Overview

After over 40 years of collective experience practicing construction law with one of the largest firms in Texas, John Slates and Greg Harwell formed Slates Harwell LLP to better serve our clients’ needs. We bring the pedigree of big-firm experience and expertise to the flexibility of a construction boutique platform.

Most lawyers are either transactional attorneys or litigators. Because of our construction industry focus, we are both. We work from project concept to completion assisting our clients in contract negotiation, risk management, and dispute resolution including mediation, arbitration, and litigation. In this comprehensive role, we counsel our clients on the many facets of their business, and as a result, we understand the priorities that drive each client’s decisions. When disputes arise, we combine the insights developed through these unique client relationships with a proven track record of success in the courtroom and in arbitration.

The construction industry relies on plans, budgets, and schedules to achieve successful projects – so do we. By tailoring strategies to our client’s business interests and expectations, we design a plan to achieve the client’s goal, develop a budget to accomplish that goal, and outline the critical path to get there. Whether negotiating contracts, managing project risks, or litigating disputes, we partner with our clients to achieve success through this guiding philosophy:

Plan. Execute. Deliver.

Size:
10
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Practice Areas:
3
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Best Lawyers Recognized:
4

Rankings

Regional

Dallas/Fort Worth

Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Construction Law
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Litigation - Construction

About Our Clients

Slates Harwell is best known for its expertise in the construction industry from the large general contractor’s perspective. Slates Harwell represents general contractors in negotiating prime contracts and subcontracts as well as managing suits, claims, and issues that arise from commercial and public construction and development projects. The firm’s work has covered a wide range of projects and geographic settings beyond its regional Texas focus – from contractor extra work claims on DOE projects in New Mexico, to disputes arising from $500 million mixed-use projects on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; from delay and disruption claims in industrial/refinery settings, to construction defect allegations in commercial and multi-family projects. Some key clients in these areas include Andres Construction, Austin Industries, Balfour Beatty Construction, The Beck Group, EMJ Corporation, Hill & Wilkinson, JE Dunn Construction Company, VCC, Rampart Multifamily and Talley-Riggins Construction Co. LLC.

Another area of recognized specialty is in the preparation of development and contract management plans and documents for large commercial / retail / residential developers. Developer clients including KDC Development, Streetlights Residential, and Cielo Real Estate to name a few, have engaged the firm to assist with contracts for their designers, managers, contractors, and suppliers and to implement programs to manage their projects to a successful completion.

A third area of recognized expertise is the broad range of legal services provided to builders in the volume homebuilding industry. During the course of their careers, lawyers at Slates Harwell have represented 15 of the top 20 homebuilders – as well as their trade associations (National Association of Home Builders, Texas Association of Builders, and Leading Builders of America). Services to the volume builders include providing regulatory compliance guidance for development and marketing, contract management and procurement best practices programs, and copyright and trademark protection. Current key clients include DR Horton Homes, Lennar Homes, M/I Homes, and Pulte Homes.

Rankings

Regional

Dallas/Fort Worth

Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Construction Law
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Litigation - Construction

Practice Areas

Slates Harwell Campbell LLP has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 3 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Law
  • Litigation - Construction

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Slates Harwell Campbell LLP proudly has 4 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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Awards

Slates Harwell Campbell LLP is honored to be recognized for excellence by Best Law Firms and other leading legal industry organizations. Our rankings and awards reflect the dedication, skill, and results our attorneys deliver across a wide range of practice areas. In addition to our Best Law Firms awards, Slates Harwell Campbell LLP has earned accolades from respected national and regional publications for outstanding legal service and professional achievement. Explore our awards below to learn more about how Slates Harwell Campbell LLP continues to set the standard for quality legal representation.
Recognized by Chambers & Partners USA Guide for Construction Law - Texas (2016 - 2024)
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”; Ranked as a Tier 1 Firm for Construction Law in Dallas/Fort Worth (2015 - 2025)

U.S. News – Best Lawyers® - Top-Listed City Award for Construction Law in Dallas (2022, 2023)

Ranked in Construction Executive's The Top 50 Construction Law Firms (2020)

Offices & Contacts

Dallas, TX
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