Engineering and Architecture are widely understood to be complex fields to both study and practice. The onward march of technological development and legal regulation continuously adds new opportunities and wrinkles for designers and builders to consider. As these fields have evolved over time, so have their legal needs and expectations.
Attorney Gregory Ziegler is personally familiar with this engineering, design, and legal ecosystem. With decades of experience under his belt, Ziegler has dedicated his career to helping the craftsmen, designers, and builders of the United States navigate their legal needs. With his first-hand understanding of what it takes for designers and constructors to operate, he knows how to help these businesses navigate risk and achieve their goals.
Born Into Architecture
Gregory Ziegler’s appreciation for the architecture and design industry began in early childhood. Growing up in a home designed and built by his father meant that Ziegler was surrounded by architectural drawings and conversations from the age of six onward. More than mere immersion, Ziegler grew up appreciating the physical component of construction and would be helping lay brick and install insulation in the Texas heat before the age of ten.
Ziegler’s decision to pursue a legal career supporting these fields was only further confirmed by his own son’s eventual decision to pursue an education and career in engineering. With so many personal connections to the world of builders and designers, Gregory Ziegler’s passion for his work is unparalleled in his field.
Passion-driven Education
Ziegler’s passion and appreciation would only be matched by his discipline and ambition—both things that proved invaluable as he pursued his education.
Splitting his undergraduate education between the University of Michigan and Southern Methodist University gave him a broad knowledge base and social circle. In his undergraduate studies, he balanced his academic pursuits with athletic ones, earning high grades while honing and developing his leadership skills as a collegiate quarterback. This blend of teamplay and academic rigor would serve him well in the heavily collaborative environment of architecture, engineering, and design law.
Gregory Ziegler, of course, would not be satisfied as an undergrad. He pursued his law degree at both the Oklahoma College of Law and Texas Tech University School of Law, where his academic discipline would prepare him for his chosen legal career. With his Juris Doctor in hand, he became a member of the bar in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, and is admitted to practice in all Texas state and federal courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Success In And Out Of The Courtroom
Gregory Ziegler’s professional career is marked by consistent success and outstanding results. Over 25 years representing businesses, insurance carriers, and professionals in legal situations ranging from litigation, to contract negotiations, to business transactions, Ziegler had many opportunities to succeed. His clients include nationally known and respected firms, insurers, contractors, and professionals in the United States.
Some of Gregory Ziegler’s most high-profile successes include, but are not limited to:
- Serving as lead legal counsel for the structural engineer on the multimillion-dollar Mississippi State University Football Stadium cost overrun case.
- Winning successful settlement for the client structural engineering firm in the Dallas Cowboys Practice Facility Collapse cases in Dallas County.
- Winning enforcement of several non-compete agreements and prevention of unfair competition and misappropriation of trade secrets in Dallas and Tarrant Counties.
- Successfully defended a client structural engineer in a foundation design case, where a jury trial found no liability against the engineer.
The best single example of Ziegler’s legal expertise is the one he considers the most rewarding of his career: the Ocean Tower case. The client in this case was a structural engineering firm involved with the construction of Ocean Tower, a 31-story luxury high-rise condominium on Texas’ South Padre Island beachfront. The project was paused, then canceled and demolished due to safety concerns arising from cracks in the supporting columns and a sinking central core.
After the tower’s controlled implosion, the developers blamed the client firm for the tower’s failure and sued them for $125 million in damages. The broader legal community predicted bankruptcy and reputational ruin for the engineering firm, but that was not a guarantee. Indeed, Gregory Ziegler was able to ensure the client’s long-term success by successfully getting the case dismissed.
The Blueprint to Success
Gregory Ziegler’s professional philosophy is built on comprehensive knowledge and understanding of factors both architectural and legal. Knowing first-hand what it takes for designers and constructors to do their jobs gives Ziegler the understanding needed to properly anticipate the scope and challenges his clients face.
The core question of his philosophy is simple: “What is best for the business?” The decision to settle or try a case cannot be made in a vacuum; it depends on the balance of risk from liability and defense costs, the possibility of future claimants, and more. To make the most informed decisions and provide the best legal guidance possible, Ziegler works hard to keep up to date on as much relevant knowledge as possible.
“I make a point of talking to and meeting with our clients, listening to them, and staying involved in industry groups and organizations like the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC),” Ziegler says. “Collaboration with our clients and their peers has proven invaluable to learn what design professionals are confronted with, and how to assist them in anticipating and addressing risk.”
Risk is the common denominator in any discussion of legal counsel, but especially so in Ziegler’s chosen client industry. Risk comes from the projects clients choose to take on, the contract language they employ or tolerate, the amount of time and money they’re willing to invest in a project, and more.
Even technological advances do not inoculate a client from risk. Greg Ziegler says, “The greater the technological advantages in assisting with project performance, the greater the level of expectations of our client’s clients’, which increases the risk of claims and heightens the need for proactive legal protection.”
It’s the lawyers’ job to keep up to date on new technology, new laws, and new practices in their clients’ fields if they’re to find success. Being able to nimbly account for and adapt to risk is the mark of an expert lawyer, and it’s something Gregory Ziegler prioritizes in his professional philosophy every day.
