James J. Terry

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP is proud to have 15 attorneys recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for their work in construction law and construction litigation in New York and New Jersey, including six associates who were recognized as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

Zetlin & De Chiara partners Michael Zetlin, Michael De Chiara, Bill Chimos, Tim Hegarty, Ray Mellon, Jaimee Nardiello, Carol Patterson, Loryn Riggiola,  and Jim Terry were once again recognized by Best Lawyers in their 2023 list of top Construction attorneys.

Additionally, Hal Blanchard, Rachel John, Anazette Ray and Roy Schwartz were selected as Ones to Watch.

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. 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.

President Biden recently signed an executive order which will implement new pro-union project labor agreements in order to increase union membership in the federal, public and private sectors.

The move has set off a round of opposition from construction industry organizations, not to mention individuals who see the move as detrimental to fair and open competition for bids related to the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act of 2021.

Jim Terry, Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara, explains the impact of project labor agreements in Construction Dive following President Biden's executive order.

Leading construction law firm Zetlin & De Chiara LLP announced today that eleven of the firm’s partners were selected to Super Lawyers 2021, part of Thomson Reuters. One associate was chosen for the Rising Star list.

Zetlin & De Chiara lawyers received wide recognition by Best Lawyers in their 2022 edition for being among the most skilled and accomplished construction lawyers in New York and New Jersey.

Zetlin & De Chiara was named a Band 1 Construction Law firm in the United States by the Legal 500 US in its annual guide.

Described as a "boutique construction law firm with a deep bench and understanding of how a construction project is built and how to address disputes when they happen,” Zetlin & De Chiara is routinely involved in projects across the US and internationally. Legal 500 selected Michael Zetlin, Michael De Chiara and Michael Vardaro to the Leading Lawyers list. Michael De Chiara was praised as an “expert in the field.” Michael Zetlin was lauded for his representation of national and multi-national construction companies as well as premier owners, developers and contractors. Other members of the “very pragmatic” team who were recognized were Tara Mulrooney and Jim Terry.

New York, NY (November 5, 2020) - Leading construction law firm Zetlin & De Chiara LLP announced today that ten of the firm’s attorneys were selected to Super Lawyers 2020, part of Thomson Reuters. An annual attorney rating service, Super Lawyers recognizes outstanding lawyers who have attained a high level of professional achievement and are well respected by their peers and colleagues. The selection process, culling from over 70 practice areas, includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

New York, NY, (August 20, 2020) -- Zetlin & De Chiara LLP is pleased to announce that nine lawyers have been included in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.

In addition, three lawyers have been included in the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognizes lawyers demonstrating outstanding professional skills early in their careers in private practice in the United States.

Eleven Zetlin & De Chiara LLP Attorneys Recognized by Thomson  Reuters’ Super Lawyers 2019

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP has been recognized as a leading construction law firm by The Legal 500 US in its annual guide. 

Eight attorneys at Zetlin and De Chiara LLP were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© for 2020. 

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP announced today that the firm has once again been selected for National Tier 1 in the areas of Construction Law and Construction Litigation by U.S. News for its annual “Best Law Firms” ranking.

Zetlin and De Chiara LLP, a leading construction law firm, is honored to announce that seven of the firm’s attorneys have been named “Best Lawyers in America” for 2019. Additionally, co-founding partner Michael Zetlin has been selected as a “Lawyer of the Year” within the Construction Law practice group in the New York City region by the respected, peer review guide.

If you’ve had your ear to the ground in this industry for any length of time, you’ve doubtless heard of Zetlin & De Chiara LLP (Z&D), one of the foremost law firms in the real estate and construction businesses. With a singular focus on construction law, Z&D has risen to the forefront of its field over the course of its 26-year history. Priding itself on its advocacy on behalf of everyone from architects and engineers to real estate owners and contractors, there’s no law firm better equipped to represent the members of the construction industry.

New York, NY (August 15, 2016) - Zetlin and De Chiara LLP is pleased to announce that seven of the firm’s attorneys were named to the 2017 Best Lawyers in America list. 

Best Lawyers is the oldest and most highly-respected peer review guide to the legal profession worldwide. Ranked attorneys reflect the high level of respect earned among other leading lawyers and clients within their communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism and their integrity.

The promotion of Jim Terry to partner were profiled in the March 2009 issue of Building Long Island.

An announcement regarding the arrival of James Terry appeared in the December 17-23, 2007 issue of Crain’s New York Business.

Zetlin & De Chiara Celebrated Our 30th Aniversary!

How to Address the Impact on Development, Construction and Design: 

Answers for the Construction Community

Following our webinar, COVID-19 Challenges to the Construction Industry, we assembled a Questions & Answers based upon questions participants posed and to issues we discussed.

Mock Mediation Led by Z&D"s Tim Hegarty Adds Dimension to Columbia University Course.

Summer turned up the heat at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP where we were involved in two of the most prominent construction cases in the nation. With attorneys airborne between the East and West Coasts, the office has been busy on the ground with client matters, fielding questions from the press, speaking at industry events and supporting community and professional organizations. Even as the temperature outside cools, our high level of activity shows no signs of chilling.