Wm. Cary Wright

Overview

Cary Wright has extensive experience representing clients in construction disputes, including construction claims, construction liens, insurance coverage matters, risk management, bond claims, and other contract disputes. His engagements have involved bridges, convention centers, stadium projects, high-rise condominiums, highways, hospitals, and hotels.

Cary also has substantial experience in contract drafting and contract review including the preparation of owner-contractor agreements and contractor-subcontractor agreements. He also advised an aviation authority on its insurance program for a multibillion-dollar project. Cary is the recipient of the Florida Bar Construction Law Committee’s 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also one of the few who is a fellow in both the American College of Construction Lawyers and the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. He serves as chair of the Public Private Partnership Committee in ACREL. He is also chair of the ABA Forum on Construction Law. Cary serves as chair of the Carlton Fields Construction Practice.

One commenter remarked in Chambers USA, a leading guide to the legal profession, that he is "a great lawyer and highly respected by anyone in construction. He's worked very, very hard, having published, written and spoken on it. I can't say enough good things about him. He's a great and highly skilled lawyer."

Cary maintains an active role in pro bono work, including working with professional engineers to assist those in other countries in need through Building for Good and Engineers Without Borders.

Experience

• Lead counsel in the defense of a $400 million P3 infrastructure project.
• Lead trial counsel in the defense of a $110 million claim by a subcontractor against general contractor on a stadium project.
• Lead trial counsel in the defense of an $85 million defective construction and environmental claim against a subcontractor on a phosphate reservoir project.
• Lead trial counsel for joint venture on multiple lawsuits by trade contractors arising from the construction of an over $500 million convention center in which total claims exceeded $70 million.
• Defense and settlement of $27.8 million claim by mechanical contractor and subcontractor against general contractor, and prosecution against owner and design professional regarding the claim.
• Defense and settlement of $8.1 million claim by drywall subcontractor against general contractor.
• Defense and settlement of $5.7 million claim by control systems trade contractor against general contractor, and prosecution against owner and design professional regarding the claim.
• Defense of general contractor from $3.2 million claim by fire protection contractor, and prosecution against owner and design professional regarding the claim.
• Defended and settled multimillion-dollar suit by general contractor against developer.
• Represented general contractor in multimillion-dollar claim against owner/developer.
• Represented general contractor in multimillion-dollar claim against subcontractor.
• Represented condominium association in claims against developer and general contractor for defective construction and breach of statutory warranties.
• Obtained approximately $2 million settlement on behalf of residential homeowner against developer and property insurer.

Representative Cases

• Harper Mech., LLC v. Hunt Constr. Grp., Inc., 23 So. 3d 772 (Fla. 5th DCA 2009).
• Fed. Ins. Co. v. Sw. Fla. Ret. Ctr., Inc., 707 So. 2d 1119 (Fla. 1998).

Recognition

• AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• The Best Lawyers in America
  • ​Construction Law, Construction Litigation (2008–2024)
  • Tampa "Lawyer of the Year," Construction Law (2014), Construction Litigation (2013, 2023)
• Chambers USA (2007–2023)
• Florida Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2006–2023)
• Who's Who Legal: Construction (2021–2023)
• Who’s Who Legal: Florida, Construction (2021)
• The International Who's Who of Construction Lawyers (2012–2021)
• The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers (2013–2015)
• Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine (2007, 2011–2015)
• Lifetime Achievement Award, The Florida Bar Construction Law Committee (2014)
• Annual Service Award, The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section (2010)

