Thomas M. Keranen

Thomas M. Keranen is a member in Clark Hill PLC’s Construction Law Practice Group.  Tom’s practice is concentrated on all legal aspects of the design and construction industries, representing the parties to the process, including owners, design professionals, contractors, program and construction managers, design-builders, sub and trade contractors, suppliers and vendors, sureties and insurers, on a wide variety of public and private projects, including federal and international construction.

Tom obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University; his Master’s Degree in Engineering from the University of Michigan; and, his Juris Doctor Degree from Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University College of School).

Tom is licensed as a Professional Engineer in Michigan.

Prior to commencing his law practice, Tom served in engineering functions for a state highway department, a major Midwestern city, facilities planning and construction at a major university, and as a project manager for a general contractor.

Tom is admitted to practice law in Michigan, Florida and Wisconsin state courts, various Tribal Courts, various United States District Courts, various United States Courts of Appeal; the United States Court of Federal Claims; and the United States Supreme Court.

Tom is a member of a number of state and local bar associations, including the United States Court of Federal Claims Bar Association, and the Board of Contract Appeals Bar Association.

Tom has served on the Construction Arbitration and Mediation Panels of the American Arbitration Association for many years, and frequently serves as an arbitrator or mediator on disputes involving design and construction claims under the Association’s Large Complex Case Rules.

In a somewhat specialized practice area, over the years, Tom has represented many of Michigan’s Native communities in federal, state, and tribal courts, binding arbitration, and informal dispute resolution proceedings on matters involving casino and hotel initiatives, land and trust issues, the National Indian Gaming Act, Bureau of Indian Affairs issues, state compact issues, Michigan State Gaming Board, casino licensing, labor and employment issues, and many matters affecting the unique legal needs of tribal sovereignty, governance, construction and operations.

Tom is an active member of many construction industry associations, including the Associated General Contractors of America (including AGC’s Michigan Chapter), Construction Owner’s Association of America, American Society of Civil Engineers, National and Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, American Consulting Engineering Companies, Washtenaw Contractor’s Association, Detroit Area Construction Association, Engineering Society of Detroit, Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, and other industry groups. 

Tom is an industry supporter and is actively involved in the development and management of alternative forms of project delivery including Integrated Project Design (IPD); Building Information Modeling (BIM); Design/Build; and, Public Private Partnerships (P3).

Tom is a frequent presenter and contributor to many industry programs and publications, and has served as adjunct faculty in the School of Architecture at Lawrence Technological University, located in Southfield, Michigan and at Eastern Michigan University, located in Ypsilanti, Michigan.  Tom serves on the Professional Advisory Committees for the Construction Management Programs at Eastern Michigan University and Northern Michigan University.  Tom was previously Chair of the Professional Advisory Committee for the Civil Environmental Engineering Program at Michigan Technological University.