# Public Work, Private Money: Securing Your Pay

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/construction-legal-made-easy-6524910/public-work-private-money-securing-your-pay
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/construction-legal-made-easy-6524910/public-work-private-money-securing-your-pay.md
Podcast: [Construction Legal Made Easy](https://stenobird.com/podcast/construction-legal-made-easy-6524910)
Published: 2026-07-06T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://b3b9db25-16d7-4003-8965-8d5253a4e3df.libsyn.com/public-work-private-money-securing-your-pay
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/b3b9db25-16d7-4003-8965-8d5253a4e3df/CLME_06july26.mp3?dest-id=4086060
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/construction-legal-made-easy-6524910/episodes/public-work-private-money-securing-your-pay
Duration seconds: 444

## Resource

You can't lien the government, but you can still get paid. Karalynn breaks down public projects, performance and payment bonds, Miller Act and state "little Miller" laws, and the notices, bond claims, and lawsuits that replace lien rights on government jobs. Learn more about The Cromeens Law Firm here ! Grab Karalynn's new book Trust Your Gut here . Follow Karalynn Cromeens on Facebook here . Follow Karalynn Cromeens on Instagram here . Follow Karalynn Cromeens on LinkedIn here . Watch the show on YouTube here . Key Takeaways 1. You cannot file a lien on state or federal projects; sovereign immunity blocks direct suits against the government. 2. Public owners require GCs to get performance and payment bonds so the surety guarantees completion and payment. 3. To get paid, you must send timely notices, file a sworn bond claim with the surety, and, if needed, sue on the bond. 4. Best practice is to get a copy of the GC's bond at the start of the job so you are not scrambling for it when unpaid.

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## Transcript

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