TRUAX LAW

Providing elite legal services, trusted advice and strategic guidance to the construction industry and small business throughout Northern Ohio

ABOUT US

TRUST – CLARITY – RELIABILITY – TENACITY – STRATEGY

CONSTRUCTION LAW -
TRUSTED ADVISOR

I’ve worked in construction since I was a teenager. I got through college and law school working as a laborer and foreman, started my legal career representing contractors and owners, and spent the last 16 years working with some of the best legal minds, construction experts, and visionaries in law.

I decided to start this firm to set a new standard by which lawyers in construction and elsewhere are held, from a true, client service perspective –solutions based, anchored in communication, care and value– and in building a team that others want to be a part of. My vision is to change the way business owners think about lawyers. This is a new type of law firm.

— Phil Truax

QUESTIONS? GIVE US A CALL 440.534.6733

CONSTRUCTION LAW

Providing counsel and representing contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, owners, and developers through all project phases and claim disputes, and to generally manage and limit risks

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Managing claims to avoid litigation but when necessary, handling construction matters, and business disputes in manufacturing and service industries in court, arbitration and mediation

STRATEGIC ADVICE

Providing strategic counsel to align business goals with legal issues and risk management, assisting with leadership and coaching management, and prioritizing organization, efficiency and communication.

PRACTICE AREAS

Providing elite legal services, trusted advice and strategic guidance to the construction industry and small business throughout Northeast Ohio.

CONSTRUCTION LAW

Handling bid protests and disputes, contract preparation and negotiation, claims management and advancement, insurance issues and claims, and taking matters to arbitration or trial

PROBATE & TRUST LITIGATION

Managing estate disputes and pursuing/defending breach of fiduciary, will contest, undue influence and elder abuse claims; assisting with estate planning and elder care law & Medicaid/VA planning matters

SMALL BUSINESS COUNSEL

Offering trusted advice and service to review agreements, manage risk and assist with communications and potential claims involving vendors, suppliers and customers

STRATEGIC ADVISORY SERVICES

Providing strategic business planning that aligns with legal objectives and risk management, and leadership training for small business

BUSINESS LITIGATION

Representing businesses and owners through complex disputes and claims in court and arbitration ranging from contract disputes to negligence and other tort claims

MEDIATION SERVICES

Providing mediation services by acting as a neutral third-party for disputes

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AWARDS

Ohio Super Lawyer 2019-2022
Rising Star Super Lawyer 2014-2018

Ohio Super Lawyers

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 & Under, District 10

Ohio State Bar Association 2018

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Acting Programming Chair and former Vice Chair of the Board

Leadership Lorain County Board of Directors

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Founding member of the Bridge Board (young professionals of the Boys and Girls Club)

Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland

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NEWS & ARTICLES

Our blog articles, insight and ramblings over the latest legal issues and developments impacting the construction industry and the business community.

Buy-Sell Agreements in Construction – Even More Critical

June 7, 2022 By Phil Truax In Uncategorized No Comments

Lawyers and other professionals talk all the time to Contractors about having good contracts or having their contracts reviewed, and rightfully so. But one contract in particular that every construction business owner needs, and gets overlooked even more, is...

Labor Productivity: Lost & Too Often Forgotten

April 13, 2022 By Phil Truax In Uncategorized No Comments

At a given construction project, there are a number of entitlements for Contractors and Subcontractors – payment for work performed being an obvious one. Another less appreciated entitlement is labor productivity. Every Contractor and Subcontractor...

Lien Waivers: A Subcontractor’s Land Mine

January 12, 2022 By Phil Truax In Uncategorized No Comments

Working in the construction industry comes with numerous risks – many that are outside a contractor’s control, but many (in fact, most) that are. One such risk is waiving rights to liens and claims in the middle of a construction project, through...

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TRUAX LAW GROUP, LTD.

Phil Truax

Founder

I've been around construction my whole life. My dad was a construction engineer, I grew up playing on bulldozers. Then I worked as a laborer and foreman in Cleveland for +5 years getting through college. Then after law school, I've spent 15 years representing contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, owners, and developers - and I really enjoy it. I also work with other businesses and business owners to mine opportunities, manage risk, pursue & defend claims and protect their livelihood. Outside the office, I love spending time with my wife and two kids, coaching youth sports and traveling.

Robert J. Lally

Attorney

I am an attorney with more than 30 years of experience in the areas of construction and design claims, commercial litigation, and negligence liability defense, including professional liability, insurance coverage, municipal liability defense, and employment liability defense. During part of my career, I served as General Counsel of a major engineering/architecture firm in Cleveland. I live in Bay Village with my wife, Beth, and have been blessed with two great kids. I also love live music and Mets baseball (often not so great).

Patrick J. Ertle

Attorney

I am an attorney with over 25 years of legal experience. I served for eight years as the General Legal Counsel for 21 corporations of Cleveland Catholic Charities, which encompassed all legal matters, including real property, construction, employment, board governance, corporate structuring, and risk management. I have spent over 20 years in the Ohio nonprofit sector, involving healthcare, higher education, and human services. In addition, I have extensive experience in estate and business succession planning. My wife Susan and I live in Lakewood and enjoy spending time with our four children and four grandchildren, and we have a shared love of travel. I enjoy watching Cleveland sports and playing golf whenever I can.

Sami Z. Farhat

Attorney

I am a lawyer focusing on construction and business disputes and agreements. I come to Truax Law with about 6 years of experience at other firms in Northeast Ohio. I work closely with the firm’s construction and small business clients. I was born and raised in Greater Cleveland, and I enjoy spending time with my wife and two sons, and can’t get enough of Cleveland sports!

TRUAX LAW