Richard J. Tyler and Christopher D. Cazenave, partners in the New Orleans office, teamed with attorneys from The Weinhardt Law Firm in Des Moines, Iowa, to obtain a $62.4 million jury verdict on behalf of Maintenance Enterprises, LLC (MEI) against Orascom E&C USA, Inc. (Orascom), the general contractor for construction of the $3 billion Iowa Fertilizer Plant in Wever, Iowa. MEI, a Louisiana-based mechanical contractor specializing in petroleum and chemical facilities, took over parts of the mechanical construction of the project in 2014 and 2015. In early 2016, MEI filed suit against Orascom seeking damages for unpaid invoices, confiscated tools, and loss in business value resulting from Orascom’s refusal to pay over $50 million of MEI invoices. On October 12, 2018, at the end of a three-week trial, a federal court jury returned a verdict awarding $62.4 million to MEI and declining to award any damages to Orascom on its counterclaims. 

 

“MEI holds honesty and integrity as core values of the company and we are all gratified that their long fight for justice has been achieved,” said Richard Tyler. “It was apparent to everyone involved in this case that MEI had a very compelling story to tell, which lead to a favorable arbitration award in January, and the recent jury verdict in favor of the company.”

 

Mr. Tyler and Mr. Cazenave represented MEI in a separate dispute against Orascom that was favorably resolved by an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration panel in early January 2018.

 

Jones Walker’s Construction Practice Group is a team of approximately 30 attorneys who are involved in delivering comprehensive legal services to industry clients, including contract negotiation and drafting, real-time project advice, and dispute resolution services.  The firm’s national footprint and the depth and experience of the construction team on a wide array of projects enables the firm to provide effective counsel at every step of the construction process.