JD Howard is an Associate in the firm’s Construction and Environmental Practice Group. JD focuses his practice on the national representation of project owners, developers, investors, equity partners, and lenders in the drafting, negotiation, and review of design, engineering, consulting, and construction agreements. He routinely drafts and negotiates complex, multimillion-dollar contracts associated with the design, construction, development, and renovation of major commercial ventures, multi-family housing developments (condominiums, apartments, and townhomes), industrial properties (warehouses and light manufacturing facilities), as well as healthcare, hospitality, and mixed-use projects. JD regularly advises clients on issues that arise from the pre-construction project development and planning phase (including necessary insurance coverages for construction projects) through the completion of the construction of their projects, including evaluating and responding to claims that arise during the construction process. JD assists clients with the drafting and negotiation of contracts for the development and renovation of recreational projects like golf courses and pickleball facilities. JD also frequently assists clients with the redevelopment of environmentally-impacted properties.
JD attended law school at the University of Georgia on the Hughes-Green family scholarship. While in law school, he served as Class President for the Class of 2016 and was the Senior Managing Editor of the Georgia Journal of International & Comparative Law. JD also worked as a teaching assistant for Dean Lori Ringhand and a research assistant for Professor Kent Barnett.
JD received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Tusculum College in Business Administration with Management Accounting and Economics & International Business Concentrations. He won the Warren Lynn Drain Award for the top business graduate and the President’s Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to Tusculum College’s academic excellence, athletic achievement, leadership, and exemplary demonstration of personal character. JD was a pitcher for Tusculum’s baseball team, helping the team take home two conference championships and make two NCAA tournament appearances.
