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Benjamin J. Morris

Partenaire

Benjamin J. Morris

Partenaire

Benjamin Morris is a construction lawyer advising and counseling owners, developers, contractors, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers throughout all phases of complex construction projects and construction litigation. He is a partner in the firm’s Construction and Commercial Litigation Practices.

Benjamin guides clients through contract drafting and negotiation, risk management analysis, delay analysis, lien filing, and defense and claim enforcement on both private and public projects. During his career, Benjamin has worked on various projects ranging from large commercial and industrial facilities to mixed-use residential and commercial buildings, highways and railways, and large data centers. He also guides clients on regulatory compliance issues related to contractor licensing.

Benjamin also handles business and complex litigation, including defense of trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, unfair competition, and consumer class action claims. His commercial clients have included biopharmaceutical companies, consumer electronics manufacturers, technology companies, consumer products companies, and banks.

With a strong commitment to pro bono work, Benjamin routinely mentors others working on pro bono matters. He is currently the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program, serves on the firm’s National Pro Bono Committee, and is the Pro Bono Chair for the firm’s San Diego office.

Prior to joining Foley, Benjamin was an associate with a global intellectual property law firm. He has served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Patricia D. Benke of the California Court of Appeals, Fourth District, Division One (2007) and as a law clerk in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office (2006).

Expérience des représentants

  • Represented owner of a large California multi-family project on claims against performance bond surety following default and termination of general contractor.
  • Represented large subcontractor on federal government construction project related to construction and installation of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities.
  • Advised large HVAC-tech company regarding contractor license regulatory issues related to installation of clean energy upgrades at facilities nationwide.
  • Represented developer of senior living conversion project on claims against general construction for delay and cost issues.
  • Successful resolution of significant non-payment claim for subcontractor on large Northern California public works project.
  • Representation of the receiver of a national electrical contractor in arbitration concerning the US$1.3bn Utah Data Center constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers for the National Security Agency.
  • Represented the owner in litigation related to engineering and construction defects present in a major cathedral complex.
  • Represented high net worth owner on construction defect claim related to significant water intrusion and building envelope failures stemming from multimillion-dollar new construction and renovation project.
  • Represented local nonprofit church in defense of claims by general contractor for breach of contract during renovation project.
  • Assisted a worldwide leader in architectural, engineering, planning, and construction services in the development of a multimillion-dollar claim measuring the cumulative impact of hundreds of owner-imposed changes, delays, and disruptions on a major public highway project.
  • Obtained judgment against client’s subcontractor for significant additional costs incurred from subcontractor’s breach of contract and abandonment of project.
  • Full recovery of engineering client claims plus attorney fees after client wrongfully terminated for cause by owner.
  • Obtained TRO and preliminary injunction against former officer of California bioscience company when the officer abruptly disappeared with company computer and records amid investigation of financial irregularities. Obtained forensic evidence that the officer copied and then deleted files from the computer after being served with turnover order from the court.

Prix et reconnaissance

  • Selected by San Diego Business Journal  as one of the Nonprofit Board Leaders of Influence (2025)
  • Selected by San Diego Business Journal  as one of the Top 100 Leaders of Influence in Law (2024)
  • Casa Cornelia Law Center’s 2021 Pro Bono Publico Award (2021)
  • Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services, California Lawyers Association (2021)
  • San Diego Super Lawyers® – Rising Stars list (2015, 2016 and 2017)

Affiliations

  • Vice Chair, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program’s Board of Directors (SDVLP); Board Member Since 2021
  • Member, Build & Serve Committee, Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego Chapter
  • Barrister, Honorable William B. Enright Chapter of the American Inns of Court
  • Member, American Bar Association (including Forum on Construction Law)
  • Member, San Diego County Bar Association (including Construction Law Section)

Présentations et publications

14 novembre 2025 Points de vue de Foley

Finies les retenues de 10% : La Californie impose un plafond de rétention de 5 % pour les projets de construction privés

À compter du 1er janvier 2026 : il est temps de mettre à jour vos contrats Si votre entreprise est impliquée dans la construction privée en Californie, un changement fondamental...
November 10, 2025 Foley Viewpoints

Is Your Private Project Ready for California's New Change Order Law?

The Clock is Ticking: SB 440 Takes Effect January 1, 2026 The new year brings a mandatory shakeup to California's private construction...
April 1, 2025 Honors and Awards

Benjamin Morris Named Nonprofit Board Leader of Influence by San Diego Business Journal

Foley & Lardner LLP partner Benjamin Morris is named a 2025 Nonprofit Board Leader of Influence by the San Diego Business Journal.
October 28, 2024 Honors and Awards

Les avocats de Foley nommés leaders d'influence en droit par le San Diego Business Journal

Les associés de Foley & Lardner LLP, Paul Hunter, Benjamin Morris et Jaikaran Singh, sont reconnus comme des leaders d'influence en droit pour 2024 par le San Diego Business Journal.
January 23, 2024 Foley Viewpoints

Combining Philanthropy with P3 Project Delivery for Construction Projects

While many in the development and construction space are familiar with the Public-Private-Partnership (P3) model for the delivery of...
Two people sit at a table while one person, possibly one of the top lawyers in Chicago, reviews and prepares to sign a document on a clipboard with a pen.
December 19, 2023 Foley Viewpoints

Prompt Payment Laws Continue to Trend in Favor of Contractors

Prompt payment laws continue to disrupt the construction industry, eliminating past practices by requiring timely payments for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.