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- About this Course -

How does an engineering firm survive and thrive in a business environment fraught with risk? Consulting engineers often are asked to navigate the competing interests of clients, subs, and insurance companies all while managing the risk of the firm with overall business performance.

The Essentials of Risk Management for Consulting Engineers is an eight-module online course offering you a deeper understanding of the fundamental elements of risk management, from contracts to the standard of care and everything in between. Designed specifically for AEC industry, our faculty of experts will guide participants in managing project risk and share critical insights, tips, and tools they've learned from spending decades "in the trenches."

This course is designed for consulting engineering firms of any size or discipline. Small and Medium size firms without in-house counsel or any formal risk management programs will find this program particularly useful.

"This was the best session I’ve taken since college. I have already implemented a number of items from this training and have recommended this to each of my team members. Thank you!!"

"This was an excellent learning opportunity for anyone interested in taking a deep dive into contract risk management, insurance, liability, standard of care, and a lot more. This was like taking a 400-college level course! If someone is really interested in expanding their knowledge in the subject of Risk Management, this would be a great course to take!"

"Faculty was EXTREMELY knowledgeable and engaging. They all have a knack for explaining concepts in a very succinct and digestible way."

"What a great course. I knew my firms had a risk management committee but didn't know what they really did or looked at when reviewing non standard contracts. I know much more now than I did before and plan to joint the RM committee at my firm. I appreciated all the experts that were included as instructors."

"I thought the course was really good, especially the contract review and insurance portions. I learned a lot about what to look for in contracts and what language to use in place of unacceptable terms."

"I found the combination of learning methods (recorded, small group, live sessions) to be very effective together, the total being more than the sum of its parts. I really liked the small group component for connecting me to others doing similar work and increasing homework comprehension."

"It was obvious over the course of this class that the faculty are all subject matter experts and highly knowledgeable. I am impressed with the collection of instructors for this course and will recommend this to others in my organization."

- Course Overview -

Module 1: Introduction to Risk Management and Course Overview

Module 2: Professional Services Contracting – Part 1

Module 3: Professional Services Contracting – Part 2

Module 4: Managing Risk Posed by Subconsultants and Subcontractors

Module 5: Spearin and the Standard of Care: How Good Does a Design Have to Be?

Module 6: Engineers’ Business Insurance

Module 7: Changes, Claims, and Disputes in Professional Services Contracts and Construction Contracts

Module 8: Engineers’ Risk Management in Alternative Project Delivery

Detailed Course Outline
Woman at Computer 2

- Course Format -

 

Combining recorded lectures with live, interactive sessions led by experienced industry practitioners, this eight-module program covers the critical topics every A/E professional needs to know to mitigate risk.

Access recorded lectures anytime via computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Assess your understanding of risk management concepts with small group assignments and quizzes.

Attend weekly live sessions with instructors for Q&A and discussion of application of lessons to actual project experience

Participants will earn 23 PDHs!

Meet Your Instructors

Course Leaders & Faculty Members

jerry_cavaluzzi
Jerry Cavaluzzi, Esq.

Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer
Kennedy/Jenks Consultants

kevin_obeirne
Kevin O'Beirne, PE

National Manager of Engineering Specifications, HDR
ACEC delegate to EJCDC

Hear from our lead instructors, Jerry Cavaluzzi and Kevin O'Beirne, as they discuss this course's unique structure and key takeaways.

Additional Faculty Members

  • Jim Brown, PE, Vice President, Arcadis; ACEC delegate to EJCDC
  • Peter Coote, PE, Esq., General Counsel, Pennoni
  • Karen Erger, Esq., Senior Vice President and Director of Practice Risk Management, Lockton Companies
  • Bruce Firkins, PE, LS, Senior Principal Engineer, Bolton & Menk; NSPE delegate to EJCDC
  • Jim Lowe, Esq., (BSCE.), Vice President and Senior Assistant General Counsel, AECOM

Frequently Asked Questions

Participants can expect to spend 4-5 hours a week on a combination of pre-recorded lectures, small group assignments, and live sessions with the instructors.

Ready to Manage your Firm's Risk?

Course Begins September 10, 2025

$1,245 ACEC Members | $1,595 Non-Members

Register

Questions? Please email Maureen Brown