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Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP’s Construction Industry Practice Group has a long history of representing public and private owners, contractors, architects, engineers, construction managers, suppliers, consultants and others involved with the development and construction industry and with government procurement contracts.

Our experience spans all aspects of construction and procurement law, including design, pricing, contract negotiation and drafting, bids and bid protests, project organization and management, scheduling, change order management, governmental compliance and construction administration.

Our construction attorneys counsel clients in an effort to avoid or prevent the development of disputes. When disputes arise, our attorneys are experienced in preparing claims and resolving these disputes through litigation, arbitration, mediation and negotiation. Our attorneys coordinate and lead the array of technical experts and claims consultants often needed during the resolution of a substantial construction dispute. Our state-of-the-art computer systems and sophisticated communications capabilities enable our attorneys to manage the complex, detail-oriented facets of a highly technical construction case.

Public construction projects present unique challenges and problems that our attorneys have resolved successfully for many years. Throughout our offices, our attorneys are experienced in resolving disputes and claims related to federal, state and local government construction and procurement projects.

Our experience in construction and procurement law includes:

  • Assisting owners with the preparation and negotiation of architectural and construction contracts for complex development projects.
  • Drafting and negotiating settlement agreements and releases.
  • Handling the legal auditing and restructuring of clients’ “boiler plate” contract forms.
  • Representing a health care provider in connection with a $45 million project of extensive renovations and additions to main campus buildings.
  • Advising on contract documents and bidding for a $1 billion light rail system contract.
  • Representing a bridge contractor in a claim against a state transportation department.
  • Representing a mechanical contractor in claims arising from massive renovations and additions to a large public hospital facility.
  • Representing a painting contractor in claims arising from the construction of a publicly owned convention and performing arts center.
  • Defending a general contractor against claims of defective construction of a large church facility.
  • Providing in-house training and risk-management counseling to architectural/interior design firms.
  • Representing a city in connection with the construction of extensive parks and recreation facilities.
  • Handling numerous claims involving extras, delay and disruption damages and acceleration charges.
  • Assisting contractors and subcontractors with the preparation and filing of mechanics’ and materialmens’ liens and payment bond claims.
  • Representing parties in bid disputes with governmental entities.
  • Representation of U.S. arm of British contractor/engineer in joint venture regarding claims arising on $125 million project to rehabilitate and construct power transmission lines across Rhode Island.
  • Representation of national electrical contractor in connection with lost productivity claim and acceleration disputes arising on 500 mw gas-fired power plant project in New Jersey.
  • Representation of surety regarding claims arising from slurry wall construction on East Side Access Project, New York City.

Our Lawyers

The Schnader Construction Industry Practice Group includes a number of attorneys who have been educated as engineers, have attained professional engineering registration, and have had years of hands-on design and construction experience prior to entering the legal profession. Several of our construction attorneys are active in construction industry professional and trade organizations and hold leadership positions in such organizations.

Our construction and government contract attorneys work closely with the Firm’s corporate, tax, employment and labor, environmental, real estate, health law and litigation attorneys to address the interdisciplinary needs of our clients.

Chambers USA has recognized the Construction Industry Practice Group in Schnader’s New York office as among the top practices, saying “This compact but hard-hitting team of five is renowned for its expert handling of high-profile construction litigation cases.”

Our Attorneys

Richard A. Barkasy

Richard A. Barkasy

215-751-2526

Philadelphia, PA Wilmington, DE

rbarkasy@schnader.com

 215-751-2526 Philadelphia, PA Wilmington, DE
Jeanne Schubert Barnum

Jeanne Schubert Barnum

856-482-5728

Cherry Hill, NJ

jbarnum@schnader.com

 856-482-5728 Cherry Hill, NJ
Kevin S. Blanton

Kevin S. Blanton

215-751-2419

Philadelphia, PA

kblanton@schnader.com

 215-751-2419 Philadelphia, PA
Michael G. Bock

Michael G. Bock

412-577-5213

Pittsburgh, PA

mbock@schnader.com

 412-577-5213 Pittsburgh, PA
Alexandra A. Fahringer

Alexandra A. Fahringer

215-751-2015

Philadelphia, PA

afahringer@schnader.com

 215-751-2015 Philadelphia, PA
Heather Janis Gaw

Heather Janis Gaw

212-973-8066

New York, NY

hgaw@schnader.com

 212-973-8066 New York, NY
Thomas F. Giordano

Thomas F. Giordano

212-973-8120

New York, NY

tgiordano@schnader.com

 212-973-8120 New York, NY
Theodore L. Hecht

Theodore L. Hecht

212-973-8160

New York, NY

thecht@schnader.com

 212-973-8160 New York, NY
Anne E. Kane

Anne E. Kane

215-751-2397

Philadelphia, PA

akane@schnader.com

 215-751-2397 Philadelphia, PA
Wilbur L. Kipnes

Wilbur L. Kipnes

215-751-2336

Philadelphia, PA

wkipnes@schnader.com

 215-751-2336 Philadelphia, PA
Cynthia A. Murray

Cynthia A. Murray

212-973-8077

New York, NY

cmurray@schnader.com

 212-973-8077 New York, NY
Jonathan B. Skowron

Jonathan B. Skowron

412-577-5113

Pittsburgh, PA

jskowron@schnader.com

 412-577-5113 Pittsburgh, PA
Anthony Watkins

Anthony Watkins

215-751-2367

Philadelphia, PA

awatkins@schnader.com

 215-751-2367 Philadelphia, PA
Michael J. Wietrzychowski

Michael J. Wietrzychowski

856-482-5723

Cherry Hill, NJ Philadelphia, PA

mwietrzychowski@schnader.com

 856-482-5723 Cherry Hill, NJ Philadelphia, PA
Robert J. Williams

Robert J. Williams

412-577-5291

Pittsburgh, PA Philadelphia, PA

rwilliams@schnader.com

 412-577-5291 Pittsburgh, PA Philadelphia, PA
Gordon S. Woodward

Gordon S. Woodward

202-419-4215

Washington, DC

gwoodward@schnader.com

 202-419-4215 Washington, DC

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The Higher Calling Of The Law Requires...

