ZETLIN & DE CHIARA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- President, a.L. Consulting
Job Titles:
- of Counsel
- of Counsel, Discussed the Risks & Opportunities of NYC LL97. He Addressed
- Professionals / Services / News & Events
Tony DiBrita focuses his practice on contract preparation and negotiation, risk management, dispute resolution and general business matters. His extensive experience includes professional liability claim and litigation management; the development and implementation of corporate risk management policies and procedures; construction and professional services contract review and negotiation; insurance procurement; corporate business registration and professional licensure. Mr. DiBrita also provides counsel on issues relating to corporate governance, ownership transition, and related requirements and documentation.
Prior to joining Zetlin & De Chiara, Mr. DiBrita served as General Counsel and Risk Manager for DeSimone Consulting Engineers PLLC; as Senior Counsel to The Thornton-Tomasetti Group, Inc.; as Assistant General Counsel to the New York City Department of Design and Construction; as Assistant General Counsel to the New York City Department of Buildings, and as Vice Chair of the New York City Electrical License Board.
Experience
Representative Matters
The following are select representative matters:
A news brief announcing the promotion of Bill Chimos, James Rowland, Eric Morgenweck and Jeffrey Yick was published in the February 17, 2010 issue of Real Estate Weekly
Job Titles:
- AVP, Claims Advocate Lead, Alliant Insurance Services / Construction Services
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Senior Partner
- Moderator
- President of MTA Capital Construction
- Senior Partner / New York, NY
- Senior Partner, Named a City & State 2022 "Responsible 100" Honoree
- Senior Partner, to Moderate Crew NY 2018 Powerful Women in Real Estate Panel
- Z & D Senior Partner
Carol J. Patterson, Senior Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, is a broadly experienced construction industry litigator and transactional attorney who advises clients on complex litigations, contracts and risk management strategies. Owners, developers, engineers, architects, construction managers, contractors and investors seek Ms. Patterson's counsel on general business matters relating to construction ventures and specific project issues. Prominent national and international firms have consulted her on matters relating to the design and construction of major projects in the technology, financial, educational, justice, healthcare, pharmaceutical, hospitality, civic, infrastructure, and cultural sectors.
Ms. Patterson is known for developing comprehensive legal road maps for her clients, anticipating and addressing issues, outcomes and consequences that could affect a project or company's desired outcome. A creative advocate with a background in international relations, she excels at structuring agreements that enable her clients to advance their key business and project goals. Her work also focuses on crafting solutions to defuse situations that could become litigious. In a career of over 25 years, she has skillfully negotiated hundreds of millions of dollars in claims, settlements and contracts throughout the United States and abroad.
In New York, she has been involved in high profile projects including the modernization of Lincoln Center, the Jacob Javits Center, the Museum of Modern Art and new buildings at Hudson Yards. She also has extensive experience consulting on residential and commercial development, design and construction.
She frequently speaks and writes on topics of interest to the Real Estate and Construction Industries and has lectured at the New York University Real Estate Institute, Columbia University School of Engineering and Polytechnic University. Ms. Patterson was an editor of Construction Law, the widely used textbook, published by the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry, that provides a comprehensive introduction to the construction industry and the laws that govern it.
Ms. Patterson is an engaged member of the professional community who supports opportunities for women interested in the real estate and construction industry. She previously served on the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association's Forum on Construction Law and served as Chair of the Forum's Publications Committee and its Diversity Committee. Ms. Patterson is a Fellow of the American College of Construction and served on its Board of Governors. She is also a past president of the Associate of Real Estate Women (now the New York City Chapter of CREW). She serves as General Counsel to the Metropolitan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers and is affiliated with the American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute, and New York Building Congress. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Salvadori Center, an organization that partners with public schools to provide exciting STEAM programs to allow students to explore exciting educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and related fields.
She has garnered recognition for her contributions to the Real Estate and Building communities. Just recently, The National Law Journal named her a Real Estate/Construction Law Trailblazer for her illustrious career and her work as the lead editor of the ABA publication, Construction Law, 2nd edition. Commercial Observer presented her with a Barrier Breaker Award for her leadership and outstanding career. She was similarly recognized by the Real Estate Forum Magazine as a Woman of Influence, by the Real Estate Weekly as a Women Real Estate Leader of the 21st Century, and as a Chambers USA Leading Lawyer. Ms. Patterson was also recognized by Super Lawyers and as an Outstanding Woman by the Women Builders Council. She received the Founder's Award by the Association of Real Estate Women and was selected as one of the Top 50 Women in Real Estate.
