Dwane understands the need to take a practical approach to resolving problems. He has over 35 years experience in the construction industry and he has held positions as a civil engineer; as in-house counsel to two large, international construction companies; as counsel to an international chemical company; and as lawyer in private practice specializing in dispute prevention and construction litigation.
In addition, Dwane often advises companies in the same manner as would an in-house general counsel. Developing companies can even delay hiring their own in-house counsel. He has extensive experience in construction law, corporate transactions, legal issues arising from manufacturing operations, legal issues arising with real estate developers and alternative dispute resolution.
Dwane is a 1970 graduate of the University of Nebraska in Civil Engineering. He was a consulting engineer for HWS Consulting Group in Lincoln, Nebraska from 1970 to 1974, and became a licensed professional engineer in 1974. He served in various project functions on design and construction projects, and he drafted plans, specifications and contracts, as well as participated in the bidding, award and construction phases of projects. He performed as resident engineer during the construction of projects.
He graduated from the University of Nebraska Law School in 1977, and began his legal career as counsel to the Peter Kiewit construction companies in Omaha, Nebraska. Dwane was the Assistant General Counsel of J.A. Jones Construction Company in Charlotte, North Carolina, as well an officer of a Jones environmental remediation subsidiary. During that time, he provided legal services to both union and non-union companies in these organizations. He prepared contract risk reviews, negotiated and drafted major construction contracts, large subcontracts and purchase orders, as well as handling human resources issues, employee safety and health issues and hazardous material remediation. He also prepared and presented change order requests as well as claims against owners, subcontractors and sureties. He managed litigation, arbitration and ADR and worked closely with company divisions in building; heavy construction; mining; marine, roads and bridges; and electrical power generation. Dwane has closed contractual negotiations for over $3 billion in construction and $1 billion in equipment purchases.
Dwane has also served as counsel to Clariant Corporation which, with its Swiss parent company, is one of the world's largest specialty chemical companies. He was responsible for negotiation and preparation of documents for acquisitions, sales, leases, chemical manufacturing issues and distributorship, purchase, supply, non-disclosure, licensing and construction agreements.
Professional registrations and admissions include the admission to practice law in the states of North Carolina and Nebraska as well as the United States Federal District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, and he is a registered professional engineer in Nebraska. He is a member of the Chi Epsilon civil engineering honorary and the Sigma Tau national engineering honorary. Dwane is also certified to conduct mediations by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission in the North Carolina Superior Court mediated settlement conference program.
Associations and civic Involvements include the North Carolina Bar Association, Construction Law Section; Mecklenburg County Bar Association; Construction Professionals Network, Director and Local Leadership Team; Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas, Inc.; American Subcontractors Association of the Carolinas; Christ Lutheran Church, church president of prior church; volunteer Habitat for Humanity; and Boy Scouts of America, Assistant Scout Master.
Dwane and his wife, Martha, have two children. His recreational activities include hunting, fly fishing, hiking and motorcycling.