Ken’s entire career has focused on issues related to the construction industry. His practice has included five years of service as a US Army lawyer and counsel to a government contracting officer at a major military installation, 20 years as general counsel with Johnson Controls, Inc., and almost 25 years of private practice. A substantial amount of Ken’s practice includes the review and drafting of construction contracts for both public and private entities, as well as counseling them regarding the avoidance of risks inherent in such contracts.
During his career, Ken has represented clients before various government boards of contract appeals as well as in mediations and arbitrations. He is a longstanding member of the construction industry panel of arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association and regularly participates as an arbitrator in proceedings administered by the AAA.
Because Ken’s representation of clients extended beyond the U.S., he was necessarily involved in international construction issues and relevant foreign law.
Ken has also represented clients in connection with corporate formation and organization issues, including the drafting of acquisition, shareholder and other corporate agreements. Additionally he advises individual clients on estate planning and probate issues.
Clients
The majority of Ken’s clients include construction contractors, public and private building owners, and individuals seeking estate planning advice. Dnesco Electric, WDSI, Inc. and the American Subcontractors Association of Wisconsin are just some of his many clients.
Client Recommendations
“Dnesco Electric utilizes Ken Voss to review all contracts. We receive an easy to follow and understand "shopping list" of changes/suggestions to protect Dnesco's interests. Ken is responsive, knowledgeable, and a valuable asset to our daily operations. Dnesco is proud to call Ken Voss one of our business partners." - Joe Klein – Dnesco Electric
“It’s almost impossible to measure what Ken’s done for the association, for contractors, and for the industry over the years. Ken knows his business and has represented us well as chapter counsel. He has always been an advocate for fair contracts, but he’s pragmatic enough to know that contractors need an ‘eyes open’ approach to protecting their interests. In that respect in particular, he has been of great help to our members as both an attorney and an educator.” - Jeff J. Beiriger, Executive Director, American Subcontractors Association of Wisconsin
"Ken, it is very difficult to write a short description of the services you have completed for us over the years. Not only have you become a very reliable and helpful friend to the company but your knowledge and expertise in our industry is second to none. We hope to continue this strong relationship long into the future with you." - Sandra Jacobi, Assistant Project Manager, WDSI, Inc.
Notable Representations
- One of the most significant matters involved an arbitration of a construction dispute with the State of Louisiana concerning work performed at the Superdome, which was successfully concluded in favor of Ken’s client with an award of more than 1 million dollars.
- Ken has represented a client in connection with the formation of a Mexican subsidiary company and construction and operation of a Maquilladora assembly plant. He has visited Bahrain and Kuwait with reference to issues relating to the US Department of Commerce Anti-Arab Boycott regulations.
- He has drafted and negotiated a distributor agreement with a German manufacturer for a U.S. client.
- Ken was appointed as a US Army Liaison Officer charged with overseeing the implementation of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement between the U.S. and Germany and as a Trial Observer with responsibility for verifying the proper application of its terms by German Courts.
- Ken also represented a client in connection with a construction dispute on a major project in Germany.
Articles / Presentations
Ken authors the “Construction Zone Alert”, an E-newsletter concentrating on construction industry issues, published by DeWitt Ross & Stevens.
He has also authored the following:
- Chapters on Liens, Bonds, Credit and Collection in Wisconsin Construction Law, (Professional Education Systems Inc., 1985)
- Chapter entitled "Credit - An Essential Element of American Business," A Guide for the Foreign Investor Doing Business in the U.S.A., (Dow Jones-Irwin, 1984)
- Chapter entitled "Warranties: Protection of the Construction Investment," Businessman's Guide to Construction, (Dow Jones Books, 1979)
- Various presentations to ASA, ABC, WisBar, NECA