TZL 1608 (web)

TRANSACTIONS THE STONEWALL GROUP ANNOUNCES NEWEST ACQUISITION OF AMDG ARCHITECTS The Stonewall Group, a private investment firm focused on acquiring, investing in, and operating premier architecture and engineering companies across the United States, has announced its partnership with AMDG Architects, a respected architecture and design firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 2018, The Stonewall Group partners with architecture and engineering firm owners and founders to support their transition out of business ownership and into the next chapter of their personal, professional, and financial lives. With a track record of successful integrations, the firm now operates in more than eight major U.S. cities and supports over 200 employees. AMDG represents The Stonewall Group’s sixth partnership, to date. Established in 1992, AMDG Architects provides architecture and interior design services to clients across education, workplace, civic, worship, and residential markets. Guided by its mission to “care

for people and steward creation through design,” AMDG has built a reputation for exceptional design quality, client service, and values-driven leadership – making the firm a natural fit within The Stonewall Group’s family of brands. “Our partnership with The Stonewall Group allows us to remain committed to our mission while gaining the resources and support needed to expand our reach and capabilities,” said Peter Baldwin, AMDG principal. “We are excited to build on our foundation while creating new opportunities for our clients and team members.” Ben Moody, co-founder and CEO of The Stonewall Group, added, “AMDG embodies the characteristics we look for in a partner – exceptional design talent, a strong leadership team, and a deep commitment to serving clients with excellence. We look forward to supporting AMDG’s continued growth while honoring the culture and values that have made them successful for more than 30 years.” The Stonewall Group’s portfolio of architecture, engineering, and design

firms delivers best-in-class services to a diverse range of end markets, including K-12 and higher education, hospitality, luxury resorts and hotels, athletic facilities, healthcare, restaurants, industrial, manufacturing, and energy. The company’s collaborative approach emphasizes long-term relationships, operational excellence, and sustained value creation for its partners. Headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana, The Stonewall Group is an investment and management firm focused exclusively on the architecture and engineering sector. The Stonewall Group partners with leading architecture and engineering companies to accelerate growth, strengthen operations, and expand opportunities for their people and clients. By providing strategic resources, scalable systems, and a culture of accountability, Stonewall empowers firms to thrive while preserving their unique identities. Since its founding in 2018, The Stonewall Group has grown into a national platform supporting a network of premier architecture and engineering brands serving diverse end markets.

Despite these concerns, AI is here and forthcoming in construction dispute resolution. The industry must continue preparing for the eventual use of AI. The reality is that the large amount of data generated from construction software programs provides an opportunity to use AI to synthesize. However, the results of the synthesis must be verified, and not blindly accepted. AI can be used as a guide in disputes to analyze and predict outcomes. But, more importantly, the use of AI must be approached with careful consideration of the resulting information and protection of confidential information. Safeguarding and protecting confidential and proprietary information must be addressed and incorporated. From my perspective, AI can be best applied as a resource for consideration and guidance, but not as a conclusion or answer for construction dispute resolution. AI will synthesize data, but it requires the experience of a seasoned construction consulting professional to consider the information derived from AI sources and apply it to the analysis and conclusions. Thomas Mitchell, PE, CFCC, is a senior project manager at Urban Engineers, Inc. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

THOMAS MITCHELL, from page 9

When examining the vast amount of data generated by construction projects, AI proves to be a valuable tool in predicting potential outcomes based on data and past litigated findings. By identifying possible issues before they arise through the analysis of trends and patterns in contract disputes, AI can help improve contract management, even reducing conflicts within construction projects. AI applications, such as Lex Machina and Solomonic, have demonstrated an ability to rely on past litigated judgments with additional data input to reach a predicted conclusion, which can assist in the decision-making of whether to negotiate a settlement or move forward with litigation. However, the use of AI comes with its challenges. As we are still in the early stages of utilizing the software in construction disputes, the primary concern is maintaining the confidentiality of parties during data processing with the AI machine. The question arises, how is the data protected from being released or accessed by outside non-participating parties? Such data could include personal information, company financial information, and intellectual property. As noted in an article by the American Bar Association entitled “Artificial Intelligence in Construction: Potential Capabilities and Risks,” consideration must be made for data privacy laws and copyright infringements.

THE ZWEIG LETTER NOVEMBER 3, 2025, ISSUE 1608

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