Experience
Representative Matters
The following are select representative matters:
Zetlin & De Chiara Senior Partner Carol J. Patterson has been named to City & State's 2022 "Responsible 100," a list of "New York's 100 most outstanding corporate citizens."
Carol J. Patterson served as the lead editor for the newly revised American Bar Association (ABA) Forum on Construction Law's updated textbook, Construction Law, Second Edition, which is now available. Timothy Hegarty is among the co-authors of the textbook.
Carol J. Patterson co-authored Construction Law, the definitive construction law text book to be used by universities throughout the United States and published by the American Bar Association, Spring 2009.
Job Titles:
- Risk Management Convocation Breakfast
Job Titles:
- EVP, Safety, Risk and Insurance, Gilbane Building Company
Job Titles:
- Professionals / Services / News & Events
Hal Blanchard focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and arbitration. He has extensive experience litigating a wide range of construction-related matters, including design defects, contract scope disputes, delay, impact and acceleration claims, differing site conditions, defaults and bid protests, as well as advising on contract interpretation, suretyship, and other matters of importance to architects, engineers, owners and contractors.
Prior to joining Zetlin & De Chiara, Mr. Blanchard served as in-house counsel to MTA New York City Transit, where he was responsible for handling contract disputes arising out of the maintenance and rehabilitation of the New York City subway. He also represented the MTA in Article 78 proceedings along with federal and state court litigation involving breach of contract, property damage, ADA discrimination, and class actions filed on behalf of disgruntled subway riders. He was previously a commercial litigator at a large New York law firm.
Fluent in Mandarin with an interest in Chinese law and policy, Mr. Blanchard spent much of his early career working abroad as a foreign legal consultant to a Chinese law firm in Shanghai, an intern at the Hong Kong Department of Justice, and a linguist at National Taiwan University in Taipei. He has translated hundreds of legal, financial and technical documents from Chinese into English.
Mr. Blanchard has been published in the Florida Journal of International Law, the Fordham International Law Journal and the Columbia East Asian Review on issues relating to Chinese constitutionalism, the "one country, two systems" framework of Hong Kong's Basic Law, and the legality of the war in Iraq. He has been named to The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch list for Construction Law and Litigation - Construction in New York.
Experience
Representative Matters
The following are select representative matters:
Construction law firm Zetlin & De Chiara LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Hal Blanchard, who joins the firm's New York office as an Associate.
Job Titles:
- New Jersey Appellate Division Judge
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- Partner and CREW New York Leader Will Serve As a Judge at a Mock RFP Team Challenge
Job Titles:
- Judge
- Partner
- Appointed Chair of Design Division of the ABA Forum on the Construction Industry
- Executive Profile
- Moderator
- Partner / New York, NY
- Partner at Construction Law Firm
- Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, Was Recognized by the New York Real Estate Journal in Its Women and Real Estate Feature
- Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara, Participated in the Commercial Observer 's 5th Annual Healthcare Construction Forum on September 23, 2021
- Partner, and Patricia Harris, Special Counsel, Will Speak on a Panel, Business Up Front
- Partner, Panelist
- Partner, Recognized in the NYREJ As a Leader in the Field
- Partner, Will Participate in a Panel That Will Discuss Contract and Common Law Claims, Prosecution of Claims and Remedies.
Jaimee L. Nardiello is a Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP. She focuses her practice on disputes involving construction, contracts, and environmental/energy laws. She manages litigations from inception and has worked on some through trial, developing and executing strategy, and advocating on behalf of clients in court. Ms. Nardiello represents clients in all stages of commercial litigation. She has a proven track record for winning dismissals, mitigating liability, and preserving the reputations of her clients.
Jaimee Nardiello, Partner, Recognized in the NYREJ as a Leader in the Field
Jaimee Nardiello, Partner, was featured in the New York Real Estate Journal as an industry leader. The publication asked her about her career.
Jaimee Nardiello, Partner, was honored by CREWNY with its Founder's Award as a member who exemplifies the finest qualities of the organization, consistently supports CREWNY's mission and goals, and does so with remarkable generosity in sharing both time and talent in support of others.
