Construction Law
The Towne Law Firm, P.C. services
The Towne Law Firm, P.C. provides a full range of construction law services to our clients. From contract negotiations to lien foreclosure to arbitration proceedings and construction-related disputes, we have extensive experience in protecting the rights of owners (both public and private), developers, architects and design professionals, contractors, subcontractors, materialmen and sureties in disputes involving all aspects of construction projects.
Our practice includes the negotiation and drafting of design and construction management contracts, advising clients on contract interpretation and contract administration, claim avoidance, public procurement laws, labor and employment issues, OSHA, bid protests, claim management, and litigation and arbitration of construction matters, as well as being intimately involved in the financing of construction projects.
Our attorneys provide legal services in the following areas of construction law:
- Bidding disputes
- Construction claims
- Construction contracts and subcontracts
- Construction financing for private development
- Construction surety matters
- Insurance and surety bonding
- Labor and employment
- Land use and permitting
- Lien law and trust fund matters
- Mediation, arbitration, litigation and appeals
- Prevailing wage matters
- Related planning and zoning issues
- Project development
We have utilized a variety of techniques to avoid litigation if that is what is in the best interest of the client and the project. Our Firm has experience representing commercial construction enterprises, as retained lender counsel and as examining counsel in connection with construction financing. The Firm acted as construction counsel for the owner on a $42 million construction project where a New York State agency was designated as lead SEQRA for planning and zoning purposes.
Reliable Experience
Jim Towne has handled construction claims for clients for more than 40 years. That body of cases includes personal injury claims, including 240 & 241 NYS Labor Law claims; mechanics liens, bond and surety issues for owners, general contractors and subcontractors; numerous claims involving motor vehicles and trucks; and claims against cement manufacturers and concrete/aggregate companies.
For two decades, Mr. Towne was an active member of the American Arbitration Association’s Construction and Commercial Panels of Arbitrators, serving as an arbitrator on matters ranging from minor construction disputes to publicly traded entities where tens of millions of dollars in damages were sought.
Mr. Towne has represented clients as general counsel on the construction and renovation of two gaming facilities totaling $85 million in construction work. He was also general counsel for one of the area’s largest general contractors for 10 years.
John P. Mastropietro has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry and is a registered architect in New York City. Mr. Mastropietro’s practice consists of construction-related matters including claims, contract negotiations and litigation.
Mr. Mastropietro was a professor at New York University’s School of Continuing & Professional Studies – Construction Contracts & Claims, has lectured on numerous occasions for Lorman Educational Services in connection with design/construction claim issues and has also been a guest lecturer for the AIA at its regional seminars and state and national conventions.
