Courtney Chen

Courtney Chen is a Managing Associate at Dentons, focusing on Construction Law. Her practice is dedicated to serving the complex legal needs of the construction and real estate industry.

She represents industry leaders, including owners, developers and other key stakeholders, in all stages of construction, guiding clients from the earliest stages of project inception through final completion and closeout.

Courtney brings deep experience in preparing, negotiating and advising on the full spectrum of contract documents essential to the demolition, construction and development of real estate. She handles projects of every scale, from multibillion-dollar high-rise towers and large-scale commercial developments to tenant improvement and fit-out projects, both in the US (from coast to coast) and globally, including Europe, Asia, UAE and Oceania. Her work encompasses prime contracts, design agreements, construction management agreements, owner-contractor agreements and related ancillary documents, all tailored to address the unique risks and requirements of each engagement.

Courtney’s background in litigation gives her a distinct advantage in the transactional space. Having seen firsthand how construction disputes arise and unfold, she brings a litigation-informed perspective to her transactions, allowing her to identify potential areas of exposure and mitigate risk before it materialises into costly disputes.

She was selected as a pupilage member of the Theodore McMillian American Inns of Court (2019–2020) and recognised in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Real Estate Law (2027). She is Vice President of the Missouri Asian American Bar Association (2023–present) and serves as an Adjunct Professor and Director of the Trial Team programme at Saint Louis University School of Law (2022–present). She holds a J.D., with honors, from Saint Louis University School of Law and a B.A. in Business from the University of Missouri.