• videocam Live Webinar with Live Q&A
  • calendar_month September 23, 2026 @ 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT
  • signal_cellular_alt Intermediate
  • card_travel Real Property - Transactions
  • schedule 90 minutes

Progressive Design-Build in Construction: Risks and Benefits, Project Selection, Key Contractual Provisions

About the Course

Introduction

This CLE webinar will examine the progressive design-build (PDB) project delivery method that has increased in popularity in recent years, especially for large construction projects with lengthy timelines. The panel will discuss the PDB model structure, address the advantages and disadvantages of using this model as compared to more traditional models, and offer best practices for drafting key contractual provisions when selecting this structure.

Description

Project delivery methods continue to evolve in the construction industry away from the design-bid-build method to the traditional design-build (DB) method and more recently to the PDB method that has increased in popularity in recent years. Counsel should understand the PDB model structure, the risks and benefits to choosing this project delivery method over others, and key contractual considerations.  

The PDB model primarily differs from the traditional DB model in contract structure, timing of pricing negotiations, and level of party collaboration. While DB projects typically involve a fixed-price, lump-sum contract for design and construction, PDB projects begin with a qualifications-based selection of the design-builder and progress to a design and price negotiation between the design-builder and owner. 

In addition to understanding the PDB process, counsel should consider how the PDB structure impacts key contractual provisions in the construction agreements—including those involving risk allocation, insurance coverage, change order procedures, and dispute resolution—and draft accordingly to best protect their clients' interests.

Listen as our authoritative panel provides a comprehensive overview of the PDB project delivery method, discusses its advantages and disadvantages, and offers best practices for drafting key contractual provisions when using this structure.

Presented By

Eric D. Brill
Attorney
K&L Gates, LLP

Mr. Brill is a member of the Construction and Infrastructure Practice Group. He focuses his practice on complex commercial and construction litigation. In that role, Mr. Brill has represented owners, developers, general contractors, and subcontractors in oil-and-gas disputes, design-defect claims, and public procurement matters in state and federal court, and various administrative boards. He has also regularly represented clients in complex commercial litigation involving breaches of contract, fraud, various consumer protection acts, employment matters, and business tort claims.

William D. Wickard
Of Counsel
K&L Gates, LLP

Mr. Wickard is a construction lawyer, concentrating his practice on dispute resolution, construction contract negotiation, and public procurement. He has a very active procurement practice, handling local, state, and federal bid protest proceedings throughout the country and advising clients on a multitude of issues that arise during and after the procurement process. He also has familiarity with public records and sunshine acts and routinely assists clients obtain public records or maintain the confidentiality of their own information submitted to public agencies. Mr. Wickard’s litigation practice includes representing clients in disputes subject to arbitration, before a number of state and federal courts and before government agencies with respect to a wide variety of matters. He has extensive construction litigation experience and has represented owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, engineers, and architects in various disputes involving scheduling, delay, inefficiency claims, defective work, mechanics’ liens, prompt payment claims, bond and insurance claims. Mr. Wickard also has a very active construction transaction practice. He drafts, negotiates and advises on all types of construction and design contracts. He has extensive experience with all AIA contract forms. He has drafted and negotiated numerous construction and design contracts for a wide variety of domestic and international projects.

Emma R. Wolfe
Partner
K&L Gates, LLP

Ms. Wolfe practices in the firm’s Construction and Infrastructure Practice Group, focusing on assisting clients with a variety of contract and construction disputes. These disputes involve a range of issues, including those related to design and construction defect, warranty, termination, disruption and delay, regulatory and code violations, interconnection, licensing, liens, leases, tenancy, and payment. She has handled issues in the energy industry related to coal, natural gas, onshore wind, offshore wind, solar, geothermal, and other projects. In addition, she has worked on issues for clients in the manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, finance, technology, and hospitality industries. Ms. Wolfe has significant experience in U.S. federal and state courts as well as in arbitrations seated in the U.S. and around the world, taking her client’s disputes through jury trials, bench trials, and final hearings. She leverages this experience in tandem with her industry knowledge to craft a litigation and dispute resolution approach intended to put her clients in a position to achieve effective resolutions and satisfy their business goals, whether that means achieving favorable settlements, securing precedent-setting decision, or taking the case to a tribunal or jury.

Credit Information
  • This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.


  • Live Online


    On Demand

Date + Time

  • event

    Wednesday, September 23, 2026

  • schedule

    1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT

I. Introduction

II. PDB overview

A. PDB model structure

B. Benefits and risks

C. When to select PDB for the project

D. PDB 2025 AIA contract updates

III. Key drafting considerations for PDB projects

A. Risk allocation 

B. Insurance

C. Change order procedures

D. Dispute resolution

E. Others

IV. Practitioner takeaways

The panel will review these and other important considerations:

  • How does the PDB project delivery method differ from more traditional methods such as design-bid-build and DB?
  • What are the advantages to using the PDB structure? Disadvantages?
  • For what types of projects should counsel and clients consider using the PDB method?
  • How does using the PDB method impact key contractual provisions? What are best practices for drafting these provisions?