Werner concentrates his practice in construction, copyright and real estate law. His clients include architects, owners, contractors, construction managers, engineers and consultants to the construction industry as well as other businesses. He created the first web site in Chicago for a law firm and has in-depth knowledge of computers.

Werner is also a licensed architect, having practiced architecture for a number of years prior to establishing his law practice in 1981. His architectural practice included work for large and small firms, as well as a large corporation. Projects ranged from large commercial structures, schools and offices to smaller buildings and interior work. He is a member of the AIA, ALA and CSI, has been an officer and director of the Chicago Chapter AIA, President of the Chicago Chapter, Construction Specifications Institute from 1995-1996 and has written several articles for the Chicago Chapter Chicago Architect (formerly the AIA Focus), the National CSI Construction Specifier and other publications. In 1997, the AIA elected him to the College Of Fellows. In 2005 he became a Fellow in the Association Of Licensed Architects.

He is also active on a variety of bar association committees and has lectured on construction law to a variety of professionals and students. As the attorney for a number of architects, engineers, owners and contractors, he has extensive expertise in AIA contracts. His book, Legal Guide To AIA Documents, published by Wolters Kluwer, is in its sixth edition. Werner is also a construction arbitrator and mediator for the American Arbitration Association. He is IMI certified and admitted to the federal trial bar. He is also available as a mediator or arbitrator for private cases.

• Education:

  • J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law at Illinois Institute Of Technology, Chicago, IL
  • B.Arch., University of Illinois College Of Architecture, Chicago, IL
  • B.A., Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

• Professional Memberships & Associations:

  • American Arbitration Association
  • American Bar Association
  • American Institute Of Architects
  • Architects Club Of Chicago
  • Association Of Licensed Architects
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Construction Specifications Institute
  • Illinois Society Of Architects
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • International Mediation Institute
  • North Central Region CSI
  • Society Of Illinois Construction Attorneys

• Seminars & Presentations:

  • “New ALA 2020 Short Form Contracts,” Association of Licensed Architects, September 2020
  • “Laws for Illinois Architects,” Halfmoon Education, May 2020
  • “Effective Strategies for Arbitration & Mediation,” Downey & Lenkov Clients, August 2019
  • “Solving Common Problems In Owner/Architect & Owner/Contractor Agreements,” Downey & Lenkov Clients, June 2016
  • “AIA Contracts,” Professional Educational Systems, Inc.
  • “AIA Contracts, Standards Of Care Of Design Professionals In the Construction Industry, Liability Of Engineers, Duties To Clients And Other Consultants,” Structural Engineers Of Illinois
  • “AIA Documents, Legal Issues In Construction,” Lorman Education Services
  • “AIA Documents, Professional Responsibility Of Architects, Standard Of Care Required Of Architects, Duties Of Architects Under AIA Contracts, Responsibilities To Clients,” University Of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, Indiana, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, Triton College, River Grove, Illinois
  • “AIA Documents, Standards Of Care By Architects, Duties To Clients, Responsibilities Of Architects Under AIA Contracts, American Institute Of Architects,” Chicago, Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, Northeast Illinois Chapters
  • “AIA Documents, Standards of Care By Architects, Duties To Clients, Responsibilities Of Architects Under AIA Contracts,” Illinois Society Of Architects
  • “AIA Documents, Standards Of Care, Duties to Clients,” Construction Specifications Institute
  • “BIM, Copyrights,” Law Seminars International
  • “Construction Arbitration,” Chicago Bar Association
  • “Construction Issues,” National Business Institute
  • “Construction Law Issues And Copyright,” Association Of Licensed Architects
  • “Copyrights In The Construction Industry,” Society Of Illinois Construction Attorneys
  • “Duties Under The AIA Documents,” Society Of Architectural Administrators

• Articles & Publications:

  • “Waiver of Consequential Damages in Construction Contracts,” Downey & Lenkov Construction Newsletter, September 2025
  • “Don’t Waive a Construction Claim by Waiting Too Long,” Downey & Lenkov Construction Newsletter, January 2025
  • “Contracting with a Governmental Body: Extra Work,” Downey & Lenkov Construction Newsletter, September 2024
  • “Effect Of Termination of an Arbitration Prior To Award,” Downey & Lenkov Construction Newsletter, June 2024
  • “Venue Selection in Construction Arbitration and Obtaining Testimony from Remote Witnesses,” Downey & Lenkov Construction Newsletter, March 2024
  • “Misclassified Architects Lead to Fraud & Negligent Charges,” Bryce Downey & Lenkov Construction & Commercial Blog, December 2020
  • “Copyright Damages: Architectural Works,” Bryce Downey & Lenkov Construction & Commercial Blog, July 2020
  • “Contracting with Governmental Entities Requires Caution,” Bryce Downey & Lenkov Construction & Commercial Blog, December 2019
  • “Is a “Reasonably Acceptable” Provision in a Contract Enforceable?,” Bryce Downey & Lenkov Construction & Commercial Blog, April 2019
  • “Custom Arbitration Language in Construction Contracts, “ Bryce Downey & Lenkov Construction & Commercial Blog, January 2019
  • “Drafting Arbitration Clauses in Construction Contracts – What Not To Do,” Bryce Downey & Lenkov Construction & Commercial Blog, January 2019
  • “Consequential Damages – What Are They?,” Bryce Downey & Lenkov Construction & Commercial Blog, January 2019
  • “A Legal Guide To AIA Documents,” 3rd Edition, 1991; 4th Edition, 1998; 5th Edition, 2008; 6th Edition, 2018
  • “The Importance of Making Sure Arbitration Provisions are Unambiguous,” Bryce Downey & Lenkov Construction & Commercial Blog, November 2018
  • “Court Affirms Engineer’s Limitation of Liability,” Bryce Downey & Lenkov Construction & Commercial Blog, October 2018
  • “Examining Copyright Infringement and Notice in Architectural Drawings,” Bryce Downey & Lenkov Construction & Commercial Blog, June 2018
  • “The Importance of Complying with Professional Licensing Rules,” Bryce Downey & Lenkov Construction & Commercial Blog, May 2018
  • “Illinois Court Finds In Favor Of General Contractor In Worker Death Case, Following Section 414 Of The Restatement,” Bryce Downey & Lenkov Construction & Commercial Blog, February 2018
  • “Construction Law: Transactional Considerations,” Illinois Institute Of Continuing Education, 2010, 2017