RFC Attorney Matt Patterson’s Experience with the IRTBA Emerging Leaders Program
This past month, RFC Senior Trial Counsel Matt Patterson participated in the Illinois Road & Transportation Builders Association (IRTBA) Emerging Leaders Program. The experience provided a comprehensive look at the transportation infrastructure industry and strengthened our firm’s ability to represent IRTBA clients.
The program brought together approximately 40 emerging professionals from across the industry for a series of sessions focused on the full lifecycle of infrastructure projects. Through these sessions, Matt engaged directly with county engineers, municipal leaders, contractors, and other key stakeholders, gaining valuable insight into how projects are planned, funded, and performed.
The benefit of the program was its broad exposure to both the technical and operational aspects of the industry. Participants explored topics such as highway safety, engineering, design, and construction processes, and toured materials engineering facilities to better understand how projects move from concept to completion.
Matt observed how contractors manage dispatch, equipment, and project coordination, and how these day-to-day activities intersect with contractual obligations and risk management. He also gained a deeper appreciation for how public entities, engineers, and private contractors collaborate and navigate competing priorities to successfully complete complex infrastructure projects.
The program also highlighted the wide range of legal issues that arise in this space. In addition to tort-related concerns, Matt explored commercial and contractual relationships, compliance considerations, and industry-specific dispute resolution strategies.
Finally, the program included advocacy opportunities, with participants traveling to Springfield and Washington, D.C., to meet with policymakers and discuss infrastructure funding priorities. These experiences highlighted the importance of industry representation and provided valuable insight into how policy decisions impact our clients. Overall, the Emerging Leaders Program enhanced our understanding of the industry and strengthened our ability to represent IRTBA members effectively.