Inclusion. When Pennsylvania Attorney General William Schnader left politics and sought to return to private practice in Philadelphia, he discovered that no major Philadelphia law firms would hire his protégé, Bernard Segal, a Jewish attorney. In response, in 1935, William Schnader, Bernard Segal and Francis Lewis formed a new law firm, Schnader & Lewis -- the first religiously integrated law firm in Philadelphia.

Innovation. Because Schnader was religiously integrated from its founding, many local clients in the Philadelphia area would not retain the firm in the 1930s and 1940s. Accordingly, the firm sought to represent larger, national companies.

Vision. Firm founder William Schnader was president of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, which drafted and developed the Uniform Commercial Code. He successfully campaigned for the Code's adoption in 49 states.

The pursuit of freedom. At the request of President Truman, firm founder Earl Harrison, as Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, toured displaced persons camps at the end of World War II and recommended to the President that displaced persons in Europe be permitted to resettle in Palestine. His report was a major factor that led to American support for the establishment of Israel.

The pursuit of justice. Firm founder Earl Harrison testified on behalf of an African-American student denied entry to the University of Texas School of Law because of his race. The case challenged the "separate but equal" doctrine, as applied to state law schools and laid the foundation for Brown v. Board of Education. The Supreme Court eventually overturned the lower courts' decisions and ordered the University of Texas to admit qualified black applicants.

Courage. Firm founder Bernard Segal convinced the Philadelphia bar to defend nine accused Communists pro bono. The defendants were convicted but their cases were thrown out on appeal. As a result, the Justice Department abandoned Smith Act prosecutions across the country.

The pursuit of justice. When George Wallace threatened to block integration of the University of Alabama, Schnader’s Bernard Segal drafted a statement in opposition. He and Jerome Shestack called lawyers all over the country requesting their support. The statement was published in the Birmingham News with 53 prominent lawyer signatories and provided support for President Kennedy's Executive Order federalizing the Alabama National Guard.

The pursuit of justice. In the wake of George Wallace's efforts to impede the integration of the University of Alabama, and at the urging of Schnader’s Bernard Segal, President Kennedy convened 244 lawyers at the White House to ask them to move the battle for civil rights and racial equality to the courts. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law was born and Jerome Shestack became its full-time executive director while continuing to practice at Schnader.

Inclusion. Firm founder Bernard Segal was chair of the ABA’s Committee on the Federal Judiciary. He advocated the appointment of federal judges of all genders and races.

Inclusion. Firm founder Bernard Segal was the first Jewish person to serve as Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. He encouraged the bar into public service and expanded its racial horizons.

Inclusion. Schnader was one of the first major Philadelphia firms to hire a female attorney.

Diversity. Schnader was a founding member of the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group, which aims to increase the number of diverse attorneys in-house and in private practice.

Vision. Firm Chairman David Smith co-founded the Philadelphia Bar Foundation’s Board Observer Program with Norm Weinstein of Galfand Berger, LLP. The program provides young attorneys with the opportunity to serve on nonprofit boards, where they can develop the leadership skills necessary for board membership, and increase the diversity of nonprofit boards.

Inclusion. The firm appointed Albert Dandridge as Chief Diversity Officer and charged him with increasing and developing our bench of diverse attorneys.

Service. The firm adopted Caton Village (now closed), a halfway house for women in Philadelphia, where we provided free legal clinics and social and educational activities for its residents.

Service. Schnader lawyers regularly represent undocumented children who were abused or abandoned by their parents. We help these children obtain guardians, stop removal proceedings, and begin the path to citizenship.

Service. As U.S. veterans waited an average of four years for a ruling on the denial of their disability benefits, Schnader attorneys led a campaign advocating for a solution to address the backlog.

The pursuit of justice. Schnader attorneys represented Guantanamo Bay detainees, advocating for fair treatment and due process against a byzantine legal landscape.

Service. With a nonprofit partner, Schnader attorneys and staff designed and taught a pilot life skills seminar for young adults aging out of the foster care system. The program included lessons on securing vital documents, opening a bank account, looking for jobs and going to an interview.

Service. Schnader attorneys help middle school students in Pittsburgh set up a youth court, prepare for mock trials and draft a bill of rights for their school. The students learn about Constitutional law, advocacy and restorative justice from participating in these programs.

Service. Bernard Segal, a founder of the firm, believed that Schnader's hallmark is its "dedication to the higher calling of the law," which he defined as "the lawyer's obligation to assume an active role in the pursuit of a just and ordered society, in helping to solve the emerging problems of social, economic and political importance, and to serve the public as his or her client, as she or he would serve a full-paying client."

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