006 issue
  • Selected as a 2009 and 2010 Wisconsin Super Lawyer, Law & Politics and Milwaukee Magazine

Presentations/Publications

  • “The ‘Litigation Hold’—Avoiding Spoliation of Electronic Evidence”, O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing S.C., March 28, 2012
  • “Risk Management from an Attorney’s Perspective”, American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin, April 13, 2011
  • “Subcontract Terms: A Virtual Minefield—Indemnification and Insurance”, American Subcontractors Association of Wisconsin, March 22, 2011
  • “Wisconsin’s New Indoor Smoking Ban and the Construction Job Site”, Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin, June 2, 2010
  • “Risk Management from an Attorney’s Perspective”, American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin, April 14, 2010
  • “Risk Management from an Attorney’s Perspective”, American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin, December 4, 2008
  • “Construction Lien Law”, Lorman Education Services, January 23, 2008
  • “Consensus DOCS 750 Agreement Between Contractor and Subcontractor”, American Subcontractors Association of Wisconsin, November 27, 2007
  • Author, “New Amendment Makes Important Changes to Lien Law”, Merit Shop Talk, October 2006 issue
  • “Resolving Problems and Disputes on Construction Projects”, National Business Institute, September 14-15, 2006
  • “Are You Prepared for Wisconsin’s New ‘Right to Repair’ Law?”, Metropolitan Builders Association, August 15, 2006
  • “Wisconsin’s Newly Amended Construction Lien Law”, American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin, May 24, 2006
  • “Using a Mechanics’ Lien to Get Your Money”, National Business Institute, May 22, 2006
  • “Construction Contracting and Lien Enforcement in Wisconsin: Building a Foundation for Payment”, National Business Institute, February 24, 2006
  • “Construction Lien Law in Wisconsin”, Lorman Education Services, January 25, 2006
  • “Averting Chaos on the Jobsite”, National Business Institute, January 20, 2006
  • “5th Annual Construction Payment Remedies in Wisconsin”, National Business Institute, November 29, 2005
  • “Your Rights and Remedies Under Wisconsin’s Construction Lien Law”, Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee, November 3, 2005
  • “Mechanics’ Lien Law and Strategies in Wisconsin”, National Business Institute, May 17, 2005
  • “The Nuts and Bolts of Wisconsin’s Construction Lien Law”, A.N. Ansay & Associates, Inc., March 1, 2005
  • “Contracting in an Environment of Rising Construction Costs”, Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee, February 17, 2005
  • “Construction Contract Strategies and Construction Lien Law”, A.N. Ansay & Associates, Inc., November 17, 2004
  • “Construction Dispute Resolution: Mediation, Arbitration and Litigation”, The Builders Edge, May 14, 2004
  • “The Nuts and Bolts of Wisconsin’s Construction Lien Law”, Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin, January 27, 1996
  • “Public and Private Bonded Construction Projects”, Lorman Education Services, November 12, 2003
  • “Construction Lien Law and Strategies in Wisconsin”, National Business Institute, January 31, 2002
  • “Construction Lien Law & Strategies in Wisconsin”, National Business Institute, June 30, 1999
  • “How to Solve Your Disputes—Pros and Cons”, O’Neil, Cannon & Hollman, S.C., April 27, 1999
  • “Construction Payment Remedies in Wisconsin”, National Business Institute, November 20, 1998
  • “Mechanics’ Lien Law and Strategies in Wisconsin”, National Business Institute, October 31, 1997
  • “Recent Developments in Wisconsin Construction Lien Law”, Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, March 15, 1995
  • “Wisconsin Construction Lien Law: A Refresher Course”, O’Neil, Cannon & Hollman, S.C., December 1, 1994
  • Author, “Contractors Can Be Liable For Excavating Or Grading Contaminated Soil”, The Western Builder, February 18, 1993 issue
  • “Construction Liens and Construction Bonds Under Wisconsin Law”, The Cambridge Institute, November 15, 1991

Community Service

  • State Bar of Wisconsin Construction Lien Law Committee
  • American Subcontractors Association Government Relations Committee
  • American Counsel of Engineering Companies Government Affairs Committee
  • Volunteer Attorney–Milwaukee Justice Center

Professional Associations and Affiliations

  • Member, State Bar of Wisconsin (Litigation and Construction/Public Contracts sections)
  • Member of American Bar Association (Litigation section and Forum on the Construction Industry)
  • Associate Member of:
    • Associated General Contractors (AGC)
    • American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
    • Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
    • American Subcontractors Association (ASA)