Professional & Community Involvement

• American Bar Association 
  • Forum on Construction Law
    • Chair (2022–2023)
    • Chair-Elect (2020–2022)
    • Chair, Finance Committee (2017–2020)
    • Chair, Technology Committee (2015–2017)
    • Governing Committee (2011–2014)
    • Chair, Bonds, Liens, and Insurance Division (2008–2010) 
    • Steering Committee of the Bonds, Liens, and Insurance Division (2004–2008) 
    • Past Member and Young Lawyer Representative, Owners and Project Finance Division
• American Bar Foundation
  • Fellow (2015–present)
• American College of Construction Lawyers
  • Fellow (2019–present)
• American College of Real Estate Lawyers
  • Fellow (2017–present)
  • Chair, Public Private Partnership Committee
• The Florida Bar
  • Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
    • Director, Real Property Division (2022–present)
    • Executive Committee (2017–present) 
      • Secretary (2021–present) 
      • Co-Chair, Legislative Committee (2017–2018, 2020–2021)
      • Treasurer (2018–2019)
    • Construction Law Committee 
      • Chair  (2007–2009)
      • Co-Vice Chair (2005–2007)
    • Insurance and Surety Committee
      • Co-Chair (2011–2017) 
      • Co-Vice Chair (2009–2011)
    • Co-Founder and Chair, The Florida Bar Construction Law Institute (2010–2012) 
    • Co-Editor-in-Chief of ActionLine, circulation of more than 11,000 (2016–2017)
• Hillsborough County Bar Association 
  • Co-Chair, Construction Law Section (2005–2007) 
  • Articles Editor, Construction Law Section (2003–2005)
• Associated General Contractors of South Florida
  • Legislative Committee (2020–present) 
• Museum of Science and Industry
  • Advisory Board (2013–2014)
• Associated General Contractors of Greater Florida Inc.
  • Advisory Committee (2005–2016)
• Construction Financial Management Association
  • Tampa Bay Chapter, Board of Directors (1992–present)
  • National Conference Planning Task Force (2001–2010)
• The Federalist Society, Tampa Bay Lawyers Chapter
  • Vice President (1998–2004)
• Cary has served, or serves, in various capacities at Bell Shoals Baptist Church, as chairman of Deacons, nominating committee member, chairman of the finance committee, treasurer, and trustee.

