Allison Snyder

Extensive experience for over 35 years chairing numerous arbitration panels and as sole arbitrator in commercial and construction disputes and complex business litigation matters.

Experience

Over 35 years’ experience as construction attorney specializing in construction and commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation, construction contract negotiation and drafting and the resolution of various construction claims/works-outs. Handles complex multi-party disputes between contractors, sureties, owners, design professionals, construction managers, subcontractors, and suppliers involved in public and private projects regarding disputes on commercial, industrial, energy and EPC projects. Handles disputes relating to delay claims, disruption, inefficiency and acceleration claims, differing site conditions, design and construction defect claims, change order claims, bond & lien claims, terminations for default and for convenience, surety performance and payment bond disputes and financial workouts. Ms. Snyder’s experience includes design and construction disputes involving large public and private commercial, industrial, energy and infrastructure projects, on and offshore oil and gas pipelines and production facilities, petrochemical plants, oil and gas drilling rigs, EPC projects, maritime projects, power plants, water and wastewater treatment facilities, petrochemical refineries, wind energy transmission projects, compressor and turbine failures, cogeneration facilities, vessel failures, high rise office towers, hospitals, schools, prisons, heavy highway, toll roads, marine projects, marine bridges, marine bulkhead failures, underground utilities, large civil projects, site work and paving, railways and numerous other energy and infrastructure projects. Extensive experience in: arbitration and mediation of complex construction and commercial cases; construction delay, acceleration and inefficiency claims; construction defect litigation; disputes regarding construction bond and lien claims and mineral interest liens; differing site conditions claims; payment and performance claims; change order and warranty claims; wrongful termination claims; surety takeover and tender disputes; insurance and indemnity issues; design defect disputes; contractor default workouts; and claims for extras. Has handled disputes ranging in value from $50,000 to $250,000,000.

Work History

Partner, Porter Hedges LLP, 2001-present; Shareholder/Associate, Greenberg Peden P.C., 1982-2001; Associate, Marian S. Rosen & Associates, 1979-82.

Training

JAMS, ADR Trends 2021 & Increasing Selection of Diverse Neutrals, 2021; AAA, ACE 20, Cyber Security: A Shared Responsibility; AAA ACE 19 Case Finances: What Arbitrators Need to Know, 2019 AAA/ICDR/AAA Mediation.org Panel Conference, 2019; College of Commercial Arbitrators (CCA) Conference, 2019; ABA/ADR Conference, 2018; AAA Construction Conference, 2018; CCA Conference, 2018; AAA ACE 13 - Dealing with Difficult Attorneys in Arbitration, 2017; CCA Conference, 2017; HBA-ADR Section Annual Conference on ADR, 2017; ABA/ADR Conference, 2017; Associates of Attorney-Mediators’ Advanced Attorney-Mediator Training: The Good, the Bad & The Ugly, 2017; Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2017; ADR Global Pound Conference, 2017; AAA When Experts Come From Different Planets: Tips for Maximizing the Value of Experts, 2017; The Annual Conference on ADR, 2017; AAA ACE 12 – eDiscovery Arbitration in a Digital World, 2016; AAA Clarity in Award Writing, 2016; ABA/ADR Conference, 2016; AAA Imposing Sanctions in Arbitration: Just How Far Can You Go?, 2015; AAA ACE 9 - Conducting Research and Investigations – The Arbitrator’s Authority, 2015; AAA Getting it Right: Secrets to Writing Better Construction Awards 2015; HBA-ADR Section Annual Conference on ADR, 2015; AAA, The Extent or Limit of Mediator Influence to Effect Settlement 2015; Faculty, AAA Explaining Complexity—How to Improve Your Presentation of Technical Information in Arbitration 2015; AAA It’s Not Just ’Litigation Lite’-Making Rulings on Evidentiary Objections 2015; CCA Conference, 2015; The Forum on Construction Law Construction ADR Summit, 2015; AAA Faculty Managing a Successful Arbitration, 2014; CCA Conference, 2014; HBA-ADR Section Annual Conference on ADR, 2014; CCA Conference, 2013; HBA-ADR Section Annual ADR Conference; 2013; AAA/ICDR Neutrals Conference, 2012; CCA Conference, 2012; AAA Regaining Speed and Economy in Dispute Resolution, 2011; Annual Conference on ADR, 2011; AAA Faculty, ADR Strategies That Save Time and Money, 2010; AAA/ICDR Neutrals Conference, 2010; AAA/ICDR ADR Strategies that Maximize Corporate Value, 2010; AAA ACE 2 – Pro Se: Managing Cases Involving Self-Represented Parties, 2009; AAA/ICDR Neutrals Conference, 2009; AAA Webinar, Construction ADR Practitioners: Crucial Preparation for the New Industry Standard-Form Contract Documents, 2008; AAA Dealing With Delay Tactics in Arbitration (ACE004), 2007; Institute of Transnational Arbitration Workshop, 2007; AAA ACE 5 – Chairing an Arbitration Panel: Managing Procedures, Process & Dynamics, 2006; University of Houston Law Center, A.A. White Dispute Resolution Center, International Commercial Arbitration, 2006; Specialized Course in International Commercial Arbitration, 2006; AAA ACE 1 – Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards, 2005; AAA How to Run a Smooth & Effective Arbitration Hearing, 2003; Discovery Disputes in Arbitration Proceedings, 2004; Annual ADR Conference, 2003; AAA Construction Industry Arbitrator II Training: Advanced Case Management Issues, 2001; Houston Bar Association ADR Section, The Use of Power in Negotiation and Mediation: The Alpha One Syndrome...and Beyond, 1999; Annual ADR Update, 1999; AAA Arbitration Law Course/State Bar of Texas, 1998; AAA Construction Industry Arbitrator Training, 1996; Attorney-Mediators Institute, Advanced Mediation Skills Program, 1996; AAA Advanced Arbitrator Training, 1996; Advanced Peer Mediation Training, 1993; Attorney-Mediators Institute, Advanced Mediator Training, 1992; AAA Arbitrator Training, 1991; Attorney-Mediators Institute, Basic Mediator Training, 1990.

