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Joseph Cleves - Partner

(513) 639-7683
(513) 241-4551 (Fax)

Joseph A. Cleves, Jr. practices primarily in the areas of construction and real estate.  He has extensive experience in developing and revising contract documents and procedures for construction and real estate clients.  He has negotiated and closed on numerous construction contracts, joint venture agreements and subcontracts.  He also has extensive experience in lean construction, a practice designed to maximize value and minimize waste throughout the construction process.  He heads the law firm’s construction practice group.

His construction clients include a design-builder based in Dayton, Ohio, which has a national presence; major medical centers in Ohio and Kentucky; the Kentucky branch of a significant religious organization with more than fifty churches and schools; a large and very active home builder’s organization; and other contractors and subcontractors.

He is currently involved with or has completed the following:

  • Representing and coaching the design team and negotiating contracts for implementation of integrated project delivery for a $100 million dollar facility for a major Greater Cincinnati medical center.
  • Contract negotiations with a construction manager for a $50 million dollar expansion by a Greater Cincinnati medical center
  • A master construction manager agreement between a Greater Cincinnati medical center and a large construction company for continuing services on core hospital projects.
  • Standard form construction contact libraries with extensive customized revisions of numerous project delivery systems for two major medical centers in Greater Cincinnati, a major regional design-builder, and the Kentucky branch of a significant religious organization.
  • Contracts for a $48 million dollar residential village at a major state university in Ohio for a design-builder, including a joint venture with a residential builder.

Admitted to Practice

  • State of Ohio
  • Commonwealth of Kentucky
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association

Ohio State Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Cincinnati Bar Association

Northern Kentucky Bar Association

Lean Construction Institute (LCI) – Joe is the firm’s liaison with LCI, and is co-chair of the LCI Ohio Valley Chapter.

Steering Committee of Division Two on Construction Documents of the ABA’s Construction Law Forum (2005-2010)

Co-Chair of ConsensusDOCS Committee that is updating CD300 Standard Tri-Party Agreement for Integrated Project Delivery

Joe has led strategic planning exercises for firm clients.  He is a past board member of the Thomas More College Alumni Association, for which he served one term as chairman.  He also served six years on the board of a local ministry-based, non-denominational social service agency, including three years as its chairman.

Education

J.D., St. Louis University (1978)

B.A., Thomas More College (1975)

Professional Publications

"No-Fault Construction's Time Has Come,"  Construction Lawyer - American Bar Association (Summer 2011)

"Incentives and Risk Sharing in the LEAN Setting," The Voice - Construction Users Roundtable, (Fall, 2010)

“Why Lean Economic Times Calls for Lean Construction,” Under Construction – American Bar Association, (August 2009)

“Legal Brief:  Is LEAN the Wave of the Future,” The Voice – Construction Users Roundtable, (Summer 2007)

Awards & Honors

Best Lawyers 2013 “Lawyer of the Year” in Cincinnati Construction Law

Speaking Engagements

“Integrated Project Delivery:  The Game Changer”, American Bar’s Construction Law Forum, Las Vegas, with Hanson Bridgett partner, Lisa Dal Gallo. (April 28, 2012)

“AIA Design and Construction Contracts and Bonds”, Catholic Conference for Facility Managers, Covington, Kentucky, with DBL Law partner Mark Guilfoyle. (April 23, 2012)

“The New Paradigm:  Realignment Through Integrated Project Delivery”, ConSteel Conference, Atlanta. ConSteel is an organization of designers, construction companies, and suppliers.  (April 12, 2011)

“The Top-Down Approach to Integrated Project Delivery,” Lean Construction Institute – Central Florida Chapter (June 24, 2010)

Guest lecturer on lean construction at the University of Cincinnati’s and University of Dayton’s Engineering Colleges.