Aaron A. Martinez

As a business and trial attorney whose practice emphasizes commercial, industrial, and residential construction litigation and transactions, Greg Harwell helped found Slates Harwell in order to restore the partnering aspect to the legal profession. With over 34 years of legal experience, Greg has been involved in almost every conceivable situation where the law and the construction industry intersect.  

Greg primarily devotes his time to litigating and arbitrating disputes arising from construction projects, but he is also heavily involved in the negotiation and preparation of design and construction contracts and related documents. The skills needed to master these areas combine to reach all aspects of the construction and design process, particularly relating to risk management, project planning, and dispute resolution. When litigation arises, he brings his experience in handling disputes arising from design and construction errors, delay and cost claims, building performance problems, and payment disputes, including mechanic’s liens.  Greg has argued successfully on multiple occasions before appellate courts, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Texas Supreme Court.

Greg is adept at navigating the complex and sometimes confusing world of bond claims and mechanic’s liens, having authored a chapter on the mechanic’s lien laws of Texas at www.lienlawonline.com. Further, he has been involved for many years in efforts on behalf of clients and trade associations in the construction industry to draft and present legislation to help improve the industry. Included in these efforts were modifications to Texas law relating to insurance coverage, to the regulation of contractors, and to statutes that facilitate pre-suit negotiations and resolution of disputes.  This has included leading the effort to re-write the Texas mechanic’s lien statute in 2021 and to revise and update the Texas Residential Construction Liability Act in 2023.

He has held numerous offices with the Dallas Bar Association’s Construction Law Section, including chair, vice chair, and treasurer.

When not practicing law, Greg is an avid woodworker – enjoying the challenge of designing and reproducing pieces of classical American furniture and fixtures.