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“Practicing law can be very process-driven, but my personality is results-oriented. I love practicing construction law because it allows me to feel like I play a small part in what my clients are building every day. ”

Sara P. Bryant is a partner in the Litigation and Construction practices at Murtha Cullina.

Sara represents clients ranging from regional businesses to Fortune 100 and ENR Top 10 companies in the areas of construction and business litigation. She has extensive experience in dispute resolution in all forms including mediation, arbitration, administrative proceedings, jury and non-jury trials.

In her construction practice, Sara represents construction managers, subcontractors and owners in state and federal courts in the trial and resolution of construction disputes on public and private projects. She handles matters involving allegations of breach of contract, defective work, mechanic’s liens and Chapter 93A violations. Sara is also involved in drafting and negotiating contracts and contract claims as well as securing lien and bond rights. In her business litigation practice, Sara represents clients on matters involving landlord/tenant and general business disputes, tort and product liability and insurance coverage.

Sara is the former President and founding member of the Boston Chapter of the Professional Women in Construction. Sara previously served as an officer of the Massachusetts Building Congress and was co-chair and co-founder of the MBC Women’s Network. She also is a member of CREW Boston (formerly New England Women in Real Estate) and the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts.

Currently, Sara serves as managing partner of the firm's Boston office.

  • Successfully resolved in mediation a dispute for owner developer in multi-party litigation involving claims relating to project delay and alleged design deficiencies. 

  • Successfully provided real-time counseling to mitigate and then ultimately resolve remaining disputes on behalf of owner developer for downtown Boston project impacted by project delay. 

  • Regularly provide clients with real-time counseling for payment on projects governed by Prompt Pay statute to ensure timely payment.

  • Successfully pursued, litigated and recovered payment through mediation of a payment claim by supplier client on public bridge project.

  • Obtained summary judgment for general contractor client in Federal District Court of Massachusetts defending against contract and tort claims from second-tier subcontractor on high profile New York project.

  • Represented construction manager in 40-day bench trial against owner; judge returned decision in favor of client on counterclaim, including awarding Chapter 93A damages.

  • On behalf of subcontractor client crafted and presented claims against general contractor for extra work, delay/impact and C. 149 § 29E prompt pay violations which resulted in successfully negotiated resolution and payment of claim with owner participation.

  • Defended general contractor from suit by subcontractor after subcontractor’s termination; successfully moved to dismiss owner, then after 6-day jury trial won defense verdict and 6-figure counterclaim against plaintiff.

  • Represented construction manager in favorable resolution at mediation of 11-party dispute by condominium trustees alleging faulty workmanship and water infiltration.

  • Successfully resolved at mediation significant dispute involving sophisticated construction manager on a major airport project.

  • Successfully managed and resolved for general contractor client multiple subcontractor claims on challenging projects involving disputes with owner.

  • Regularly secures and defends mechanic’s lien rights for general contractor and subcontractor clients.

  • Counsels clients and speaks at trade associations on current trends in construction law including the Massachusetts Prompt Pay legislation and Integrated Project Delivery.

  • Professional Women in Construction, Boston Chapter, Founding Member and Past President

  • Massachusetts Building Congress, Vice President  (2015-2017)

  • American Bar Association, Forum Committee on the Construction Industry

  • Boston Bar Association

  • Associated General Contractors

  • Eckerd College Alumni Association

  • Panelist, "Understanding & Negotiating Commercial Construction Contracts," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education ‒ Webcast (November 14, 2023)

  • Speaker, "Heeding the Warning Signs ‒ Strategies for Identifying and Managing a Troubled Project," Construction Institute ‒ Women Who Build Summit (April 27, 2023)

  • Moderator, "Building Excellence Series with Turner Construction Company," Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts ‒ Women in Construction Week (March 9, 2023)

  • Speaker, "Understanding Massachusetts Prompt Pay Act," Massachusetts Bar Association (June 2021)

  • Panelist, "Top Ten Return-To-Work FAQs," Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts (May 2020)

  • Presenter, "Risk Toolkit Series," Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts (April 2019)

  • Law Clerk to the Justices of the Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2003-2004)

  • Judicial Intern, Supreme Court of the United States (1996)

  • Mentor, Eckerd College 

  • Member, Needham High School Friends of Music

Areas of Focus

Services

Industries

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Credentials

Education

  • Boston College (J.D., cum laude)
  • Eckerd College (B.A., with high honors)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts