ACEC Defends Key Liability Protection Principle In Nevada Case Involving Las Vegas Resort ACEC/Nevada President Allen Gray takes "strong step" ACEC is aggressively seeking to defend the important Economic Loss Doctrine through an amicus brief filed with the Nevada Supreme Court in the case of Terracon v. Mandalay Resort Group. The Economic Loss Doctrine helps shield design professionals against unfair monetary judgments that are disproportionate to the level of services provided or the proper allocation of liability. In the case before the Nevada court, where the client and the engineering firm had previously agreed by contract to limitations on the engineering firm's liability, the doctrine would bar the client from using tort law to bypass the contract's limits. Mandalay is seeking extraordinary damages from the geotechnical engineering firm Terracon for economic losses that Mandalay suffered when the project experienced earth subsidence, even though the contract between the parties limited Terracon's liability. The brief was filed jointly with AIA, NSPE, ASFE, ASCE, ACEC/Nevada, and the ACEC Design Professionals Coalition. The Las Vegas law firm of Beckley Singleton and ACEC affiliate member law firm Morris Polich & Purdy co-authored the brief. ACEC's financial backing for the brief was provided through grants from DPC, ACEC/Nevada, and the ACEC Minuteman Fund. The ACEC Legal Counsels Forum also reviewed the brief and provided comments. "Helping to defend the Economic Loss Doctrine is a prime example of the kind of benefit that ACEC provides to its members," said ACEC/Nevada President Allen Gray. "ACEC/Nevada is glad that ACEC and the other organizations have taken such a strong step to protect the design professionals of this state."

Twenty States Have Now Crossed ACEC/PAC Finish Line; Seven Closing In ACEC/MD President Harvey Floyd (left) and ACEC/MD Executive Director Jim Otradovec deliver PAC contributions to ACEC President Dave Raymond. ACEC/Virginia, ACEC/Maryland and ACEC/Connecticut are congratulated on reaching their 2006 PAC fundraising goals so vital to the political strength of the engineering industry. Twenty states have now achieved their annual ACEC/PAC fundraising goals, and seven more are nearing the finish line. "We're the 'little state that could'," said Tom Ahneman of ACEC/Connecticut on reaching the goal for the first time. "ACEC is making great progress in growing its political program effectively to support its aggressive advocacy program, and we're proud to be a part of the effort." ACEC/PAC Champion and former ACEC Chairman Dan DeYoung led the successful fundraising drive that propelled ACEC/Virginia over the finish line for the second year in a row. "Virginia members have a strong desire to do our part for ACEC/PAC because Virginia recognizes that without a strong legislative advocacy program our businesses would suffer," said DeYoung. ACEC/Maryland President Harvey Floyd, Executive Director Jim Otradovec, along with ACEC/PAC Champion Fred Wagner and his predecessor, Kunal Gangopadhyay of EBA Engineering, were all instrumental in helping ACEC/Maryland reach its goal for the second consecutive year. Virgina ACEC/PAC Champion Dan DeYoung Connecticut ACEC/PAC Champion Tom Ahneman "Our advocacy efforts on key issues affecting our businesses will only be effective if we have good legislators with whom to work," Floyd said. A number of other states are also very close to meeting their 2006 goals, including Alabama, Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, Metro Washington, Ohio, and Massachusetts.

Want To Know What You Don't Know? A $400 Gift Is Yours Free To Find Out For just a little time and effort the latest A/E/C industry market information can be at your fingertips free of charge. Simply complete the 2007-2008 Design & Construction Industry Trends Survey questionnaire that was recently mailed to all Member Firms, or click here to take the survey electronically. Do so by January 15 and receive a FREE electronic copy of the survey results—a $400 value. ACEC's Design & Construction Industry Trends Survey provides current statistics on Member Firm business practices, finances, profitability, and emerging trends. The survey not only presents basic financial and employment data, but also important facts on current management concerns, project delivery, and key legislative trends. If you did not obtain the results of last year's ACEC Design & Construction Industry Trends Survey, here's a sample of what you missed: Leadership transition is one of the most pressing concerns for participating firms—but 36 percent of firms do not have a written transition plan. QBS, liability and standard of care, diversification, IT and computer modeling, and alternative delivery systems are the five most important practice issues for Member Firms. More than 50 percent of respondents cited the lack of qualified engineers and employee retention as critical concerns for their firms in the next five years. To receive a FREE electronic copy of the new 2007-2008 Design & Construction Industry Survey, just complete and return the questionnaire recently mailed to all Member Firms. Or complete the questionnaire online by clicking here. For further information, please contact Jill Holcomb, manager, Education Technical Support, jholcomb@acec.org.

Sign Up Now For ACEC's 2007-2008 National Committees ACEC members are encouraged to sign up for service on ACEC National committees for the annual term beginning at ACEC's Spring Convention in May 2007. Participation on ACEC committees brings vitality to the Council and ensures that the issues and interests of members are brought into Council operations. Most of ACEC's committees are "open" (i.e., sign up and you're on!). A few require appointment by the incoming ACEC chairman, so register to request an appointment. Open and appointive committees are listed below. Click here to view Committee goals or to apply (even if you currently serve on a committee and wish to continue). Committee applications are due January 19, 2007. Open Committees Contract Documents Committee Environment & Energy Committee Federal Agencies & Procurement     Advocacy Committee Institute for Business Management     Committee Accreditation & Student Records     Sub-Committee Licensure Sub-Committee Peer Review Sub-Committee* SEI Alumni Committee International Committee Management Practices Committee Association Partners     Sub-Committee Quality Sub-Committee Membership Committee      Public Relations Committee Risk Management Committee Tax and Regulatory Affairs     Committee Transportation Committee Appointive Committees Engineering Excellence Awards     Committee Planning Cabinet Conference Curriculum     Sub-Committee Professional Conduct Committee Bylaws & Procedures Committee ACEC/AASHTO Joint Committee Tellers Committee *Must be employees of Peer Reviewed firms.

BDC Set for March 7-10, Portland, Ore.; Register Now for A Wealth of Useful Information Business of Design Consulting March 7-10, Portland, Ore. The Business of Design Consulting (BDC) program is unique in the A/E industry. This intensive four-day program offers engineering firm executives and managers state-of-the-art expertise from leading practitioners who specialize in the A/E environment. An engineering firm president who attended the most recent BDC in Las Vegas praised the seminar as: "Outstanding! This program should be required for all A/E firm leaders and decision makers... A wealth of useful information… Well-planned, well-executed, well worth the time." Click here for more information and to register.

January Online Seminars January 10: The Business Case for Sustainable Engineering Practice Bill Wallace, Wallace Futures Group LLC Click here for more information and to register. January 17: Identifying Future Leaders Dan Ryan, The Human Capital Group, Inc. Click here for more information and to register. January 24: Developing and Implementing Winning Strategies for Engineers, Architects and Construction Companies Clare Ross, Clare Ross Associates Click here for more information and to register. January 31: Proven Strategies for Enhancing Performance Deb Bright, Bright Enterprises Click here for more information and to register. Online seminars are highly focused 1-1/2-hour learning sessions presented by industry experts, delivered in real time through internet access and telephone audio. Participants earn 1.5 PDHs, with a single fee covering one participant or a whole roomful.

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