Owen Newman

Partner

  • Owen Newman
  • Phone: +1 312 499 6721

    Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris LLP
    190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3700
    Chicago, IL 60603-3433
    USA

Owen Newman is a litigation attorney focusing on complex, multijurisdictional disputes and is Co-Chair of the International Disputes Division of Duane Morris' Trial practice group. Mr. Newman advises clients in high-value disputes with particular focus on large-scale engineering and construction projects in the Power Generation and Oil & Gas sectors. He has represented clients in disputes around the world, including Africa, Asia, North America and the Middle East and acted as counsel under the rules of the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, UNCITRAL, AAA, SCC as well as ad hoc arbitrations in India and Saudi Arabia.

In addition to formal dispute resolution, Mr. Newman’s construction and engineering clients value his previous experience as a project manager and regional director for a global engineering and construction contractor. This ‘dirty boots’ experience allows Mr. Newman to partner with clients and their project teams to provide practical commercial, claims and risk management support for some of his client’s most financially and reputationally-significant projects.

Mr. Newman is a 2003 graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law and a graduate of Luther College.

Areas of Practice

  • International Arbitration
  • Energy and Construction Law

Representative Matters

  • Vietnam: Provided day-to-day commercial and legal support for EPC contractor’s project team on a 600MW coal-fired power plant in Vietnam. Led the development of claims for extensions of time and additional costs exceeding $60 million.

  • India: Supported EPC contractor’s project team with day-to-day commercial and risk management issues, and led development of claims for extension of time and additional costs, on LNG regasification terminal and processing facility in India.

  • India: Defending an EPC Contractor in ad-hoc Indian Arbitration from schedule and cost claims advanced by a Consortium partner with respect to an LNG regasification terminal and processing facility in India.

  • Indonesia: Developed claims for extension of time on behalf of EPC contractor on a 600MW coal-fired power plant located in Indonesia.

  • Poland: Supporting US based manufacturer with drafting and negotiating FIDIC-related contracts associated with construction of an overseas manufacturing facility in Poland.

  • Egypt: Acted on behalf of consulting engineer in UNCITRAL arbitration to recover unpaid invoices for design and engineering works associated with water treatment facilities in Egypt.

  • Philippines: Represented Owner with respect to EPC contractor’s claims for extension of time and additional costs arising out of construction of a coal-fired power plant in the Philippines. Assisted the Owner in responding to the claims and reaching a mutually beneficial settlement that contributed to a successful and timely Project delivery.

  • LCIA and SIAC (Singapore International Arbitration Centre): Acted on behalf of EPC Contrator in Arbitrations venued before the LCIA and SIAC for claims arising out of the construction of combined cycle power plant in Singapore. Primary responsibilities included managing document review and organization, discovery process, witness interviews and drafting witness statements.

  • ICC Arbitration venued in London, UK: Acted on behalf of Design Engineer to recover engineering services provided pursuant to limited notice to proceed. Second chaired final hearing where client obtained judgment awarding 95% of claimed amounts, including legal fees and arbitration costs.

  • Saudi Arabia: Acted on behalf of EPC Contractor to recover schedule and productivity losses incurred during performance of works associated with debottlenecking of natural gas processing facility in Saudi Arabia. Case resolved with settlement after more than four years of Arbitral proceedings.

  • SCC (Stockholm Chamber of Commerce): Acted on behalf of Design Engineer in filing of SCC claims for unpaid amounts related to design and engineering work performed on an oil refinery in the Russian Federation. Obtained settlement following claim filing.

  • Kansas City, KS. State Court: Acted on behalf of Design Engineer in litigation arising out of preliminary design engineering related to ethanol and biodiesel facilities.

  • Lake Charles, LA: Acted on behalf of EPC Contractor in disputes with subcontractor arising out of the design and construction of a 50,000 bbl sphere.

  • AAA Arbitration venued in Chicago, Il.: Acted on behalf of General Contractor in Arbitration related to faulty installation of concrete slab and terrazzo flooring. First chaired final hearing.

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Kansas
  • Missouri

Education

  • University of Kansas School of Law, J.D., 2003
  • Luther College, B.A., 1995

Experience

  • Duane Morris LLP
    - Partner, 2021-present
    - Special Counsel, 2017-2020
  • Black & Veatch
    - Associate Vice President and Commercial Director, GCC, 2015-2016
    - Project Manager, Power Island, Kusile Power Station, South Africa, 2013-2015
    - Director of Risk Management, Energy Services, 2011-2013
  • Warden Grier LLP
    - Partner, 2010-2011
    - Associate, 2004-2010

Honors and Awards

  • Named a BTI Client Service All-Star Attorney, 2022 and 2023

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, "Schedule Dispute Issues and How to Avoid Them," American Association of Cost Engineers Chicago Midwest Section Webinar, February 11, 2021