Profile & Practice Areas
Jeffrey M. Sangster is a founding member of Kotz Sangster. For over 30 years, he has specialized in all aspects of construction law, including:
- Contract review
- Contract drafting and negotiations
- Project risk analysis
- Claim resolution through litigation and arbitration, facilitation and mediation
Jeff has an intimate understanding of contractors and developers and their business objectives. He helped Kotz Sangster develop risk mitigation programs for the entire construction process from the bid phase through contract negotiations and project administration, as well as project closeout.
He has represented a diverse mixture of clients, including construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, bond companies, governmental and quasi-governmental entities, developers, nonprofits and manufacturers.
Jeff and his team specialize in a wide variety of commercial, industrial, and civil projects which have involved:
- Federal projects
- Automotive paint lines
- Detention basins
- Schools
- Parking structures
- Building collapses
- Hospitals
- Hotels, casinos & stadiums
- Churches & historic properties
- Sewer & infrastructure
- Bridges
- Correctional facilities
- Manufacturing plants
- Commercial & residential developments
He has obtained significant victories for clients through arbitration and litigation in courts and venues throughout the country. His litigation experience includes significant involvement in delay claims, including complex Critical Path Method analysis, defect claims, design claims, construction liens, payment and performance bond claims, complex insurance coverage issues, and complex environmental issues.
As an experienced construction lawyer, Jeff also sat as an arbitrator on the construction panel for the American Arbitration Association. This affords him the opportunity to view a construction dispute from both sides of the table, which significantly benefits his clients.
Practice Areas
- Administrative Proceedings
- Claim Litigation/Arbitration
- Construction
- Construction Project Development
- Contract Drafting and Negotiation
- Environmental Law for Construction
- Insurance and Bonding
- Lien, Bond, Trust Fund Act Compliance and Enforcement
- Post-Bid
- Risk Analysis and Mitigation Plan
- Strategic Assistance with Project Execution
Honors & Awards
- Martindale-Hubbell, Rated AV-Preeminent
- Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, 2018-2025
- Super Lawyers, Construction Litigation, 2006-2024
- Leading Lawyers, Construction Law, 2014-2024
- DBusiness Top Lawyers, Construction Law, Litigation/Construction, 2013-2025
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly, “Go To Lawyers” for Construction Law, 2023
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly, “Go To Lawyers Power List,” 2023
- The Salvation Army, William Booth Award, 2021
Professional Associations
- State Bar of Michigan
- Macomb County Bar Association
- Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA)
- Associated General Contractors (AGC)
- Construction Association of Michigan (CAM)
- American Arbitration Association (AAA)
Community Involvement
- The Salvation Army, Eastern Michigan Division, Advisory Board
- The Salvation Army, Harbor Light Center, Advisory Council
- The Salvation Army Outdoors
- Pure Oakland Water, Board of Directors, 2016-Present
- Wayne County Sheriff Youth and Senior Education Fund, Board of Directors
- Detroit Athletic Club (DAC), Member