About Us

Wray and Pierce, L.L.P. formed in May, 1999 by W. P. Wray, Jr., Russel W. Wray and Christopher P. Pierce is the continuation of a forty-year law practice with emphasis on construction law and civil litigation. Between 1962 and the present time, we have managed construction claims in addition to other general business matters. While many cases have been litigated or arbitrated, most have been negotiated to a satisfactory conclusion, often without a lawsuit being filed. Our experience with construction projects include:

I. Highways and Bridges:

• Defects in concrete and asphalt pavement
• Interpretation of ambiguous plans and specifications
• Latent subsurface soil conditions and other differing site conditions
• Design deficiencies in steel and concrete bridges
• Collapse of highway culverts in St. James Parish, Louisiana
• Disruption of delay due to various causes
• Subcontractor claims concerning contract interpretation and payment issues

II. Building Construction

• Commercial and residential projects
• Design deficiencies and construction defects
• Liens and payment issues
• Delay, disruption, and liquidated damages issues
• Contract interpretation issues

III. Industrial projects

• Design deficiencies and construction defects in a power plant in Point
• Coupee Parish, Louisiana
• Design deficiencies in a soil cement reservoir for brine storage at an offshore oil port in Lafouche Parish, Louisiana
• Various contract interpretation issues
• Lien and payment issues

These construction projects have been located throughout Louisiana and include both public works projects involving state agencies, local public bodies, as well as private projects, ranging from a multi-million dollar coal-fired power plant to residential construction projects.  We have represented contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and equipment dealers, as well as owners, design professionals, and public entities.  We have handled claims on projects ranging from a few thousand dollars to tens of millions.

We have handled many cases involving the Louisiana Public Bid Law.  These cases concern the public policy of the State of Louisiana and its prohibitions which must be complied with by public entitites who award contracts for public works projects in Louisiana.  Sixty-four parishes, each with numerous local public entities, when added to state and other public entities constitute a large number of awarding authorities who must comply with the Public Bid Law to construct public improvements. We have been involved in these kinds of matters since 1962.  Some of the cases have involved minority set asides, prevailing wages, closed specifications and other disputes over the low responsive and responsible bidder.  We have been successful in obtaining injunctive relief and declaratory relief in such matters, and in some cases, judgment ordering the contract to be awarded to the low bidder.

Bill Wray, now of counsel to the firm, has been engaged in the representation of the Louisiana Associated General Contractors, Inc. since its inception through the merger of the Louisiana AGC Highway, Heavy, Municipal/Utilities Chapter, Inc. and the AGC Chaper of Louisiana, Inc.  Bill was also counsel to the Louisiana AGC Highway, Heavy, Municipal/Utilities Chapter, Inc. prior to the merger.  In Louisiana, the LAGC has pursued an aggressive litigation program on behalf of the construction industry concerning Louisiana contract law issues and State and Federal constitutional issues.  The Louisiana Associated General Contractors, Inc. has done remarkable work for the construction industry in safeguarding the right and freedom of all responsible contractors to engage in the bidding process for public works in a fashion that befits the construction industry in its aggressive and competitive nature.  We have represented the Louisiana Associated General Contractors, Inc. in those endeavors.

We have hosted seminars for contractors, design professionals, public officials, and other attorneys.  These include:  Louisiana Associated General Contractors, Inc. district seminars [2001 and 2002]; "Construction is Just a Roll of the Dice."  [1999 LAGC Summer Conference]; "Louisiana Construction Lien Law", [1999 and 2001 Lorman Seminar]; "Contractors in Jeopardy", [1998 LAGC Summer Conference]; "Construction Contracting for Public Entities", [1997 and 1998 Lorman Seminars]; and several others.

We have also handled other general business litigation in both State and Federal courts, as well as cases for individuals involving wills and successions, personal injury, and other civil matters.  Our listing of reported cases also reflects some of that work.

Attached hereto is a list of our published appellate cases.  You may wish to read some of these cases or desire additional information that is not provided in this narrative about the firm of Wray & Pierce, L.L.P., if so, please feel free to contact us through the U.S. mail, e-mail, facsimile or phone.