Laura Bowman’s practice focuses on the preparation of construction project documents on behalf of private and public owners.

Laura provides guidance on project delivery systems, including construction manager at risk and design-build, and creates procurement and bidding documents as well as construction project contracts. Her experience also includes advising public owners on compliance with Ohio statutory requirements relating to construction bidding and procurement. Project values vary from less than $100,000 to over $1 billion.

Laura’s experience includes providing construction legal counsel services to over 40 libraries in Ohio including renovation or addition projects, design/construction of new main library and branch library buildings, as well as projects to update building systems. Her work includes urgent necessity projects, preparing statutory bidding and contract documents per ORC Section 3375.41, as well as requests for qualifications, requests for proposals and agreements with architects, engineers, contractors, construction managers, design-builders, construction managers at risk, vendors, owner's representatives and consultants.

Laura also has worked on a wide range of healthcare construction projects, from renovations of existing hospital spaces to new construction of stand-alone medical facilities. Her practice includes preparing requests for qualifications, requests for proposals and agreements with architects, engineers, contractors, construction managers, design-builders, construction managers at risk, vendors, owner's representatives and consultants for private and public hospitals and health systems. She has also presented internal training to clients related to construction procurement laws and best practices.

Additionally, Laura represents a variety of other public and private entities in Ohio. She has worked on agreements for private developers, building and office renovations for 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) entities; renovation and new build projects for cities, villages, townships, libraries, counties and port authorities; jail construction and renovation projects; water/wastewater construction projects; and event center projects.

Previously, Laura served as an extern in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and worked in national marketing for the PBS television show American Experience.

Education

The Ohio State University, J.D., cum laude (2012); Ohio State Law Journal

Wellesley College, B.A., cum laude (2006)

Distinctions

Up & Coming, Chambers USA – Construction (2022–2024)

Ohio Women’s Bar Foundation’s Leadership Institute (Class of 2022–2023)

Rising Star, Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters® – Ohio, Construction Litigation (2020–2022)

Professional Activities

Past Member, Bricker & Eckler Recruiting Committee

Past Member, Bricker & Eckler Summer Associate Committee

Past Member, Bricker & Eckler Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Past Admissions Representative, Columbus Wellesley Club Board