Speaking Engagements

• American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law 2023 Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (April 12-14, 2023)
• "Two-Day Construction Insurance Program," The Seminar Group (2017–2022)
• "Florida Lien Law," Construction Financial Management Association Regional Conference (November 2019)
• "Lien Law Update," Construction Financial Management Association (May 2020, May 2019)
• "Premises Liability," American College of Real Estate Lawyers (February 2019)
• "2017 Changes to the AIA Documents," Construction Financial Management Association (January 2018)
• "Construction Issues," 19th Annual Commercial Real Estate Institute, New York, NY (December 2017)
• "J.S.U.B. and Its Progeny: A Review of the Case Law, the Insurance Market's Response, and Steps Practitioners Should Know to Protect Their Clients," The Florida Bar Construction Law Institute (March 2017)
• "Insurance in the Construction Industry," The Florida Bar Construction Law Webinar (January 2017)
• "Key Issues and Provisions in Construction Contracts," 18th Annual Commercial Real Estate Institute, New York, NY (December 2016)
• "Top Six Risk-Shifting Provisions in Construction Contracts," CliftonLarsonAllen Surety Seminar, Tampa, FL (November 2016)
• "Practical Tips for Understanding Construction Insurance and Gaps in Coverage," The Florida Bar Construction Law Committee, Tampa and Orlando, FL (2016)
• "Florida's Lien Law," Construction Financial Management Association (August 2016)
• "AIA A201 General Conditions," AIA Contracts, Lorman Education Services, Sarasota and Tampa, FL (October 2014)
• "Condominium: Opportunities & Pitfalls – CGL Coverages and Waivers of Subrogation," The Seminar Group (September 2014)
• "Construction Lien Law Update," Construction Financial Management Association (May 2014)
• "Insurance and Coverage Issues - What You Need to Know," Hillsborough County Bar Association Construction Law Section (January 2014)
• "Construction Insurance," The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course (March 2013)
• "Legislative Update," Annual Legislative and Case Law Update, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar (August 2012)
• "Construction Lien Law Update," Construction Financial Management Association (July 2012)
• "Construction Insurance," The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course (March 2012)
• "Legislative Update," Annual Legislative and Case Law Update, The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section (August 2011)
• "Legislative Update," Tampa Bay Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association (May 2011)
• "Insurance Coverage Issues Related to Chinese Drywall Claims," The Florida Bar Construction Law Institute (April 2011)
• "Construction Insurance," The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course (April 2011)
• "What’s in a Form? A Closer Look at the More Significant Provisions Within the AIA and ConsensusDocs Standard Construction Contract Forms," Tampa Bay Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association (September 23, 2010)
• "Construction Accounting," ABA Forum on Construction Law Annual Meeting (2010)
• "Integration of, and Conflicts Between, Insurance Policies, Bonds, and Contract Clauses Provided by Contractors, Subcontractors, and Design Professionals," The Florida Bar Construction Law Institute (April 2010)
• "Construction Insurance," The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course (April 2010)
• "Construction and Insurance Issues Related to Chinese-Sourced Drywall," Associated General Contractors Meeting (July 2009)
• "A201 General Conditions," AIA Contracts, Lorman Education Services, Tampa, FL (May 13, 2009)
• "Construction and Insurance Issues Related to Chinese-Sourced Drywall," ABA Forum on Construction Law (2009)
• "Construction Insurance," The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course (March 2009)
• "Strategies for Finding Coverage and Generating Payments From Insurance Carriers – Understanding the Anatomy of the Standard CGL Policy and Terms of the Builder’s Risk, Professional Liability and OCIP Policies," The Florida Bar Construction Law Institute (March 2009)
• "Florida Lien Law," Tampa Bay Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association (September 2008)
• "Do You Have as Much CGL Coverage as You Think?," Construction Financial Management Association Annual Conference & Exhibition (2008)
• "Condominium Construction Issues in Florida – Insurance," Lorman Education Services, Tampa, FL (March 2008)
• "Insurance: Commercial Liability, Builder’s Risk, and E&O Policies," The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course (March 2008)
• "2007 Changes to the AIA A201 General Conditions," Tampa Bay Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association (March 2008)
• "AIA vs. Consensus Docs," Associated General Contractors of Greater Florida Inc. (March 2008)
• "Seminar on Florida Construction Lien Law," Construction Financial Management Association (September 2007)
• "Anatomy of an Insurance Policy and Exclusions," Hillsborough County Bar Association  Construction Law Section (September 2007)
• "AIA Contracts," Lorman Education Services, Tampa, Orlando, and Sarasota, FL (2007)
• Advanced Construction Law and Certification Review Course, The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section (March 2007)
• "Florida Lien Law Seminar," Construction Financial Management Association (September 2006)
• "Basic Construction Law - Insurance and Bonds," The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section (August 2006)
• "Force Majeure," ABA Teleconference CLE (June 2006)
• "Expecting the Unexpected: Anticipating and Managing Key Risks to Successful Projects – Force Majeure Delays," ABA Forum on Construction Law Midwinter Meeting, New York, NY (January 2006)
• "Chapter 713 and Other Payment Remedies," WCI Communities Inc. (October 2005)
• "Risk Mitigation and Recent Case Law Related to Changes in CGL Coverage," Construction Financial Management Association and Construction Management Association of America (August 2005)
• "Additional Insured Forms – Are You Covered?," Construction Financial Management Association (March 2005)
• The Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Review Course (March 2005)
• "Design/Build Contracts and Their Associated Risks," Construction Financial Management Association (July 2004)
• "Florida Construction Law: A Comprehensive Survey," The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee and the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section (March 2004)
• Associated General Contractors of America's Construction Law and Lien Law Symposium (December 2003)
• "Mold in Construction," Southeast Building Conference (July 2003)
• "Force Majeure Clauses – An Evolving Risk Allocation Mechanism in the 21st Century," ABA Forum on Construction Law Annual Meeting, Boston, MA (May 2003)
• "Water Intrusion and Mold Claims in Florida," Sterling Education Services (May 2003)
• "Mold in Construction," Associated General Contractors of Greater Florida Inc. (May 2003)
• "Beating the Odds in the Claims Process," Construction Financial Management Association Annual Conference & Exhibition, Las Vegas, NV (2002), moderated a mock arbitration and presented a seminar on construction issues at the 2002 CFMA National Conference in Las Vegas

Credentials

Areas of Focus