G. Trippe Hawthorne

"Be hard on the facts – not on the people. Conflict can have a large cost – both financial and in other resources. I am at my best when I help my clients solve problems and move forward with achieving their goals."

Trippe Hawthorne advises on all phases of construction development and dispute resolution and general commercial litigation. He is valued by clients and colleagues alike for being a collaborative, creative, practical, and common-sense advisor and advocate. Trippe is an active member of the Louisiana State Law Institute Council, and represents the Law Institute as its representative to the Louisiana State Bar Association Board of Governors. Having served as General Counsel to the Louisiana State Licensing Board of Contractors, Trippe brings an insider’s perspective to advising on cutting edge construction issues, administrative law, and occupational licensing.

Trippe advises on all facets of design and construction contracting and dispute resolution across a wide variety of sectors, including industrial, commercial, public, and residential properties. He brings proven skill to guiding clients through the public bidding and procurement process and advises on public and private works lien laws. Trippe has successfully negotiated and litigated construction projects that range from millions to billions of dollars in value.

Trippe is dedicated to guiding domestic and international businesses of all sizes through the legalities of construction risk, opportunity, and dispute resolution at every phase of development. From project inception, through dispute resolution and completion, Trippe serves as a one-stop outside legal advisor to construction industry players. He focuses on delivering an interactive, efficient approach to detecting problems early on and to identifying and mitigating the inherent risks in such initiatives.

Notably, Trippe served as Special Advisor to the Louisiana Law Institute Security Devices Committee for its Private Works Act Revision Project and is a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, and chairman of its Construction Law Committee. He is a frequent speaker on construction and design-related topics, such as the Louisiana contractor's licensing law, industrial engineering, construction contracting and procurement, construction industry issues, heavily negotiated contract provisions, and public bid disputes. Trippe also presents on ADR and the topic of diversity in the legal profession.

Trippe is a member of the Louisiana Law Institute ADR Committee. He is a Certified Mediator, serving as an arbitrator and mediator with Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions and listed in the Louisiana Civil Mediator's Registry, maintained by the Louisiana State Bar Association ADR Section. Trippe is on the Roster of Arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association and is the American College of Real Estate Lawyers’ representative to the National Construction Dispute Resolution Committee. He is also a graduate of the NITA Advanced Trial Program and the Harvard Program on Negotiation Mediation Training.

Away from the office, Trippe enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters. He also likes participating in triathlons, working on bicycles, and supporting his church. Trippe has been honored with multiple awards for giving back to the community in which he lives and works.

Trippe served as General Counsel to the Louisiana State Licensing Board of Contractors. He brings multi-dimensional skills and an insider perspective to his administrative and occupational licensing law practice. Trippe knows how the licensing board makes decisions from the inside out, has established and maintains professional relationships with many of the agency players, and understands how to properly classify and execute his client’s project licenses on often short deadlines.

Trippe started his legal career as a Law Clerk to the Honorable John V. Parker of the United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, from 1995 to 1996, and learned from Judge Parker the way judges expect disputes to be litigated and what is important to their decisions.