License(s)

Admitted to the Bar: Texas, 1979; U. S. District Court: Southern (1985), Northern (1990), Western (1990) and Eastern (1994). Districts of Texas: U. S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1991.

Education

University of Texas at Austin (BA - 1975); University of Houston (JD - 1979).

Publications

Speaker, 2019 AAA/ICDR/AAA Mediation.Org Panel Conference, “The Arbitration Award: Delivering a Quality Decision”, March 2019; Panel Speaker, Annual State Bar of Texas Construction Law Conference, “Termination!! Will It Really Get You What You Want? (Maybe We’d Better Talk First)”, Feb, 2019; Author, The 2017 Changes to the AIA A201 and Implementation of the New Insurance Exhibit: One Year Later, The Texas Construction Law Journal, Aug, 2018; Speaker, Texas Bar 16th Annual Collections Creditors’ Rights Course, Mechanic’s & Materialmen’s Liens in Texas, May, 2018; Faculty Member, American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law, 2018 Trial Academy, Feb, 2018; Speaker, College of Commercial Arbitrators 17th Annual Meeting, “Advocacy in Arbitration, Managing the Process”, Oct, 2017; Veritas Advisory Group, Panel Speaker, “Benefits of Females as Lead Counsel”, May, 2017; Panel Speaker, Annual State Bar of Texas Construction Law Conference, “Arbitration: What Works and What Doesn’t Work”, March, 2017; Speaker, Texas Bar 14th Annual Collections Creditors’ Rights Course, Mechanic’s & Materialmen’s Liens in Texas, May, 2016; University of Houston, AA White Dispute Resolution Institute Faculty Speaker, “Construction Mediation”, April, 2016; Speaker, College of Commercial Arbitrators, “Secrets of Success – Arbitration Pre-Hearing and Hearing Best Practices”, March 2016; Speaker, College of Commercial Arbitrators 15th Annual Meeting, “Plenary Session: Challenges in Arbitration - - Ask & Answer”, October 2015; Panel Speaker, American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law, “Drafting an Arbitration Clause that Works”, October 2015; Author, Drafting Arbitration Clauses In Construction Contracts To Get The Arbitration You Want, The Texas Construction Law Journal, Spring, 2015; Speaker, American Arbitration Association Webinar, “Explaining Complexity – How to Improve Your Presentation of Technical Information in Arbitration”, February 2015; Speaker, Oklahoma Bar Association Seminar, “Effective Advocacy and Management in Arbitration” and “Getting the Arbitration Process Parties Want and Need”, September, 2014; University of Houston, AA White Dispute Resolution Institute Faculty Speaker, “Construction Mediation”, March, 2014; AAA/CCA Faculty Speaker, “Managing a Successful Arbitration”, March, 2014; Annual State Bar of Texas Construction Law Conference Speaker, “Spoliation of Evidence In Construction Cases”, Feb, 2014; Lorman Seminar Speaker, “Construction Lien Law in Texas”, Jan, 2014; Author, Build Houston, “Spoliation on Construction Projects: What Is It and How It Can Hurt You”, Jan, 2014; Associated Builders and Contractors Legal Seminar Speaker, “Construction Lien Law in Texas”, Dec, 2013; Annual State Bar of Texas Basic Course in Texas Construction Law Speaker, “You’re Fired! Termination for Default”, Nov, 2013; Houston Contractor’s Association, Ask a Lawyer Panel Discussion on Construction Issues, July, 2013; Harris County Democratic Lawyers Association, Speaker, “How Will Your Company be Affected by Recent Changes in Texas Construction Law?”, July, 2013; Author, White Paper, “The 2013 Texas Legislative Changes Affecting the Construction Industry”; July, 2013; University of Texas School of Law Construction Law Conference Speaker, “You’ve Got a Friend, or Do You? How Do Various Project Delivery Systems Affect Litigation Strategy in Multi-Party Claims”, Feb, 2013; Lorman Seminar Speaker, “Perfecting Lien Rights on Private Projects”, Jan, 2013; Houston Bar Association Speaker, “How Do Various Project Delivery Systems Affect Litigation Strategy in Multi-Party Claims?”, Oct, 2012; Author, “Project Delivery Systems Require Analysis and Impact Litigation Strategy”, Engineering News-Record, June, 2012; Houston Bar Association Speaker, “Public Contracting & Procurement”, June, 2012

Associations

American College of Construction Lawyers (Fellow); College of Commercial Arbitrators (Fellow); Institute for Transnational Arbitration; Houston Bar Association (Fellow); HBA Sections of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Construction and Litigation; Texas Bar Foundation (Fellow); College of the State Bar of Texas (Fellow); American Bar Association (Alternative Dispute Resolution, Litigation Section and Construction Industry Forum Member); State Bar of Texas (Construction Law Section, Litigation Section and ADR Section); Past President of State Bar of Texas Construction Law Section; Past Chair HBA ADR Section; DRI; Member, Associated General Contractors of America, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Houston Contractors Association; Garland Walker Inn of Court, and Editor of the Construction Law Journal.

Miscellaneous

Member, AAA Construction Mega Project Panel, Large Complex Case; Panel, Regular Construction Industry Panel, ICDR Panel, AAA Commercial Panel; International cases under the ICC Rules and the ICDR Rules; Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators. 2012 – present; Member of the Construction & Commercial Panels of Arbitrators. American Arbitration Association, 1990 - present