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Jonathan M. Taunton
Partner
Jonathan Taunton focuses his practice on construction law and construction disputes.
Jonathan represents US and international clients, including owners, contractors and designers. His disputes practice spans mediation, arbitration and litigation involving projects in the Middle East, Africa and the US. Representative projects include major international airports, highways, mass transit systems, commercial and residential developments, and oil and gas facilities. Jonathan’s clients include governments, developers, manufacturers, design firms, contractors and subcontractors.
Jonathan’s dispute practice includes appearances in arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, ICE, DIAC, AAA and ad hoc arbitrations. He also represents clients in the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts and advises on disputes before courts in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iraq.
In addition to his dispute-related work, Jonathan has a passion for working with clients before and during projects. He routinely advises on contract negotiations, dispute prevention and as project counsel on all types of projects.
Jonathan also teaches Design & Construction Law to the next generation of outstanding construction lawyers as an adjunct professor at Georgia State University College of Law.
Prior to practicing law, Jonathan served as an officer in the US Marine Corps. Following his time in the Marine Corps, he was a principal in a construction firm in Atlanta, Georgia, where he gained extensive experience as an owner, contractor and subcontractor. Jonathan brings this depth of hands-on industry experience to every engagement.
Jonathan has contributed to numerous construction law journals, including the annual Construction Law Update (Aspen) and Construction Disputes: Practice Guide with Forms (Aspen).
- ICC arbitrations for owner – Representation in several disputes arising from design, construction and delay problems in the construction of a major international airport.
- LCIA arbitration for contractor – Represented contractor on a light rail project in disputes with JV partner.
- ICC arbitration for contractor – Represented contractor on a light rail project in ICC arbitration and settlement negotiations with employer.
- Mediation for contractor – Represented in the mediation of disputes arising from design defects in the construction of a major international highway.
- DIAC arbitration for owners, contractors and designers − Representation of all types of parties in construction disputes at the Dubai International Arbitration Centre.
- Project Counsel for European consortium – Advised a consortium of European contractors during the construction of the Riyadh Metro.
- Project Counsel for major European contractor – Advised in the construction of desalination plants in Oman and Saudi Arabia.
- Project Counsel for owner – Advised during the construction of an oil refinery in Egypt.
- Project Counsel for major European contractor – Advised during the construction of a light rail system in Qatar.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for Abu Dhabi developer − Representation in a third-party neutral evaluation of a multimillion-dollar delay claim in the United Arab Emirates.
- Federal litigation and mediation for pipeline contractor − Representation in US federal court against two affiliated subcontractors in claims related to delays, disputed change orders and millions of dollars in damage to rented heavy equipment.
- State litigation for pipeline contractor − Representation in a dispute regarding cost overruns on an interstate gas pipeline project.
- Federal litigation for electrical subcontractor − Representation in US federal court on an acceleration claim at a US military aviation facility.
- AAA arbitration for locomotive manufacturer − Representation of a major OEM in a dispute over the early termination of a 12-year maintenance agreement with a major US railroad.
- State litigation for owner/contractor − Represented original owner and contractor in defense against construction defect and fraud claims by a third-party purchaser.
Education
- Georgia State University, J.D., magna cum laude, 2010
- Boston University, M.S., 2000
- The Citadel, B.A., 1992
Admissions
- Georgia
- DIFC, Dubai
Courts
- U.S. Dist. Ct., N. Dist. of Georgia
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 and 2024 for Construction Law in Atlanta
- Co-author, “Is force majeure the appropriate cure for Covid-19 disruptions?” Global Construction Review, March 31, 2020.
- Contributing author, “Construction Law in the Arab States of the Gulf Cooperation Council,” Construction Law Update, Aspen, 2016.
- Speaker, “Protect Your Profits: Avoiding and Resolving Disputes in the Construction Industry,” Patton Boggs Construction Dispute Resolution Seminar, April 22, 2014.
- Contributing author, “Southeastern Region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia,” Construction Law Update, Aspen, 2011.