I make it a priority to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with my clients, which helps instill confidence and build mutual trust. My composed, steady demeanor puts clients at ease as I craft practical and reasonable resolutions to their matters. I feel that taking a calm, cordial approach to opposing counsel usually generates the best outcomes but, when the situation warrants, I advocate zealously for those I represent.
Drawing on his boots-on-ground construction industry experience, legal skills, and deep knowledge base, Eric Forner counsels construction companies and businesses of all sizes. In his full-service legal practice, Eric addresses every aspect of his client’s legal needs from initial contract drafting and review to complex litigation of claims and disputes. In addition to handling construction-related matters, he also advises clients on issues that arise in business and real estate areas and in commercial litigation.
Well versed in an array of legal and business matters that his clients encounter, Eric serves as general counsel on business transitions, business formation, ownership disputes and transfers, and reviews and drafts operating agreements, bylaws, and partnership agreements. Eric brings experience in shepherding clients through the purchase and sale of their business and properties. This includes writing and reviewing contracts for these transactions, applying a keen eye that helps make them as airtight as possible to prevent problems from surfacing down the road.
Prior to law school, Eric worked as an estimator and project manager for a small, Seattle-based specialty subcontractor and in the accounting department for a construction supply company. During law school Eric externed for Freestone Capital Management working with their legal department and alternative investment group to determine structure, set up and track investment/holding companies for numerous investment opportunities.
Today, his clients appreciate that he understands and “speaks the language” of both the construction industry and the business and finance sectors.
Articles & Publications
- Co-Author, “Federal Government Contractors: Take Note of These Five Important Developments,” AGC-AK Contractor Magazine,
Fall 2018 - Author, “Important Reinterpretation of 8(a) Federal Procurement Law May Mean High-Value Government Contracts will be
Returning to Alaska Native Corporations,” Procurement Playbook, August 14, 2018 - Author, “Does a Contracting Officer’s Mistake about the Reasons for a Termination Constitute Bad Faith or an Abuse of Discretion?”
Procurement Playbook, April 20, 2017 - Author, “Stopped Before You Start: EPA’s Pre-emptive Veto of Bristol Bay’s Proposed Pebble Mine,” AGC Alaska Contractor
Magazine, Spring 2016 - Contributing Author, “Construction Law Update,” Aspen Publishing, eds. 2015 & 2016
Professional Affiliations
- National Utility Contractors Association, Legislative Committee
- Associated Builders & Contractors, Western Washington Chapter, Member
- Association of Builders & Contractors of Western Washington, Board Member Young Professionals Group
- Associated General Contractors of Washington, Member