Managing Risks for Architects CEU

When:

September 18, 2024 at 6:30pm – 7:30pm EDT

People:

Wojciech 'Voytek' Jackowski

Location:

Offit Kurman Attorneys at Law

590 Madison Ave, 6th Floor, NY, NY 10022

The architectural profession inherently involves various risks, from legal liabilities and project management challenges to financial uncertainties, coordination, and design failures. Understanding and managing these risks is crucial for the success and longevity of an architect’s career and practice. This program, sponsored by The Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) and hosted by Offit Kurman, will focus on the critical issues in design professionals practice, interactions with architectural clients and consultants, dedicated to equipping architects with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate and mitigate these risks effectively. 

Key Topics:

  1. Legal and Contractual Risks:
  • Understanding key contractual terms and clauses
  • Strategies for negotiating favorable contracts
  • Managing disputes and avoiding litigation
  1. Project Management and Delivery Risks:
  • Best practices in project planning and execution
  • Risk management in the design and construction phases
  • Quality control and assurance measures
  1. Financial and Insurance Risks:
  • Financial planning and budgeting for architectural projects
  • Professional liability insurance: what you need to know
  • Managing client expectations and payment schedules
  1. Design and Technical Risks:
  • Ensuring compliance with building codes and regulations
  • Addressing environmental and sustainability considerations
  • Innovations in design technology, including artificial intelligence, and their associated risks

Speaker:

  • Voytek Jackowski, Principal and Shareholder, Offit Kurman

Who Should Attend:

  • Architects / Interior Design Professionals /
  • Architectural firm owners and managers
  • Project managers and coordinators
  • Design consultants 

Benefits of Attending:

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the various risks associated with architectural practice
  • Learn practical strategies for contractual provisions which can help manage risk
  • Understand ways to provide construction phase services to limit risks of claims
  • Learn how to work with consultants to limit risks
  • Network with peers and industry experts
  • Stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in risk management

Firm Highlights

  • Events
    AIA Tri-State Conference
    Princeton will serve as the backdrop for three days of connection, learning, and design leadership. From keynotes to tours to the Tri-State Design Awards, this year’s conference is designed to go far beyond education sessions. Kick off the week with pre-conference intensives and individual state component Design Award celebrations, followed by three days of education, inspiration, networking, and design excellence at the 2026 AIA Tri-State Conference—featuring pre-conference intensives, three keynote speakers, 25 education sessions, curated tours, an expo, spec academies, and the AIA Tri-State Design Awards—bringing together architects and design professionals from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to connect, learn, and celebrate the best of the profession. G2. Designing Secure Practices: Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Contractual Provisions, and Insurance Risks for Architects (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) Architects and design professionals increasingly rely on cloud platforms, BIM software, and digital tools to manage sensitive data, creating cybersecurity and privacy risks. A single incident can trigger liability claims, regulatory obligations, reputational harm, and insurance challenges. Yet many firms underestimate how contracts, insurance, and internal practices intersect during a breach. This program offers legal and insurance perspectives on cyber risk in architecture, examining liability exposure, risky contract provisions, and mitigation strategies. A cyber insurance expert will explain policy responses, coverage gaps, coordination with professional liability, and best practices for aligning insurance with contractual risk and protecting firms from evolving cyber threats. Learning Objectives: Identify key cybersecurity and data privacy risks faced by architecture firms and explain how these risks can impact professional liability and project outcomes. Analyze common contractual provisions to determine which clauses may increase exposure to cyber incidents and propose strategies to mitigate these risks. Evaluate the scope and limitations of cyber insurance policies, including coordination with professional liability coverage, to determine how a policy would respond in a breach scenario. Develop actionable risk management strategies by integrating legal, contractual, and insurance considerations to protect sensitive client and project data.