Baker Law Group LLC announced that Senior Associate Jonathan Berjikian has joined firm founder Jeremy S. Baker as a liaison to the American Institute of Architects Contract Documents Committee. Baker has served in the liaison role since 2015, and Berjikian's addition in 2026 gives the firm two representatives on the influential committee that drafts, revises and maintains the AIA's standard form agreements used across the design and construction industry.
The AIA Contract Documents Committee oversees owner-architect, owner-contractor, design-build and consultant agreements that serve as foundational documents for construction projects nationwide. The committee's work follows a consensus process that incorporates multiple industry perspectives and is supported by AIA staff counsel and subject-matter contributors. As liaisons, Baker and Berjikian will provide practitioner feedback on draft language, identify contracting issues that arise in day-to-day project work, and contribute to discussions that inform future editions of the AIA documents.
"It's a huge honor for Jonathan, and I'm excited to work with him in this new capacity," Baker said. "The liaison role lets us bring real project issues back into the drafting conversations, which is where the documents either stay practical or drift away from practice." Berjikian, a senior associate at Baker Law who advises project participants on contract negotiation and project risk across delivery methods, expressed gratitude for the opportunity. "I'm grateful for the help from Jeremy and the AIA," Berjikian said. "AIA documents shape how teams allocate risk and solve problems, and I'm looking forward to contributing feedback that reflects what we see on active projects."
The timing of Berjikian's appointment coincides with the committee's preparation for its next comprehensive update, targeted for release in 2027. The committee typically reviews and updates its core documents on a 10-year cycle, with widely used editions such as the A201 and B101 forms having been released in 2017. This update cycle represents a significant opportunity to shape industry standards that will govern construction contracts for the coming decade.
For the construction industry, having two liaisons from the same firm provides Baker Law Group with enhanced influence over the development of contract language that affects risk allocation, dispute resolution, and project management practices. The firm's representation on the committee allows it to advocate for practical language that reflects real-world project challenges while representing client interests in the evolving legal framework. The AIA documents serve as the backbone for countless construction projects, making committee decisions impactful for architects, engineers, developers, owners, and contractors who rely on these standardized agreements.
The addition of Berjikian strengthens Baker Law Group's position as a firm with direct input into the documents that govern construction relationships and risk management. As the industry prepares for the 2027 update, the dual representation provides the firm with greater capacity to identify emerging issues and propose solutions based on current project experiences. More information about the AIA Contract Documents Committee can be found at https://www.aia.org/resources.