Jaimee Nardiello, a partner at construction law firm Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, will speak at the 2019 American Bar Association (ABA) Forum on Construction Law's midwinter conference on Public Construction Projects: Not Always a Hollywood Ending. The conference will celebrate the town's creativity and vitality as it explores the characteristics of public construction.
"CREW New York's history is an inspiration to all of us, recreated real estate in our city, and offered countless opportunities to women," said Jaimee Nardiello, 2018 CREW New York presidenta and a partner with Zetlin & De Chiara LLP. "With such a great foundation, we're about looking to the future, helping women enter, learn and succeed in our industry.
Jaimee Nardiello, Partner, will participate in a panel that will discuss Contract and Common Law Claims, Prosecution of Claims and Remedies.
Jaimee Nardiello, Partner, will participate in a panel discussion about leadership at the UCREW Program. The program, geared to undergraduate and graduate students, is an exceptional opportunity to meet with and learn from dynamic industry professionals who will share their hard-earned and honed real estate experience.
Jaimee Nardiello, Partner, moderated a panel that discussed the most important drivers in the office market in Lower Manhattan at Commercial Observer's 3rd Annual Downtown Forum. 2018 was a banner year in the Downtown market for commercial office leasing, and 2019 shows no change in this trend. Leasing activity continues to diversify and there is plenty of new supply coming to market.
Jaimee Nardiello, Partner, and Patricia Harris, Special Counsel, will speak on a panel, Business Up Front: Contracts and Compliance at the ASLA SKILL | ED program. The panelists will share their expertise regarding the practical challenges faced by all design professionals when they establish their own practices.
Job Titles:
- Partner / New York, NY
- Partner of Zetlin
James H. Rowland is a Partner of Zetlin & De Chiara. With more than 20 years of litigation experience, Mr. Rowland represents clients in complex commercial and construction litigation matters, including the resolution of claims through trial, mediation and arbitration. He also drafts construction contracts for owners and design professionals and advises clients on business-related matters, professional licensing, insurance issues and risk management. Mr. Rowland has extensive experience with negotiating License Agreements between adjoining property owners as well as prosecuting and defending RPAPL Section 881 Proceedings. He represents architects, engineers, contractors, owners, developers, and construction managers in all aspects of the construction process, and he has appeared in New York State and Federal Court.
Mr. Rowland has successfully obtained pre-answer dismissals of numerous lawsuits against design professionals including wrongful death and substantial property damage claims. He has also represented design professionals in connection with both governmental and private investigations and lawsuits concerning alleged Federal, State, and local accessibility non-compliance. Mr. Rowland has successfully represented a design professional in connection with ADA and FHA Claims asserted by the United States Department of Justice.
He also represents design professionals in Administrative hearings in front of the the NYC Department of Buildings, Fire Department, and Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).
Mr. Rowland Serves as General Counsel to the AIA Staten Island and to Society of American Registered Architects, New York City Chapter. He was recognized by the Queens Center of Progress with a Business Leaders Award. He was also recognized by Super Lawyers.
Experience
Representative Matters
The following are select representative matters:
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Moderator
- Partner and Timothy Hegarty, Partner
James J. Terry, a partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, is a successful litigator, negotiator and advocate specializing in the resolution of complex design, development and construction management disputes across the spectrum of the built environment.
In practice for more than four decades, his portfolio includes construction defect claims, bid protests, change orders, liquidated damages, delays, cumulative impact claims, lost productivity, acceleration and inefficiency claims for national and international clients. He resolves disputes involving construction contract and tort issues through mediation, arbitration and litigation. He has defended or secured more than hundreds of millions of dollars in claims and settlements on behalf of his clients.
Mr. Terry devotes a significant portion of his practice to contract preparation, and he has negotiated and drafted construction management contracts for major real estate development projects in the academic, institutional, cultural, hospitality, medical, retail and office sectors.
A skillful communicator, he excels at making clear the responsibilities and rights of all parties in a transaction and ensuring that his clients' roles are accurately reflected in agreements. His clients also seek his counsel on matters of risk management and general business practices.
Mr. Terry's expertise includes the development and execution of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) that set labor compensation, work rules, schedules and performance expectations upfront, with the goal of ensuring quality and achieving the economical and efficient completion of a construction project.
