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Mark W. Jacobsen

 

I enjoy working with design professionals for two reasons.  First, I am inspired by their creative energy and entreprenurial spirit.  Working with design professionals is fun.

 

Second, design professionals need me (or someone like me) because design professionals are not lawyers, and thankfully, they do not think like lawyers.  (Imagine what our built environment would look like if they did.)  Nevertheless, in the current business environment, design professionals need lawyers to help them manage professional liability risk and to navigate the legal and regulatory framework within which they must operate.

 

My job is to help design professionals implement sound business and risk management practices that support and enhance their professional objectives, without stifling creativity, entreprenurial spirit, or client relationships.

 

 

Bar Admissions

  • Washington State

Education

  • University of Oregon School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1993

  • University of California Berkeley, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, 1986

Professional Associations

  • Washington State Bar Association

Professional Certifications*

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  • LEED® Accredited Professional, U.S. Green Building Council

  • Contract Document Technologist, Construction Specifications Institute

* These design and construction industry certifications are not related to the practice of law.  Furthermore, the Supreme Court of Washington does not recognize certification of specialties in the practice of law and certificate, award, or recognition is not a requirement to practice law in the state of Washington.

Risk Management Presentations, Seminars, Articles

  • Contract Essentials for Design Professionals, ACEC/SEAO Risk Management Meeting, Portland, Oregon May 9, 2017

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  • AIA Continuing Education Courses, presented in Vancouver, Olympia and Spokane Washington in 2016:​​​​

Liability Assumed by Contract​

An Overview of Better Contracts for Architect

The Case for Limitations of Liability

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  • As a Risk Manager, lead in-house lunchtime presentations, including:

Reduce Project Write-offs: Project Set Up

Reduce Project Write-offs: Construction Phase Services

Contracts for Design Professionals

Working with Envelope Consultants: Problems and Solutions

Technical Lessons Learned

Condominum Project Selection Standards

  • Presented A&E Contract Essentials: 10 Dos and Don’ts, A&E Risk Solutions Seminar Series, AIA Portland, Portland, OR June 9, 2011,

  • Presented Risk Management Essentials for Design Professionals, A&E Risk Solutions Seminar Series, AIA Portland, Portland, OR March 10, 2011

  • Presented Managing Professional Liability Risk in Green Building, A&E Risk Solutions Seminar Series, (with Chris Forney, Brightworks), AIA Portland Portland, OR  February 10, 2011

  • Authored Managing Professional Liability in Green Building Projects, (with Chris Forney, Brightworks) Daily Journal of Commerce, Portland OR February 8, 2011

  • Authored Proposed Construction Defect Legislation Misses Opportunity, (with Darien Loiselle) Daily Journal of Commerce, Portland, OR March 20, 2007

  • Presented E&O Insurance for Design Professionals: Will that expensive policy really cover your claim?  Society for Design Administration, Western States Regional Conference, Portland, OR September 29-30, 2006

  • Presented Condominium Warranty Concept and Structure, (with Mike Hall, Hall and Company) Condominium Risk Management Roundtable, San Diego, CA September 13-16, 2006

  • Presented Homeowners Association Documents, Condominium Risk Management Roundtable, Portland, OR January 26-27, 2006

  • Drafted Condominium Contract Standards and Template Master Owner-Architect Agreement (collaboration with roundtable participants), Condominium Risk Management Roundtable, Portland, OR January 26-27, 2006

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