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Stephen L. Wright

Member

Stephen L. Wright brings more than 30 years of experience representing owners, design‑build and EPC contractors, subcontractors, and investors on complex industrial construction, automated and robotics‑enabled supply chain, and automotive manufacturing projects. His practice combines high‑value transactions, including EPC and automation contracts, IP licensing, ERP implementations, and the evolving application of AIOps, with commercial litigation, arbitration, and strategic outside general counsel services. Stephen represents clients across the United States, Europe, and Japan, supporting both domestic growth and cross-border operations.

Stephen is particularly known for his work on automation‑intensive projects involving ASRS and robotic systems, ERP and controls network integration, and advanced industrial automation. He regularly advises facility owners, engineering firms, design‑build contractors, automotive manufacturers, and materials handling companies on both greenfield and operational facilities. His work reflects a rare blend of technical fluency and legal strategy, enabling clients to manage risk while advancing complex, capital‑intensive initiatives.

In addition to project and automation matters, Stephen provides comprehensive support for acquisitions (asset/stock), ESOP transactions, shareholder and employment matters, labor and union issues, real estate development, and nationwide professional licensing. He is a sought-after arbitrator and mediator and has served in dozens of cases since 2012 upon joining the American Arbitration Association panel for the construction industry and complex cases. His international experience, ADR background, and active industry involvement provide clients with practical, business‑focused legal guidance at every stage of growth.

Industries

Education

J.D., Boston University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts
Fulbright Fellowship, Europa Institute, Saarland University, Germany
B.S., with honors, Indiana University, Business Economics

Recognitions

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2021-2025
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Memberships

  • American Arbitration Association, Construction and Commercial Panels, Mediation Panel, 2012-present
  • American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry, Member, 1998-present
  • Associated General Contractors of America
  • Atlanta International Arbitration Society, Secretary and Director
  • German-American Chamber of Commerce
  • Japan-America Society of Georgia
  • New York State Bar Association, 1988-present
  • State Bar of Georgia, 1989-present
  • Technology Association of Georgia

Languages

English, German

State Bar Licenses

Georgia, New York

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
U.S. District Ct., N.D. of Georgia

Stephen’s clients include CEOs and executives from engineering firms, design-build contractors, automotive manufacturers, and materials-handling companies. He combines specialized technical knowledge, substantial transaction volume, and litigation victories to build strategic business partnerships with construction industry executives. Examples of his distinguishing capabilities are outlined below.

Transaction Volume & Business Results

  • Closed $2B+ since June 2023 in design-build and EPC construction contracts focused on automation and robotics, including ASRS-enabled distribution centers and automotive manufacturing plants, that featured ERP integration, technology and software licensing.
  • Recent projects include automated and cold-chain distribution centers in Indiana ($232M), South Carolina ($144.3M); Maryland ($98.2M); Kansas City ($89.4M); metro Chicago ($69.4M); projects in Texas ($138.8M combined) and South Carolina ($60.5M); Monterrey, Mexico ($19M), and automotive manufacturing plants in Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee and Alabama ($300M+ combined).

Litigation Victories & Risk Management

  • $70M Bet-the-Company Victory: Complete win in a refrigerated distribution center ASRS-ERP integration dispute that would have threatened the client’s business.
  • $1M+ Recovery: Settled a complex suit involving three refrigerated warehouses with ASRS systems and crane installation/racking allegations.
  • $20M Exposure Eliminated: Successfully defended seven complex construction and product liability matters through summary judgment dismissals or minimal settlements.
  • Worksite Fatality Defense: Led the GC’s defense in a refrigerant leak fatality with environmental pollution and inventory loss claims, achieving a reasonable insurance-covered settlement while avoiding cross-claims.

Strategic Outside General Counsel (OGC)

  • Served as OGC for 15 years for one firm, supporting growth from early stage to $700M+ in annual revenue through multi‑jurisdictional contract negotiation, litigation management, insurance/warranty/surety oversight, IP protection, and strategic business counsel.
  • Served as OGC, helping another firm grow from $15M to $100M, becoming the Southeast’s second-largest commercial trade contractor in its specialty.
  • Led attorney team for $387M dairy processing campus development in California.

Arbitration and ADR Credentials

  • Serves on the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Construction and Commercial Panels and has decided ~50 commercial disputes as arbitrator or mediator, predominantly construction-related.
  • Selected by AAA to beta test the artificial intelligence arbitral case evaluation program and original arbitrator participant.
  • Expertise includes delay/inefficiency claims, automation – robotics and software integration, ASRS distribution centers, automotive manufacturing plans, CPM scheduling, lien/bond claims, waterproofing/envelope issues, EPC/IPD disputes, joint ventures, shareholder disputes, IP licensing, employment matters, and international arbitration.

Corporate & Employment Law

  • Provides comprehensive business support and legal coordination for corporate acquisitions (asset/stock), ESOP transactions, shareholder litigation and transactions, real estate development, HR management, nationwide professional licensing, Title VII claims, FMLA/ERISA compliance, labor union matters, employment agreements, and non-competition enforcement.

International Capabilities

  • Fulbright Fellow in European Union law and fluent in German.
  • Completed arbitration programs in Germany and Japan.
  • Former Secretary of the Atlanta International Arbitration Society.
  • Testified before the Georgia General Assembly on protecting foreign investment interests.
  • Manage multi-jurisdictional projects and parties across Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

The Clark Hill approach is equally pragmatic and growth-minded, which is why we understand our clients’ toughest business challenges. Our multidisciplinary, global team of advisors focuses on smart legal solutions, delivered simply.

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