PEOPLE

Loni L. Hinton

Of Counsel
hinton.loni@dorsey.com

Overview

Loni assists clients in formulating winning approaches to tackle issues that emerge at various stages of the construction project life cycle.

Loni represents public and private owners, developers, contractors, design professionals, and product manufacturers in legal matters involving risk mitigation and insurance, contract drafting and negotiation, construction liens and payment bond claims, design disputes, construction defects, and delay and impact claims. 

Loni's legal work includes both public and private construction projects, such as earthwork projects, solar projects, stormwater treatment facilities, sewer treatment plants, contaminated sites, transportation centers, bridges, roadways, stadiums, data centers, industrial parks, high-rise offices, condominiums, and apartments. 

As a fourth-generation real estate developer, Loni is keenly aware of the technical and market-driven challenges her clients face. She has worked in different market conditions on projects from conception through final completion, using both traditional and integrated delivery methods. Loni provides clients with the practical advice they need to keep projects on time and under budget.  

Education & Admissions

Seattle University School of Law (J.D., 2016), cum laude

University of Washington (B.A., Communications, 2012), with honors

Admissions

  • California
  • Idaho
  • Washington
  • Alaska
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington 
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Experience

Transactions

  • Contract drafting for owner: Retained by owner to draft and negotiate manuscript design and construction contracts for its $50M+ HQ project located in Seattle. (2024)
  • Risk management for general contractor: Seconded by heavy civil marine contractor to review RFPs, RFQs, and contracts for complex projects located throughout the United States. (2024)
  • Contract drafting for owner: Retained by hospital to draft and negotiate design and construction contracts for the expansion of multiple facilities located throughout Oregon. (2024)
  • Contract drafting for contractor: Retained by multi-national mass timber company to draft and negotiate its design, construction, supply, and logistics agreements for institutional projects located throughout the United States. (2024)
  • Contract drafting for developer: Retained by developer to update its suite of construction agreements for $100M+ retail projects located throughout Washington. (2023)
  • Contract drafting for developer: Retained by developer to draft and negotiate design and construction agreements for a 160+ unit apartment project located in Seattle. (2020)
  • Contract drafting for international developer: Retained by international developer to draft and negotiate manuscript design and construction agreements for an 800+ unit high-rise apartment project located in Seattle. (2018)

Claims

  • Extra work, delay, design, and defect claims representing public owner: Represented public owner in the defense and prosecution of claims by and against the design team and construction manager/general contractor arising from the design and construction of a $2.4B+ public infrastructure project located in San Francisco. (2023)
  • Delay and defect claims representing public owner: Favorably resolved public owner's defect and delay claims arising from a two-phase underground utility and road improvement project located near Salt Lake City. (2020)
  • Cumulative impact and delay claims representing owner: Successfully defended developer in high-stakes arbitration over cumulative impact and delay claims emanating from design-build MEP issues in connection with the complete renovation of a hotel located near Seattle. (2019)
  • Extra work and delay claims representing general contractor: Favorably resolved general contractor's claims before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals arising from the design and construction of airplane hangars for a military base located near Tucson, Ariz. (2019)
  • Extra work and design claims representing architect: Successfully defended and prosecuted claims on behalf of architect in a multi-party arbitration arising from the design of a 45-story luxury hotel located in Seattle. (2020)

*Certain experiences occurred prior to joining Dorsey

News & Resources

  • Co-author, "State-by-State Guide to Architect, Engineer, and Contractor Licensing (California)," Aspen Publishers, 2023.
  • Co-author, “State-by-State Guide to Architect, Engineer, and Contractor Licensing (Washington,” Aspen Publishers, 2024.

Industries & Practices

Government Contracts Counseling & Litigation
  • Construction & Design
  • Construction Litigation
  • Development & Infrastructure
  • Electronic Discovery
  • Energy & Natural Resources
  • Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
  • Government Contracts Counseling & Litigation
  • Healthcare & Life Sciences
  • Indian & Alaska Native
  • Insurance Law
  • Technology

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Board Member, NAIOP State and Local Subcommittee
  • Board Member, NAIOP Northern California's Government Affairs Committee
  • Member, Associated General Contractors of California
  • Member, Washington State Bar Associations' Court Rules and Procedures Committee
  • Member, Washington Policy Center
  • Member, Alaska Bar Association
  • Member, Washington State Bar Association
  • Member, Idaho State Bar
  • Member, State Bar of California
  • Member, King County Bar Association

Accolades

  • Selected for Best Lawyers' Ones to Watch List (Real Estate Law), 2020-2021