Bert Chollet

Shareholder

Nashville
T: 615.726.5741
F: 615.726.0464

Bert Chollet practices in all areas of construction law.

Professional Biography

Bert Chollet is a shareholder in Baker Donelson's Nashville office and a member of the Construction Group.

Bert brings a wealth of experience in counseling clients in the construction industry. He provides a full range of transaction and dispute resolution services in connection with projects located throughout the United States and internationally.

Bert's representative experience includes numerous industries such as advanced manufacturing, electric vehicle, health, hospitality, energy, and government contracts, among others. As a member of Baker Donelson's Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure Team, Bert is deeply engaged in representing clients operating in and adjacent to the electric vehicle and electrification industries. He represents OEMs and manufacturers in EV battery and component manufacturing projects and advises clients concerning related infrastructure and development projects. He adeptly assists his clients in navigating a wide variety of matters, including but not limited to contract negotiation, litigation and arbitration, project disputes relating to delays, impact and quantum claims, change order disputes, design claims, mechanics liens, surety bond claims, bid disputes, wrongful termination, and MBE and DBE matters.

Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Bert practiced at law firms in Chicago, Illinois and Memphis, Tennessee. Before practicing law, he served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Holly M. Kirby. Bert joined Baker Donelson in January 2020.

Advised a foreign-based contractor in connection with an EPC petrochemical contract in excess of $1 billion.
Advised a foreign-based owner in the negotiation of a design-build contract for an electric vehicle battery plant in excess of $1 billion.
Advised a foreign-based owner in the negotiation of design and construction contracts for an automobile component manufacturing facility in excess of $30 million.
Advised a foreign-based owner in the negotiation of a design-build contract for an electric vehicle component manufacturing facility in excess of $10 million.
Represented a general contractor in connection with contract disputes arising out of construction of an automotive component manufacturing facility, receiving an award of over $17 million at trial.
Represented a foreign owner in connection with defense of a $52 million delay claim arising out of the construction of a consumer goods manufacturing facility.
Advised a hospital in connection with contract negotiation and contract claims arising out of the construction of numerous MOB, ambulatory, and other related facilities projects.
Advised a developer in connection with contract disputes arising out of a $190 million hospitality project.
Represented a large commodities supplier in numerous contract disputes and contract negotiations throughout the United States.
Advised a defense contractor in connection with the negotiation of contracts and claims arising out of an ordnance manufacturing facility.
Advised an owner in connection with the negotiation of contracts and claims arising out of $10 million consumer goods project.

Recognized in 2019 Emerging Lawyers in Illinois under 40 for Construction Law
Chicago Building Congress Future Leaders
National Bond Claims Association
Forum on the Construction Industry

"Fast-Track Construction Strategies For Manufacturers," Industry Today (September 2022)
"Navigating Lost Productivity Claims," Construction Client Alert
"Delegated Design and the Black Hole of the Inartfully Drafted Contract," Construction Client Alert
"Recent Appellate Court Ruling Potentially Increases Sureties' Performance Bond Exposure In Illinois For Payment Claims," Construction Client Alert
"The Sovereign Act Doctrine and Federal Contracts," Construction Client Alert
"Preserving Mechanics' Lien Rights in Bankruptcy Proceedings," Construction Client Alert
"Illinois Construction Law," HKL Global Communications, Inc.
"The Potential Expansion of Subdivision Bond Liability on Public Projects: The Illinois Supreme Court's Decision in Lake County Grading, Co., LLC v. Village Of Antioch," Surety Claims Institute
"Case Update: Providing Clarity For Differing Site Conditions Claims On Federal Design-Build Projects," Construction Client Alert
"The Reallocation of Risk for Differing Site Conditions in Metcalf Construction Company, Inc. v. United States," Construction Client Alert
"Securing the Road to Nowhere: When Subdivision Bond Payments Constitute Economic Waste or an Unreasonable Windfall to the Obligee," International Association of Defense Counsel Fidelity & Surety Committee Newsletter
"Obtaining Judicial Relief From an Improper Arbitration Award on the Basis of Corruption, Fraud, Undue Means, the Failure to Hear Material Evidence, or Other Misbehavior Prejudicing the Rights of a Party," Construction Briefings, Thomson/West
"Enabling the Gaze: Public Access and the Withdrawal of Tennessee's Proposed Rule of Civil Procedure 1A," University of Memphis Law Review, Volume 36, Book 3

"Tips in Dealing with Bankruptcy," Midwest Construction Claims Conference
"Considerations for the Surety's Analysis and Preparation of its Principal's Affirmative Claims," National Bond Claims Association
"Contract Change Provisions," Lorman Education Services seminar
"Troubled Developments: Surety Bond and Lien Claims," Illinois Institute for Local Government Law, 18th Annual Conference, Naperville, Illinois
"Troubled Developments in a Troubled Economy," American Public Works Association, Schaumburg, Illinois
"Mechanics Liens," and "The Illinois Bond Act," Lorman Education Services seminar, "Construction Lien Law in Illinois," Orland Park, Illinois

Baker Donelson Announces 11 Newly Elected Shareholders (April 13, 2022)
Baker Donelson Adds Construction Attorney Bert Chollet (February 5, 2020)

Newly Elected Nashville Shareholders Bert Chollet, Andy Droke and Ryan Richards Featured in Nashville Post (April 18, 2022)

Practices

Industries

Construction

Education

University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, J.D., 2005
- Notes and Comments Editor – University of Memphis Law Review
Carson-Newman University, B.A., 2001

Admissions

Tennessee, 2005
Illinois, 2007

Featured Media

Newly Elected Nashville Shareholders Bert Chollet, Andy Droke and Ryan Richards Featured in Nashville Post

News / April 18, 2022

Baker Donelson Announces 11 Newly Elected Shareholders

Press Release / April 13, 2022

Baker Donelson Adds Construction Attorney Bert Chollet

Press Release / February 5, 2020

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Baker Donelson is a national law firm with more than 650 attorneys and public policy advisors representing more than 30 practice areas to serve a wide range of legal needs. Clients receive knowledgeable guidance from experienced, multi-disciplined industry and client service teams, all seamlessly connected across 22 offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.