Wood Smith Henning & Berman Founding Partner Stephen Henning will speak at Perrin Conferences' National Construction Defect Conference, taking place November 12-23, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale.
Henning will join the panel "Jurisdictional Analysis and Future Outlook of Nationwide Industry Trends" on Thursday, November 12, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. The discussion will examine jurisdictions seeing the most construction defect activity, emerging markets, 2026 filing and building trends, and what the industry may face in 2027. Panelists will also address construction risks, state-specific standards for work in new jurisdictions and housing legislation.
"Construction defect risks can look extremely different from one state to the next," Henning said. "As builders enter new markets and housing laws evolve, understanding the standards that govern each project is essential. I look forward to discussing what we're seeing across the country and how the industry can prepare for what comes next."
Michael Bryant, Vice President and Head of P&C at the Riverstone Group, will moderate the discussion. Henning's fellow panelists are Benjamin Dowers of Gunther Legal and Phyllis Modlin, Director and Senior Counsel, Casualty Claims at Markel.
Stephen J. Henning is the co-founder of Wood Smith Henning & Berman, LLP, a prestigious Am Law 125 law firm with an international presence spanning 42 offices. Renowned for his expertise as a litigator, Steve has garnered national recognition for his exceptional results in complex construction, real estate, business, and employment litigation. He also enjoys experience handling all facets of professional liability and toxic tort litigation.
Steve regularly represents Fortune 500 companies and prominent figures in the business community, as well as some of the largest residential and commercial public and private owners, homebuilders, developers, investors, contractors, and lenders in the nation. His track record of success has solidified his reputation as a trusted legal resource for high-profile clients.
As a sought-after thought leader in the legal field, Steve is a frequent speaker and prolific author on emerging issues. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Steve was honored with the 2019 CLM's Professional of the Year for Outside Legal Counsel award. He also is the first defense lawyer to receive the prestigious Jerrold S. Oliver Award for his significant contributions to the construction community. In 2022, Steve was named the RISE Mentor of the Year, further solidifying his status as a respected leader in the industry. His exceptional legal writing skills were recognized with the prestigious 2023 Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award, highlighting his ability to articulate complex legal concepts with clarity and precision. In both 2024 and 2025, the Los Angeles Business Journal recognized Steve as one of the Top 100 lawyers in Los Angeles, underscoring his exceptional legal acumen, leadership, and dedication to excellence in his practice. Additionally, in 2025, he was selected as the Community Impact Award Honoree by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
For conference details and registration, visit the Perrin Conferences event page: https://www.perrinconferences.com/conferences/cd26/
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