Raymond T. Mellon

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.

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP continued to be recognized as leaders in the Construction sector, with the firm and five of its partners receiving high rankings in the Chambers USA ranking of America’s leading business lawyers.

Twenty years ago, the New York Law Journal published an article about a then little-used law that authorized courts to grant a license to a property owner or developer unable to make repairs or improvements to its property without entering onto a neighbor’s property (See Little-Used Law Helps Developers Held Hostage, N.Y.L.J. Aug. 14, 2002).  The law in question, Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law (“RPAPL”) Section 881, authorized a judicial license where a neighbor refused permission to access its property for necessary construction and repairs.  It also provided the court with flexibility to set conditions on the license upon “such terms as justice requires.”

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.

New York, NY (May 20, 2021)– Zetlin & De Chiara LLP has been ranked as a top construction law firm in New York for the 15th consecutive year by Chambers USA in its 2021 guide to top law firms and lawyers. In addition, all four senior partners were ranked as leaders in their field.

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP announced today that Senior Partner Ray Mellon has been named to City & State’s 50 Over 50.

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.

 Z&D Senior Partner Ray Mellon Named to New York Law Journal’s List of New York Trailblazers

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP announced today that Senior Partner Ray Mellon has been named to the New York Law Journal’s 2020 list of New York Trailblazers.

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.

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP Earns Top Recognition in Chambers USA for Being “Top Caliber in Matters Arising in Construction Law”

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 has been ranked as a top construction law firm in New York for the 13th consecutive year by Chambers USA in its 2019 guide to top law firms and lawyers. Four partners were again ranked as leaders in their fields.

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.

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.

Construction law firm Zetlin & De Chiara LLP announced today that for the 12th consecutive year, the firm has been ranked as a  top construction law firm in New York by Chambers USA. Additionally, four partners from the firm were ranked as leaders in their fields.

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.

Now that 2015 has come and gone, construction professionals are focusing attention on the year ahead. Analysts predict 2016 will be a strong year for the industry, as Dodge Data & Analytics' 2016 Construction Outlook report predicted 6% growth, with the value of construction starts reaching an estimated $712 billion. 

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.

Michael De Chiara, Michael Zetlin, Ray Mellon and Carol Patterson were named leading construction litigators in the January/February 2010 issue of Super Lawyers.

An article written by Raymond T. Mellon titled “Finish Your Office Move: Notify the State Education Department” was published in the August 27 - June 2, 2008 issue of New York Real Estate Journal.

Four New York Partners, Michael S. Zetlin, Michael K. De Chiara, Raymond T. Mellon and Carol J. Patterson, were recognized in the September 23, 2007 issue of New York Magazine as Super Lawyers in the field of construction law. Click here for details.

In the July 23, 2007 issue of the Engineering News Record, an article written by Raymond T. Mellon titled, "Are You Employing A Post 911 Standard of Care" appeared.

An article written by Raymond T. Mellon titled "The Construction Standard of Care After 911" was published in the November 2006 issue of Design-Build Dateline

St. Louis Daily Record/St. Louis Countian (St. Louis, MO), November 28, 2003, "NEWS, Architect and attorney discuss building security at Construction Products Show," By Erin Piel; Raymond T. Mellon, partner with the law firm of Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, was a co-presenter of this seminar.

New York Law Journal August 14, 2002 Real Estate Update; Vol. 228; Pg. 5 Judicial Relief: Little-Used Law Helps Developers Held Hostage; By Raymond T. Mellon, Partner in the law firm of Zetlin & De Chiara LLP.

New York Construction, May, 2002, CONSTRUCTION LAW; Vol. 49, No. 10; Pg. 62, "Judicial Relief for Developers Held Hostage By Neighboring Owners," By Raymond T. Mellon; The author of this column, Raymond T. Mellon, is a partner in the New York-based law firm of Zetlin & De Chiara. Mellon's experience includes advising and representing architectural, engineering and real estate firms. He also serves as general counsel to the Architects Council of New York City Inc. and the Brooklyn Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Zetlin & De Chiara Celebrated Our 30th Aniversary!

A New Paradigm for Pre-Construction Engineering Analysis

Recent events in both New York and San Francisco have highlighted a much under-appreciated but enormous risk caused by most large construction projects in dense urban environments.

The effects of major construction projects on adjoining properties are not sufficiently understood. When the unanticipated problems occur they often result in significant damages, which can equal the entire cost of the new project.

The proper analysis of these effects involve advanced geotechnical and structural analysis, often not undertaken in large complex projects.

We will cite several well-known situations which could have been avoided if this new level of pre-construction analysis was undertaken.

The New York City Council passed Local Law No. 97 of 2019 on April 18, 2019 and Local Law No. 147, amending Local Law No. 97, on June 26, 2019, both of which became effective as of November 15, 2019 (collectively “LL97”). LL97 ushers in a new era of stringent climate control regulations for the City, applicable to both existing buildings and new buildings. Though LL97’s emissions limitations do not begin until 2024, real estate owners and design professionals are already busy considering how the new limitations will impact current buildings, as well as those being contemplated for the future. This client alert intends to summarize LL97’s emission standards so that our clients may consider them when conceptualizing new projects and, where feasible and appropriate, recommend design elements and building systems to assist owners in meeting their new obligations.

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.