In addition, Mr. Terry has deep experience in the area of performance and payment bond agreements. He has represented bond sureties in connection with the takeover and completion of several major projects from defaulting contractors; these include a sewage treatment plant, a state transportation authority complex, portions of the Washington D.C. and New York City subway systems and a substantial railroad maintenance facility.
Prior to joining Zetlin and De Chiara, Mr. Terry served as Vice President/General Counsel of F.J. Sciame Construction Co., Inc. As a Litigation Partner of an international law firm, he served as the lead appellate attorney in a significant and precedent-setting win for his client and benefiting similarly situated industry participants.
He is a member of the New York Building Congress and the Federal Bar Council, and is a former arbitrator for the Court-Annexed Arbitration Program, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Recent publications of his include "Leveraging Labor to Control Costs " in Construction Today.
Mr. Terry holds the notable AV rating for ethical standards and legal ability from Martindale Hubbell and has been recognized in the practice area of construction law by Super Lawyers in New York. The Best Lawyers in America has recognized Mr. Terry as a leading construction lawyer in New York.
Experience
Representative Matters
The following are select representative matters:
Jim Terry, Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara, explains the impact of project labor agreements in Construction Dive following President Biden's executive order.
James Terry is honored by Client Choice Awards as top Construction Attorney
Job Titles:
- Principal, Dagher Engineering
Job Titles:
- General Counsel, Jaros, Baum & Bolles
Job Titles:
- Professionals / Services / News & Events
Mr. Song received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and his J.D., cum laude, from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. During law school, he mediated cases for the New York City Small Claims Court and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Mr. Song also served as the Managing Editor of the Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights and Social Justice.
(New York, October 7, 2022) - Lion H. Song has joined Zetlin & De Chiara LLP in its New York office. Mr. Song represents design professionals, real estate owners and developers, and other members of the construction industry in litigation matters.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Construction, Hines
Michael Vardaro, Managing Partner, will join a panel at the ABA Forum on Construction Law to discuss the nuances of construction contracts. In-house counsel frequently draft and negotiate core construction contracts, but projects often require a variety of other specialized ancillary agreements, including joint venture arrangements, special project access issues, non-disclosure and confidentiality, unusual project finance, letters of intent, and other issues. You can sleep soundly when you have adequately papered the deal for these critical, and often unique, situations.
Michael K. De Chiara was quoted in the feature story of the September 2006 issue of New York Magazine titled, "The Breaking of Michael Arad."
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Senior Partner
- Biz Groups Fight Town Apprentice Plan, Real Estate Weekly
- Ex Architect Advisory Council
- Moderates BISNOW Construction and Development Summit Panel
- Moderates ENR 's Healthcare Construction Conference
- Presented With Honorary Member of AIA New York State Award
- Senior Partner, Moderator
- Senior Partner, Responded to the New York Real Estate Journal 's Question of the Month, "What Are the Goals of Local Law 97 and How Does NYC Plan to Achieve Them?"
Michael De Chiara, Senior Partner, responded to the New York Real Estate Journal's Question of the Month, "What are the goals of Local Law 97 and how does NYC plan to achieve them?"
Michael De Chiara, Zetlin & De Chiara (Moderator); John Cahill, JLL; Mary Howard, Design Technologies; Susan Crinnion, J.P. Morgan
Michael De Chiara, Senior Partner, will moderate a panel discussion about the transformation of NYC Metro Life Sciences economy into the largest life science economy in the United States in just twenty years. This session will, highlight the private sector macro trends driving industry growth, map where concentrated development is occurring, and will provide a forecast for future opportunities and areas of expansion.
Michael K. De Chiara, Zetlin & De Chiara; Scott Frank-JB&B; Josephine Zurica-Dagher Engineering
Michael De Chiara, Michael Zetlin, Ray Mellon and Carol Patterson were named leading construction litigators
Michael De Chiara, Michael Zetlin, Ray Mellon and Carol Patterson were named leading construction litigators in the January 26 - February 8, 2010 issue of New York Real Estate Journal.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Founding Partner
- Partner
- Senior Partner
- Co - Founding Partner
- Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers
- Lawyer of the Year" by the Best Lawyers in America
- Moderator
- Senior Partner / New York, NY
- Senior Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, Moderated a Panel Discussion Hosted by the New York Building Congress - "ADR" Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Senior Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, Will Moderate the Queens Panel at the Commercial Observer 's 5th Annual Brooklyn, Queens Forum on October 31, 2019
Michael S. Zetlin, a founding partner of Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, is one of the country's leading construction litigators and contract specialists who also serves as a strategic advisor to clients.
