William J.
DeBauche

(6/19/1956 – 3/5/2022)

IN MEMORIAM:

On March 5, 2022, our highly respected partner, William J. DeBauche, passed away from complications relating to COVID-19. Bill practiced with the firm for over 37 years, primarily in the areas of construction, arbitration and general litigation. Bill was a recognized expert in mechanic’s lien law, having taught a course at UMKC Law School for many years. More importantly, Bill will be remembered by his colleagues and clients as a strong advocate and trusted friend. May he rest in peace.
________________________________________________

Bill has over thirty five years of experience with Brown & Ruprecht as an attorney concentrating in construction law, government contract law, general civil litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. Bill is experienced with contract and subcontract review and litigation and arbitration on public and private construction projects, in state and federal courts, before the Boards of Contract Appeals, and in arbitration hearings. Bill has represented general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, commercial and residential owners, developers, architects, engineers, and sureties in construction matters. Bill has handled cases involving disputes over payment, mechanic’s lien filings and lawsuits, payment bond claims and lawsuits, changes to work, multiple verbal changes never reduced to written change orders, scope and intent of the contract drawings and specifications, allegations of defective work by the contractor, delay claims, differing site conditions, subsurface defects, termination of the contractor, bid protests, architect and engineer liability and  many other cases. These cases have involved situations in which settlements were negotiated prior to legal proceedings, situations in which mechanic’s liens were filed by the contractor or designer, and situations in which lawsuits or arbitrations were filed.

Bill has taught many seminars for the Builders’ Association and several national seminar organizations on a variety of construction subjects, including mechanics’ liens, federal contract claims, construction arbitrations, payment issues, extra work and changes, claims against surety bonds, construction contract documents, bidding, bid mistakes, and bid protests, and professional responsibility in construction law practice. Bill has served as a mediator and arbitrator in over fifty cases, both for the American Arbitration Association and in private mediations and arbitrations.