W. Hensell Harris, Jr.

Partner

Telephone: (770) 956-1700
Email: hensell.harris@wshpc.net

 

Mr. Harris, as a founding member of WSH, has significant experience as a construction attorney representing contractors, subcontractors, sureties, owners, architects and engineers in all facets of construction law, including Federal, State and Local Government contract issues. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Harris’ personal background commenced with an emphasis in mechanical design and construction, including four years’ design experience in HVAC and plumbing design and construction supervision.  Substantial construction work experience was gained on major construction projects, including Watergate, HUD Headquarters and Veterans Administration Hospital, Washington, D.C.  Mr. Harris’ experience as a construction attorney includes the design and construction of airports, automobile assembly plants, ethanol plants, chemical plants, shopping centers, hotels, parking decks (including design and construction of bonded post tensioning), wastewater treatment plants, water treatment plants, roller coasters, electric power plants, refineries, highways, port facilities, high rise office and hotel projects, condominiums and waste paper recycling plants.  Major arbitration and litigation cases include the New Orleans SuperDome; Georgia World Congress Center; Tennessee Valley Authority Office of Power, Chattanooga Tennessee; Corvette Automobile Assembly Plant, Bowling Green, Kentucky; New Orleans World Fair. Cases have involved breach of contract, delays, inefficiencies and acceleration claims, as well as professional architectural and engineering malpractice claims, with many cases involving mechanical, civil, electrical and structural engineering issues. Mr. Harris’ current practice is primarily focused on representation of architects and engineers in professional liability defense matters, but he also represents and advises project owners and contractors. 

Mr. Harris has served as a mediator and arbitrator on many construction arbitrations and has represented parties in dozens construction related arbitrations, including a $100 million dollar dispute.  Mr. Harris was responsible for drafting the 1978 Georgia Construction Arbitration Act passed by the Georgia General Assembly, which forms the basis of the current Georgia Arbitration Statute.  Mr. Harris also taught the Construction Law  class in the evenings through the Building Construction Department at the Georgia Institute of Technology College of Architecture for 20 years.

 

 

Education

  • Georgia Institute of Technology, B.S. Mechanical Engineering

  • Emory University, J.D.

Bar and Courts

  • Georgia State Bar

  • North Carolina State Bar

  • Georgia Court of Appeals

  • Georgia Supreme Court

  • United States District Court for Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Georgia

  • Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

  • United States Supreme Court

Other Affiliations

  • former Assistant Attorney General, State of Georgia

  • Licensed Professional Engineer, Georgia (1971)

  • Designated as Super Lawyer for Georgia in Construction (2003-2018)

  • Designated as Best Lawyers in America in Construction Law/Construction Litigation

  • National Construction Industry Panel, American Arbitration Association

  • Lawyers Club of Atlanta

  • Old Warhorse Lawyers Club