Benton J. Barton
Benton Barton will moderate an expert panel at the 2023 ALFA International Construction Law Seminar in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada on July 27, 2023. Benton’s session titled, “Blurred Lines? How Product Failures Amplify Exposures Facing Designers, Contractors and Insurers,” will discuss how legal systems distinguish between standards of care for designers, contractors, and product suppliers, but traditional legal defenses can be eroded when claims and defenses overlap in complex litigation. The panel will also highlight advantages and drawbacks of injecting product liability concepts into design and construction defect lawsuits, along with current claim trends that have led to increased exposure for designers, contractors, and product suppliers. Benton’s panel will be supported by a white paper, and presented through top counsel who defend design, construction and product cases nationwide at Beazley and CRH Americas.
Hall & Evans is a founding member of the ALFA International legal network. The first-of-its-kind organization is comprised of 140 member firms in the United States and across the globe. Benton is former chair of ALFA International’s Construction Practice Group and recently served a three-year term on its Board of Directors.