News

Speaking Engagements

Publications

Additional Items

• Co-Presenter, "Construction Contracting Pitfalls: Key Contract Terms and What They Mean," Ohio Hospital Association Annual Meeting (June 2024)
• Speaker, "Planning, Funding, and Building Your Community Initiatives: How to Access and Manage $2.4B in New State Funds," 2024 Ohio City/County Management Association (OCMA) Conference (February 2024)  
• Speaker, "FREE Webinar for Libraries: How to Hire an Architect – Mind your RFQs," Bricker Graydon Webinar (January 2024)
• Speaker, “Beginning a Project: Decision Points,” 21st Annual Bricker Graydon Top Gun Construction Claims Seminar (October 2023)
• Panelist, "Q&A Session with Panel of Experts," Ohio Library Council’s Library Facilities Conference (July 2023)
• Co-Speaker, "Construction Manager at Risk: Legal Requirements & Practical Realities," Ohio Library Council’s Library Facilities Conference (July 2023)
• Co-Speaker, "Streamlining Construction Procurement," Ohio Library Council’s Library Facilities Conference (July 2023)
• Speaker, "2023 Construction Cost Escalation and Supply," Ohio Hospital Association Annual Meeting (June 2023)
• Speaker, "CMR & Design-Build Procurement," Bricker Graydon Construction Procurement for Public Entities in Ohio Seminar (May 2023)
• Speaker, “Beginning a Project: Decision Points,” 20th Annual Bricker & Eckler Top Gun Construction Claims Seminar (October 2022)
• Speaker, “Bidding and Beyond: Construction Methodologies,” Ohio Library Council Convention and Expo (September 2022)
• Speaker, “Construction Contracts (the Basics and Tools),” OMAA Law Institute (July 2022)
• Speaker, “Construction Competitive Bidding and Procurement for Township fiscal Officers,” OTA Construction Webinar for Fiscal Officers (June 2022)
• Speaker, “Hidden Pitfalls of the Construction Manager at Risk,” OHA Annual Meeting (June 2022)
• Speaker, “Public Bidding and Requirements for Design Professionals and Construction,” Northeast Ohio Regional Library System Webinar Series (June 2022)
• Speaker, “Cost-Plus Pricing & GMP Pitfalls - What You Need to Know when Contracting With a CMR or Design-Builder,” 14th Annual Construction Procurement for Public Entities in Ohio (May 2022)
• Speaker, “CMR & Design-Build Procurement,” 14th Annual Construction Procurement for Public Entities in Ohio (May 2022)
• Speaker, "How to Hire an Architect: The Ohio Revised Code and Beyond," OLC Annual Convention and Expo (October 2021)
• Speaker, "Streamlining Procurement with Term Agreements for Construction Professionals" Ohio Township Association Law Directors' Webinar (August 2021)
• Speaker, “Streamlining Procurement with Term Agreements for Design Professionals, CMRs, & Design-Builders,” 13th Annual Selecting Project Delivery Methods & Bidding Public Construction Contracts Webinar Series (July 2021)
• Speaker, "Using Term Agreements to Simplify & Streamline Construction Procurement," Ohio Hospital Association Annual Meeting (June 2021)
• Speaker, "Evaluating Bids & Documenting the Competitive Bidding Process", Ohio Township Association Law Directors' Webinar (December 2020)
• Presenter, "To Bid or Not to Bid? Public Bidding and Procurement Requirements for Design Professionals and Construction", Ohio Library Council Public Library Construction Workshop (October 2020)
• Speaker, "Competitive Bidding and Procurement for Township Construction," Ohio Township Association (OTA) Law Director Webinar (September 2020)
• Presenter, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Understanding Construction Procurement for Municipal Construction," Ohio Municipal League (August 2020)
• Speaker, "Cost-Plus Pricing & GMP Pitfalls – What You Need To Know When Contracting with a CMR or Design-Builder," Selecting Project Delivery Methods & Bidding Public Construction Contracts (June 2020)
• Presenter, "CMR & Design-Build Procurement," Selecting Project Delivery Methods & Bidding Public Construction Contracts (June 2020)
• Speaker, “Construction Procurement Process Overview for Counties,” County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO)/County Engineers Association of Ohio (CEAO) Winter Conference (December 2019)
• Speaker, "Selecting Project Delivery Models & Bidding by the Book,” Ohio Library Fiscal Officers Association (November 2019)
• Speaker, "Beginning a Project – Decision Points," Top Gun Construction Seminar (November 2015, October 2017, October 2018, October 2019 and October 2020)
• Speaker, "How Selecting the Right Project Delivery Model Can Protect Your Budget, Schedule, and Operations," Ohio Library Council's Library Facilities Conference (July 2019)
• Speaker, "Bidding by the Book: Do You Need to Bid to Build It?" Ohio Library Council's Library Facilities Conference (July 2019)
• Speaker, "Project Delivery Methods Available to Public Owners - Figuring Out What Works Best for Your Project," Selecting Project Delivery Methods & Bidding Public Construction Contracts (May 2019)
• Speaker, "Key Considerations in Risk Management and Cost Control for CMR Projects," Ohio Hospital Association Webinar (August 2018)
• Speaker, "Design-Build and Construction Manager at Risk Methods: Selecting the Firm that will Provide the Best Value," Selecting Project Delivery Methods & Bidding Public Construction Contracts in Ohio workshop (May 2016, May 2017, May 2018)
• Speaker, “Library Facilities Procurement,” Northeast Ohio Regional Library System Association Construction/Facilities Group (March 2018)

Travel - When they can get away, Laura and her husband love to explore the world. Here they are, “lost” in Venice, Italy, on their honeymoon!

Sun and Sea - For R&R, Laura and her family enjoy soaking in some sunshine, as well as deep sea fishing and lobstering. Here’s Laura with the “catch of the day” in the Florida Keys.