A graduate civil engineer and attorney, Mr. Zetlin has successfully litigated and arbitrated many multi-million dollar construction claims throughout the United States on projects ranging across all markets including institutional, commercial, residential, energy and infrastructure. He has also drafted and negotiated contracts on projects with construction values in the hundreds of millions of dollars within these sectors.
Mr. Zetlin is a fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers and is a member of the National Academy of Construction. He holds the notable AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is consistently recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US, Super Lawyers, and The Best Lawyers of America as a leading litigator in construction law. He been named three times as the "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - Construction in New York and twice for Construction Law in New York. He has been appointed to the International Who's Who of Construction Lawyers by Who's Who Legal.
Mr. Zetlin was selected to the Power Construction 50 along with many of New York's luminaries in the building community. Cited as "a prolific litigator…who handles construction claims across a number of sectors…," Michael Zetlin was recognized for his abilities as a construction litigator and contract lawyer as well as his counsel in all aspects of construction projects. Active in many professional and community organizations, Mr. Zetlin serves as General Counsel to the New York Building Congress and to the AIA New York; and is an adjunct Professor at Columbia University, teaching a graduate program with Zetlin & De Chiara partner Timothy Hegarty on "Legal Issues in Building Construction."
Zetlin & De Chiara LLP Senior Partner Michael S. Zetlin and key real estate industry leaders will examine the latest trends in brick and mortar retail for stores looking to attract and engage millennial consumers at Commercial Observer's 3rd Annual Retail Forum on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 in Manhattan.
Zetlin & De Chiara LLP Co-Founder Michael S. Zetlin was recognized for his long and storied legal career representing the development, design and construction industry at City & State's 50 Over 50 awards on January 29, 2019 at Sony Hall.
Michael S. Zetlin, co-founding Partner of leading construction law firm Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, will be honored on December 5 at the 2018 gala of the New York Building Congress. He is being recognized for his long and storied legal career involving the design and construction industry.
Michael Zetlin, a co-founding partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, will lead a panel of New York real estate leaders who will share their perspectives on key issues on Midtown development and at Commercial Observer's 3rd Annual Midtown Forum on Thursday, June 28, 2018 in Manhattan.
Michael S. Zetlin was quoted in the October 2007 supplement of New York Construction News titled "Who Will Build New York?"
Michael S. Zetlin was quoted in the October 2007 supplement of New York Construction News titled "Who Will Build New York?"
Michael Zetlin will discuss the potential legal challenges to the MTA's Rules of Debarment with the Construction Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association.
Job Titles:
- General Counsel to the AIA Staten Island and to Society of American Registered Architects
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- President of MTA Capital Construction
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- Clinical Director, First Care
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- Partner, Goshow Architects ( Moderator )
Puzzled by the process of applying for M/WBE certification? Wondering what you need to qualify? Don't know where to start? Join the AIANY Women in Architecture and Diversity and Inclusion Committees for a panel discussion with experts from NYC agencies to answer these questions and clarify the certification process.
Job Titles:
- Student Housing Project Redevelopment in New Jersey
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- Partner, and Patricia Harris, Special Counsel, Will Speak on a Panel, Business Up Front
- Special Counsel & Founder and CEO of LicenseSure LLC
- Special Counsel - Moderator
- Special Counsel LEED AP / New York, NY
- Special Counsel, Zetlin & De Chiara LLP Founder and CEO, Licensure LLC
Ms. Harris is very active in design industry organizations. She is a member of the Board of Directors and President-Elect of the Global Design Alliance. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation, having served as Board Chair in 2015. In 2012, she served on the Mayor's Task Force for Rebuilding New York City.
She speaks and writes about business organization and professional licensing to industry organizations such as the AIA and ACEC.
Ms. Harris has been recognized for her leadership by the Global Design Alliance which presented her with their Sutherland Award for service to the design industry. She was also selected to appear in the 2021 Super Lawyers list of top rated attorneys.
