Free Webinar | Dangerous Liaisons: Managing Potential Risks in the Construction Contract Administration Phase

Posted by & filed under Events.

Presented by:
Jim D. Atkins, President, Atkins Consulting Solutions
Andrew D. Mendelson, FAIA, Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Management Officer, Berkley Design Professional

Wednesday, November 5, 2025
10-11:30 AM Pacific
12-1:30 PM Central
1-2:30 PM Eastern

Approved for:
1.5 AIA Learning Units 
1.5 RCEP Professional Development Hours+

Berkley DP policyholders who participate in this program can qualify for a 15% Risk Management Education credit. Contact your agent for further information*

Register Now

Since most claims arise during the construction phase, architects and engineers can improve their risk posture by being aware of potential perils and managing services to the best advantage during construction. This session explores risks that can arise during construction. Suggestions will be provided based on actual project experience to guard against and hopefully avoid possible pitfalls. Case studies are included for each topic presented. Architects and engineers should not miss this mission critical discussion.

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Resilient Design in 2025: A Smarter Standard in a Changing Climate

Posted by & filed under BDP Blog.

By Andrew D. Mendelson, FAIA
Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Management Officer
Berkley Design Professional, a Berkley Company

October 7, 2025

Climate change is transforming the work of design professionals across the United States. In 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded 27 weather and climate disasters, each causing more than $1 billion in damages. That’s three times the annual average of the nine events per year recorded between 1980 and 2024. These disasters included major floods, hurricanes, wildfires and other extreme weather events that continue to challenge infrastructure and design standards.

The changing climate has not gone unnoticed by the design and insurance communities. In recent years, architects and engineers have made meaningful progress in addressing climate-related risks and embracing resilient design. Although progress is difficult to quantify across such a broad sector, one trend is unmistakable: Awareness of climate risk is at an all-time high. That awareness is a critical first step toward lasting, industry-wide change.

When Code Compliance Falls Short

At Berkley Design Professional, we started noticing a shift about 10 years ago, after several policyholders experienced major losses in storm-prone areas including Central and South Texas. Even though they were designed to comply with code, the built projects were overwhelmed by storms that exceeded FEMA projections and historical climate models.

While engineers and architects are obligated to comply with the existing codes, the challenge is to encourage those involved in designing projects to consider recent severe climate events, become educated about future predictions, and adapt to the changing world.

Today, more design professionals understand this. Over the past five years, we’ve observed a noticeable increase in awareness. Engineers and architects are realizing that minimum code compliance might no longer be sufficient.

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Jude Sedliak Named Chief Underwriting Officer of Berkley Design Professional

Posted by & filed under News Releases.

MONTEREY, Calif., October 6, 2025 – Berkley Design Professional, a division of Berkley Alliance Managers, a Berkley Company, specializing in professional liability insurance products and services for architects and engineers, has announced Jude Sedliak as chief underwriting officer.

“Jude’s extensive professional liability underwriting experience, including 20 years in an A&E professional liability role, positions him perfectly to lead our underwriting team and aligns with our commitment to providing innovative solutions for clients in the design professional industry,” said Tom Rea, executive vice president of Berkley Design Professional.

Jude joined Berkley Service Professionals, a division of Berkley Alliance Managers, in 2021 as vice president, underwriting. He was promoted to senior vice president in 2023. He has nearly 30 years of experience underwriting professional liability insurance. Jude’s expertise includes over a dozen E&O classes, with 20 years specifically in A&E professional liability. He previously served as vice president at two leading E&S insurance carriers and at a managing general agency. Jude has achieved the designation of Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU).

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