As we celebrate our firm’s 50th anniversary, we are celebrating the people that make our firm great. Enjoy getting to know more about construction law attorney, Aaron Abelleira.
Are you involved in any legal or community organizations? How does this involvement contribute to your practice?
I have the distinct pleasure of being a member of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association, and I have also been a committee member for the Minnesota Construction Association for a couple of years now, and I believe that both of these distinct non-profit groups have given me insight into what my fellow attorneys are involved with legally, as well as a more nuanced understanding of what issues contractors navigate in today’s ever-changing legal landscape.
Can you provide a brief overview of your legal background and areas of expertise?
I devote 100% of my practice to clients in defense matters involving complex and multi-party litigation matters in the area of construction law, but I will occasionally delve into construction-adjacent matters. For example, when a worker is injured on a construction project, or when an employer is sued by a negligent property owner, clients rely on my expertise to adjust and refocus my legal acumen as needed. Otherwise, I am a meat-and-potatoes payment-dispute construction attorney who truly values the relationships I have built and continue to build in the construction community.
What is your favorite part about being a Construction Law Attorney?
The people. Whether it be contractors, engineers, material suppliers, individual employees or their insurers, I truly appreciate assisting folks with their legal and/or construction needs. I am proud to provide valuable insights from my experience as a construction worker, which has truly defined my understanding of contractors and their disputes as a construction attorney. I also would be remiss if I did not mention the amazing construction practice group I am honored to learn and grow from here at Arthur Chapman.
Do you have any interesting stories, memories you’d like to highlight?
Where do I begin?!? A former mentor of mine once told me that I have to be prepared to take the “No.” At the time, I thought this related directly to the legal task I was performing, but I have come to understand it in a much more profound way. Say for example I am working on a settlement agreement, and the other side refuses to budge on a specific issue or term. Instead of beating my head against the wall—with the hopes that the other side will come around—I have learned to take the No, make concessions when appropriate, and refocus my efforts on securing the best deal possible based on the confines of reality. Understanding that you can’t win every argument can truly build rapport, drive value and set you and your client up for success.