Experience
Representative Matters
Patti Harris, Special Counsel at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, provides legal and business counsel to architects and engineers across the country. A serial entrepreneur, Ms. Harris is the founder and CEO of Licensesure, which provides business and licensing compliance services to design professionals. From 2000 to 2013, Patti served as the Managing Partner of Zetlin and De Chiara. Ms. Harris started her career as a corporate attorney with two New York City law firms and her legal practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, business organization and management issues, and licensing issues.
Zetlin & De Chiara Special Counsel Patti Harris has been invited to speak on "Professional Business Entities & Licensure: Rules to Live by Whether You're Starting Out or Growing Your Practice" on the EntreArchitect podcast Context & Clarity LIVE.
State laws and regulations affecting architectural practice are voluminous, conflict from state to state, and can impact fundamental aspects of doing business-including licensing, entity formation, marketing, branding and solicitations. For those unaware of or failing to heed the rules, these laws and regulations can result in disciplinary proceedings. This seminar will highlight specific areas where firms, often inadvertently, breach local laws or ethical rules, and will address when regulatory authorities are likely to look for violations.
Job Titles:
- Senior Partner
- General Counsel and Honorary Member of the Brooklyn
- Moderator
- Senior Partner / New York, NY
- Z & D Senior Partner
Raymond T. Mellon, Senior Partner, is a leading construction litigator and experienced trial lawyer with an extensive background representing prominent real estate owners and developers, and architectural, engineering and contracting firms on business negotiations and in litigation. In addition to consulting with clients on general business matters, construction contract drafting and negotiation, and risk management strategies, Mr. Mellon represents design professionals in disciplinary and licensing proceedings before the City and State of New York. Mr. Mellon's clients also include some of the largest developers in the United States as well as owners, developers, construction managers, contractors and other parties in the construction industry.
Mr. Mellon is a leading authority on the issues associated with building in New York City's urban environment where the proximity of the "Building Next Door" requires knowledge of complex safety and licensing issues. He works with owners and developers of commercial, high-rise residential, townhouses and mixed-use properties to protect their adjacent neighbors' structures during construction.
Mr. Mellon is General Counsel and Honorary Member of the Brooklyn and Queens AIA Chapters. He is also an Honorary Member of the New York State AIA. Mr. Mellon is also a member of the National and New York Chapters of the Society of American Registered Architects, the Architects Council of New York City, and the New York Building Congress' Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. Mr. Mellon is a Construction Law Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association (AAA).
Mr. Mellon was selected as a 2020 Trailblazer by the New York Law Journal for his early recognition of the potential use of RPAPL 881, a then under-utilized New York State Law that allows a court to grant a temporary license to access a neighboring property to perform work and install necessary protection work. This becomes especially important when a license agreement cannot be reached with the neighboring property owner. Now widely used, this strategy minimizes disputes that can hold construction projects hostage. City & State Magazine honored him as a 50 Over 50 Leader in New York for his work in as construction lawyer.
Since 1996, Mr. Mellon has been selected by his peers to achieve the AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He is consistently recognized for his experience and expertise as a construction litigator by Chambers USA, Legal 500 US, Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America.
Mr. Mellon is a recipient of the Distinguished Presidential Citation from the Society of American Registered Architects, the New York Society of Architects Distinguished Service Award and the Advancement of the Architectural Professional Award by the Brooklyn AIA.
Experience
Representative Matters
Mr. Mellon represents prominent architectural, engineering and contracting firms on business negotiations and in litigation. In addition to consulting with clients on general business matters, construction contract drafting and negotiation, and risk management strategies, Mr. Mellon represents design professionals in disciplinary and licensing proceedings before the City and State of New York.
Mr. Mellon is a leading authority on the issues associated with building in New York City where the proximity of the "Building Next Door" requires knowledge of complex safety and licensing issues. He works with owners and developers of commercial, high-rise residential, townhouses and mixed-use properties to protect their adjacent neighbors' structures during construction.
The following are select representative matters:
The Queens Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Queens) honored its General Counsel Raymond T. Mellon, Senior Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, on December 13 with a Chapter Citation Award. Mr. Mellon was recognized for his efforts on behalf of AIA Queens to establish the Queens Foundation for Architecture. His legal guidance and advocacy were instrumental to the nonprofit's inception and launch.
