Wearen Hughes is an attorney, arbitrator and mediator. As an attorney with over 37 years of experience, his primary focus is on construction contracting and litigation, environmental litigation, other types of commercial litigation and dispute resolution. In his construction and real estate practice, he assists clients with construction and related real estate needs, minimizing exposure by helping them navigate design, construction and related contracts and various project delivery options. When disputes arise, Wearen protects his clients' interests through litigation or alternative dispute resolution.
Wearen assists public and private owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and design professionals in:
- Construction and Design Matters – Representing clients in many types of construction-related disputes, including ones involving mechanics' and materialmen's liens, Prompt Pay Act and other payment issues, design and construction defects, change orders, differing site conditions, bid disputes, impact and delay claims, terminations, bond claims, and insurance disputes; and in drafting and negotiating many types of construction, design and related contracts, including industry-standard forms such as those from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC).
Environmental Litigation – Representing public and private clients in various types of environmental disputes, including cost recovery actions, administrative proceedings and tort actions.
Alternative Dispute Resolution – Representing parties in numerous settlement negotiations, judicial settlement conferences, mediations and arbitrations.
Other matters- Representing clients in numerous types of matters, including matters involving insurance coverage, creditor’s rights, products liability, industrial accidents, premises liability and commercial disputes.
Wearen also serves as an arbitrator, having been on the American Arbitration Association panel of arbitrators since 1995. He has served on panels, including as chair, and as a sole arbitrator in a variety of matters, with most involving construction and commercial disputes. He also has serves as a mediator, primarily in construction–related disputes, but also in other types of disputes. His construction-related arbitrations and mediations have included most or all of the types of claims listed above. He is a Tennessee Rule 31 General Civil mediator.