Shaun D. Loughlin

Construction litigation attorney Shaun D. Loughlin resolves disputes and defends claims and lawsuits involving construction, design and real estate professionals and companies. When architects and engineers face professional liability and malpractice allegations, Shaun protects their reputations and livelihoods with an all-in defense strategy. He also represents contractors and project managers in disputes. He has helped clients prevail in mediation, arbitration and trial, and taken matters to the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

Shaun’s knowledge of the construction industry began early, in his family’s residential construction business. He leverages his understanding of design, engineering, construction and contracting to identify key facts, create defense strategies, and achieve early resolution, when possible, through summary judgment, favorable settlements and other outcomes.

Construction Project and Design Dispute Resolutions

Disputes involving multifamily residential construction projects are an active part of his practice. Shaun manages construction, design and professional liability lawsuits from inception to resolution. His project experience ranges from single-family residential construction to major, transportation infrastructure and includes commercial and residential structures, power plants, subsurface civil and geotechnical projects, athletic stadia and other public projects. 

Shaun’s commercial litigation background also includes land use issues, commercial leases, unfair and deceptive business practices claims and anti-SLAPP litigation.

Trial Advocacy Excellence

As a trial team member, Shaun adds bench strength with in-depth research and his oral and writing skills. He is the 2023 first place winner in the firm’s Donald W. Rees National GRSM Oral Advocacy Competition for Associates and Senior Counsel. 

Shaun served as executive editor of Connecticut Law Review and interned for the Hon. Alfred V. Covello, U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, while earning his J.D. from University of Connecticut School of Law. Recently, he returned to the Boys & Girls Club of Assabet Valley, where he attended in his youth, to serve on its board of directors. 

Admissions

• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
• U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut

Memberships

• Boston Bar Association
• Boys & Girls Club of Assabet Valley, Member, Board of Directors, 2022-present

Community Involvement

• Boys & Girls Club of Assabet Valley, Member, Board of Directors
• Boston Cares, Volunteer

• Obtained special motion to dismiss pursuant to anti-SLAPP statute, on grounds that plaintiff’s claim for defamation against client sought damages for client’s protected speech. Client awarded all costs and fees.
• Represented an architect in an 8-day arbitration on claims of breach of contract and negligence for over $1 million in project costs associated with design revisions issued via change order on $62 million construction project. 
• Secured a defense verdict following two-day bench trial in Middlesex Superior Court for client, a real estate brokerage, who listed two condominium units for sale to plaintiffs. Plaintiffs alleged that client violated unfair and deceptive business practice statute for failing to disclose ownership interests in parking spaces at condominium, which led to dispute between plaintiffs and condominium trustee.
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of client—an engineering subconsultant to construction project’s architect—on the grounds that as a subconsultant, client was still protected by waiver of subrogation claims set forth in construction contract between plaintiff and general contractor.
• Achieved dismissal of two violations and reduction in two violations on appeal of OSHA violations to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, stemming from client’s mechanical/HVAC services performed on the roof of public transportation agency.
   

Publications

• Back to Basics: Massachusetts SJC Reverts to Prior Framework for Adjudicating Anti-SLAPP Motions to Dismiss, GRSM Construction Law Update, First Quarter 2024
• Divide and Conquer: Examining Recently-Released AIA Forms B111 and B112 for Projects with Two Architects, GRSM Construction Law Update, Third Quarter, 2022
• Workers’ Compensation & Student-Athletes: Protecting the Unpaid Talent in the Profit-Making Enterprise of Collegiate Athletics, 48. Conn. L. Rev. 1737, 2016

Education

J.D., high honors, University of Connecticut School of Law, 2017

• Connecticut Law Review, Executive Editor
• Connecticut Moot Court Board, Member

B.A., magna cum laude, Political Science, Syracuse University, 2013

Honors

• First place winner, Donald W. Rees National GRSM Oral Advocacy Competition for Associates and Senior Counsel, 2023