Ray Mellon comments on construction industry trends to watch in 2016, Construction Dive, January 2016
Job Titles:
- Exectuive Director, Building Energy Exchange
Michael De Chiara spoke at a BE-Ex Architect Advisory Council (AAC) workshop co-sponsored by the Building Energy Exchange, AIA New York, and ASHRAE New York about the legal risk and responsibility of high performance design and construction, and how to improve compliance with NYC climate legislation.
Job Titles:
- Principal / Managing Director, Gensler
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Professionals / Services / News & Events
Roy H. Schwartz is a Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP. He focuses his practice on commercial and construction litigation. He has defended architects, engineers, and land surveyors in professional malpractice claims, and has also represented developers and contractors. Prior to joining Zetlin & De Chiara, Roy was with a New Jersey law firm where he represented design professionals in the defense of professional liability and related claims. He has lectured on malpractice-related issues. Amongst other notable successes, he has procured summary judgment several times by arguing that plaintiffs' experts have provided inadmissible, net opinions. His experience also includes, for example, representing plaintiffs and defendants in commercial and personal injury claims, and preparing appeals. Roy has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Roy also serves as counsel for AIA Queens.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Principal
- Principal at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, Was Spotlighted in a Profile in Real Estate Journal 's One to Watch Spotlight
- Principal, Was Recognized by AIA Queens for Service to the Organization
Roy Schwartz, Principal, Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, received a Chapter Citation Award for his service to the Queens Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Together with Ray Mellon, a Senior Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, Roy has served as legal counsel to AIA Queens.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / New York, NY
- Partner at Zetlin & De
- Partner, Quoted in "a Wild 15 Months"
- Partner, Renews Her Commitment to the Urban Land Institute Mentoring Program
Tara B. Mulrooney is a partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP. Ms. Mulrooney has an extensive background in representing owners, including developers, real estate investment trusts, luxury retailers, employee benefit funds, major professional sports leagues, cultural and educational institutions, hotel operators and high net worth individuals, as well as architectural and engineering firms, in drafting and negotiating a full range of construction related agreements. Examples of the types of contracts in which she is involved include those for project development, construction management, general contracting, project management, architectural and engineering, project consultants, interior design, and related non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements for multi-family residential projects, hotels, office buildings, mixed use projects, art galleries, educational and cultural institutions, health care facilities, and high-end residential projects.
She also negotiates license and access agreements between project owners and owners of properties adjacent to construction projects. Ms. Mulrooney provides counsel with respect to risk management strategies and issues arising during the course of construction, including payment disputes, termination rights, change order resolution, mechanic's lien claims, violations, delays, construction deficiencies and property damage claims.
In addition to providing legal representation in transactional matters and counsel in connection with risk management strategies and construction issues, Ms. Mulrooney has litigated numerous complex, multi-party construction cases. Her experience litigating and mediating claims of alleged negligence, breach of contract, construction defects and delays, on behalf of both owners and design professionals, gives her unique insight into many issues that arise in contract preparation.
Experience
Representative Matters
The following are select representative matters:
Tara Mulrooney, partner is quoted in a New York Times article, on the rise of life science labs in New York since the pandemic. "This is one area [of the real estate market, the grows in clusters, not just in specific cities but also specific locations within cities," said Tara Mulrooney, a partner at the law firm Zetlin & De Chiara, which focuses on construction law. "Proximity to talent is vital."
Tara B. Mulrooney, Partner, Zetlin & De Chiara joins REBNY Zoning and Design Committee. The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) is the City's Leading real estate trade association. Founded in 1892, REBNY works on behlaf of the mututal interests of its members by promoting public and industry policies. The Zoning and Design Committee considers and evaulated matters relating to city planning as well as zoning and residential and commercial building design.
As a senior professional in her field, Tara Mulrooney is committed to giving back to the community. For the second year, Ms. Mulrooney will be providing career advice to a junior member of the real estate community as part of the ULI Mentor program.
