Law, disrupted cover image

Law, disrupted

Inside $1.6 Billion Judgment Against China Construction America

Jan 9, 2025
Jacob Buchdahl, a partner at Susman Godfrey, recently clinched a landmark $1.6 billion judgment against China Construction America for BML Properties over the failed Baha Mar Resort project. He delves into the fraud and contract breaches that plagued the project, detailing how CCA misled BML about construction timelines. Jacob discusses his strategic focus on the fraudulent acts revealed in internal documents, which ultimately led to a devastating bankruptcy for BML. The conversation highlights the complexities of international construction law and the challenges of legal adaptation.
31:38

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The landmark $1.6 billion judgment against China Construction America underscores the critical importance of truthfulness in contractual obligations and the severe consequences of misrepresentation.
  • Jacob Buchdahl's legal strategy effectively highlighted the contractor's fraudulent actions and reliance on false assurances, illuminating complexities in breach of contract cases under New York law.

Deep dives

Significant Win Against a Major Contractor

A landmark legal victory was achieved when BML Properties was awarded $1.6 billion in a case against China Construction America Inc. The case stemmed from a luxury resort project in the Bahamas, where misrepresentations about the project timeline led to financial ruin for the plaintiff. Despite the complexities involving international finance and construction, the court found substantial evidence of fraud as the contractor failed to deliver on promised deadlines. This outcome showcases the critical importance of reliable contracts and the responsibility of contractors, particularly in high-stakes projects.

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