Mr. Caputo is the co-chair of Baker Donelson's Construction Group and leads the Firm's Manufacturing Initiative, one focus of which is the comprehensive representation of manufacturers in diverse industries, including automotive and electric vehicle production. He represents public and private owners, contractors and subcontractors and design professionals throughout the entire United States and abroad, serving his construction clients in contract negotiations and construction disputes wherever they arise. A specific focus of Mr. Caputo's practice involves the representation of owners and developers of advanced manufacturing, automotive, hospitality and health care facilities from project inception through the resolution of project-related disputes and during the ultimate operation of the facility.
Mr. Caputo counsels his construction clients through all stages of construction and development of a project, with extensive knowledge and experience in the negotiation and drafting of construction and development contracts and other supplemental agreements, including many of the standard construction forms used worldwide. He has litigated numerous complex construction claims related to the recovery of contract balances and defective work, as well as schedule-related claims, including liquidated damage claims arising out of delay, disruption or acceleration. In addition to his representation of construction clients in various state and federal courts, Mr. Caputo has participated in various forms of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation.
Along with transactional and litigation work, he consults clients relative to licensing issues, the formation of joint-ventures and other special purpose entities, and in connection with bid protests and other public bidding issues.
Mr. Caputo is listed in Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in construction law and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (and four-time Lawyer of the Year) in the field of construction law.
A second element of his practice is the representation of Italian and other multinational corporations in the establishment and operation of their businesses in the Southeast. In this practice, he assists Italian and other foreign clients in all areas relevant to the commencement and operation of a business in the United States. Mr. Caputo provides counsel on corporate matters, mergers, acquisitions and transactional due diligence, immigration, labor and employment issues, commercial contracts, import/export issues, and in the financing, construction and development of corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities, including the coordination of public incentives associated with capital investment. He is the author of "Constructing a Facility in the United States: Cosa Si Deve Sapere Prima."
Mr. Caputo is an Italian citizen, is proficient in the Italian language, and is the local representative of the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy for various states throughout the Southeast.