Tara Mulrooney, Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara, moderated a panel of industry experts at the Commercial Observer's recent Life Science Forum. The panelists, representatives from different constituencies in the life sciences market, were:
Join Tara Mulrooney, Partner, as she participates in an interactive discussion with a panel of lawyers, architects and construction professionals as they explore ways to navigate the issues facing projects in the age of COVID-19.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Moderator
- Partner - Moderator
- Partner / New York, NY
- Partner at Construction Law Firm Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, Will Speak at the AIA Project Delivery Symposium 2019
Timothy F. Hegarty, a Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara, is well known for his successful litigation and transactional practice in the area of construction law with an emphasis on construction and development contracts, claims, arbitration, mediation, and surety law. Mr. Hegarty counsels property owners, developers, institutional clients, lenders, private equity firms, owner's representatives, architects, engineers, design consultants, construction managers, general contractors, and various trade contractors.
Mr. Hegarty has drafted and negotiated complex design, construction, and development agreements for high-end projects involving traditional delivery methods as well as construction management, design-build, integrated project delivery, and public-private partnerships. He helps clients negotiate contracts, mitigate disputes that often arise during design and construction, and resolves large construction claims for projects located both across the United States and internationally.
Mr. Hegarty also has litigated construction cases in Federal and State Courts. Mr. Hegarty assists clients with their design and construction related legal issues from adjacent property and access license agreement related issues as well as preconstruction, demolition and from concept design through construction administration and post-project completion by anticipating and addressing common issues, outcomes and consequences that may impact their project.
Mr. Hegarty is an adjunct professor at Columbia University where he has proudly taught "Legal Issues in Building Construction" for more than ten years. He has counseled clients on projects that touch all ends of the construction built environment including redevelopment, adjacent property issues such as license agreements and disputes involving change orders, extra work, additional services, liquidated damages, delays, payment/ performance bond/ surety issues, mechanic's liens, cumulative impact claims, lost productivity, acceleration and inefficiency claims for projects of all types including mixed-use commercial developments, residential communities, office buildings and universities, healthcare, hospitals, pharmaceutical, casinos and public projects, among others.
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Hegarty worked as a civil engineer on complex construction projects and developed a keen ability to read and understand plans and specifications - a highly specialized skill that provides him with a distinct advantage and perspective when evaluating claims and preventing and resolving disputes.
In addition, Mr. Hegarty is General Counsel to the American Council of Engineering Companies of New Jersey. He also serves as a member of the Glen Ridge Planning Board where he has also served as the Acting Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Hegarty is one of the contributors to "Construction Law," Second Edition, 2019, published by the American Bar Association, and is a frequent speaker before professional audiences including the ASCE, ACEC, AIA, PANYNJ, and The New York City Bar Association. He has also written numerous articles for various publications including the New Jersey Law Journal. He has also served as a visiting lecturer at Manhattan College, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn Polytech University and New York Institute of Technology.
Experience
Representative Matters
The following are select representative matters:
Timothy F. Hegarty, a partner at construction law firm Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, will speak at the AIA Project Delivery Symposium 2019: Delivering the Future in Washington, DC from March 11-12, where members of the development, design, and construction communities, will share perspectives on the latest strategies for driving project outcomes, allocating risk, and employing software to close the gap between design, fabrication and construction.
Job Titles:
- General Counsel, NYC Mayor 's Office of Climate Resilience
Real Estate Weekly June 7, 2000 No. 45, Vol. 46; Pg. 2, 20166 words THE TOP 100 WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE; Carol J. Patterson, a partner in the law firm of Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, is a leading legal counselor and business advisor to clients in the construction industry and building design professionals.
Real Estate Weekly, April 2, 2003, No. 35, Vol. 49; Pg. S6; ISSN: 1096-7214, RE industry out in force to celebrate AREW's 25th
Real Estate Weekly, August 7, 2002, No. 1, Vol. 49; Pg. 4; ISSN: 1096-7214, "Who's News: Management Personnel; Brief Article;" Carol J. Patterson, Esq., a partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, received the Association of Real Estate Women's Founders' Award for 2001-2 recognizing outstanding contributions to AREW. She served as president of AREW for the 1998-9 term.
Real Estate Weekly, November 23, 2005, salutes the Association of Real Estate Women's efforts in naming their first "Man of the Year". Carol Patterson, a partner of Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, is recognized as a member of the panel responsible for making this historic decision.
Job Titles:
- Hunter Roberts Construction Group Anita Konfederak - Merritt Engineering Consultants Donna J. Ryan - Rose - Northwell Health