On the Pulse…Profile of Our Architectural, Engineering & Construction Defect Litigation Practice Group

Marshall Dennehey’s Architectural, Engineering & Construction Defect Litigation Practice Group is focused on defending litigation matters related to the construction industry. Whether it is a basement wall collapse in a 40-year-old private residence, a wrongful death or a catastrophic fire during the construction of a $400 million hotel, the practice group’s attorneys have the experience, training and dedication to represent our clients’ interests.

Our clients range from firms with national and international operations to regional solo practitioners. We routinely represent architects, engineers and other design professionals, as well as land surveyors, owners, developers, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, boards of directors, condominium associations, real estate agents, real estate appraisers and more.

We handle matters across the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Florida, Ohio and West Virginia, and our attorneys are also requested to represent clients in other jurisdictions throughout the United States. Among the litigation matters we routinely defend are construction injuries, design copy rights infringement, delay damages claims, liquidated damages, wrongful death, design defect, construction defect, fire loss, fire loss with personal injury, surveying malpractice, negligence, condominium construction and design, building collapse, scaffolding collapse, mast climbing platform collapse, complex construction issues, roofs, windows, geotechnical, fire suppression, marine piles, marine bulkheads, OSHA claims, water infiltration and condominium construction.

With recognition that each client’s litigation needs are distinctive, we avoid a cookie-cutter approach. We tailor our defense to the specific requirements of the litigation in an effort to control costs. In all engagements, we first develop an understanding of the litigation issues, the contract documents, the facts of the litigation and the scope of the client’s exposure. We pride ourselves on our ability to identify key issues early in the litigation, which allows us to develop the principled defense strategies required to defend the matter.

Our practice group’s litigation experience includes initial negotiations, complex mediations, arbitration proceedings and jury trials involving all phases of construction litigation. Our attorneys and firm are dedicated to defending the simplest claims to catastrophic, high-risk exposure matters with the same attention to detail, knowledge of the facts, construction industry standards and the law. We follow precise procedures required to obtain favorable and controlled results.

We maintain open communication with our clients and the decision makers throughout the litigation process. Client objectives are a priority, and we collaborate with clients in strategizing the best course of action for the matter at hand, be it a trial track or an early settlement track. The application of this strategy is carried out by a team of experienced shareholders, associates and paralegals, all of whom are capable of handling highly sophisticated, complex construction litigation matters. We pride ourselves in our ability to present the relevant facts and available options to the client and decision makers so they can make the best decisions possible.

Collectively, the attorneys in our Architectural, Engineering & Construction Defect Litigation Practice Group are active in numerous industry organizations including the Professional Liability Underwriting Society, Defense Research Institute, and numerous state and local bar associations. Noted for their knowledge and experience, our attorneys are often sought after to present educational seminars focusing on instructing design and construction professionals alike in the nuances of construction litigation. Recent speaking engagements include the Engineers and Surveyors Association, the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter Society, the American Institute of Architects and many client presentations.

Our practice group is available to assist you in your litigation requirements. We are also available to give presentations or to conduct training seminars. A representative sample of our clients is available upon request.

*John is a shareholder who works out of our Cherry Hill, New Jersey office and may be reached at 856.414.6007 or jhosorio@mdwcg.com.

Defense Digest, Vol. 21, No. 3, September 2015

Defense Digest is prepared by Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin to provide information on recent legal developments of interest to our readers. This publication is not intended to provide legal advice for a specific situation or to create an attorney-client relationship. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING pursuant to New York RPC 7.1. © 2015 Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be reprinted without the express written permission of our firm. For reprints, contact tamontemuro@mdwcg.com.