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.”

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.

(New York, NY – March 9th, 2022) Zetlin & De Chiara LLP announced today that Co-Founding Partner Michael S. Zetlin has once again been named to City & State’s Power Law 100 lists.

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

Michael De Chiara, Senior Partner, responded to the New York Real Estate Journal's Question of the Month,  "What are the goals of Local Law 97 and how does NYC plan to achieve them?"

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.

As the life science industry shatters records for funding, space demand and employment throughout the country, there is increasing interest in the development of this sector in the New York City real estate market. Although life sciences research and development has been a critical component of the United States’ economy for some time, historically, cities such as San Diego, Boston, and San Francisco have long dominated as life sciences centers. In the past several years, however, New York City, the country’s financial capital, has seen an significant acceleration of growth in this sector, which has only been heightened by the impacts of Covid-19. In the current post-Covid environment, life sciences has become a bright spot in the uncertain commercial real estate market, one that the City’s leaders are counting on to help fuel its growth.

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.

Tara Mulrooney, partner is quoted in a New York Times article, on the rise of life science labs in New York since the pandemic. "This is one area [of the real estate market, the grows in clusters, not just in specific cities but also specific locations within cities," said Tara Mulrooney, a partner at the law firm Zetlin & De Chiara, which focuses on construction law. "Proximity to talent is vital."

The office of Richard Meier & Partners is announcing today that the practice, begun by the award-winning architect in 1963, will now be called Meier Partners, and that its 86-year-old founder is officially retiring. Under a leadership restructuring plan, George H. Miller, former managing partner at Pei, Cobb, Freed, becomes COO, and Dukho Yeon, who has been at the Meier office for 30 years, will be lead designer. Both Miller and Yeon have been named partners, each with equity in the company. Michael De Chiara, Senior Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara counseled the firm through its transition and is quoted in the article.

During the last year, the focus on racial and economic inequality issues has led many design professional firms to initiate or increase the contributions of their people, resources and talents to pro bono projects. While architects
and engineers are in a unique position to provide meaningful and tangible services, particularly with respect to physical spaces, the good intent behind such projects will not shield a firm from potential liability. In particular, it is important to consider risk management and licensing issues before embarking on a pro bono project.

Zetlin & De Chiara announced today that Chengdong (C.D.) Xing, an attorney at the firm, was honored by the prestigious China Legal Education & Career Seminar Series (CLECSS) with a 2021 Outstanding Young Lawyers Award.  

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 (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.

(May 13, 2021) Zetlin & De Chiara LLP Partner Loryn Riggiola has been named to NJBIZ’s inaugural New Jersey’s Leaders in Law list, for her outstanding contributions to the construction and legal industries and to local and international communities. The NJBIZ Leaders in Law honors New Jersey’s most accomplished lawyers for shaping their organizations, industries and communities.

Anazette Ray, an Associate in Zetlin & De Chiara's New Jersey office has been selected to participate in the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation’s Spring 2021 Emerging Leaders Program.  The program, entitled Perseverance, Power, Politics brings together peers from architecture, engineering, construction, real estate, law and financial services with senior women in the field to explore ways of advancing their careers. Participants share common goals and trade personal strategies for success.

(New York, NY – March 18, 2021) Zetlin & De Chiara LLP announced today that Co-Founding Partner Michael S. Zetlin has been named to City & State’s Power Construction 50 and Power Law 100 lists.

Mr. Zetlin was selected to the Power Construction 50 along with many of New York’s luminaries in the building community. Cited as “a prolific litigator…who handles construction claims across a number of sectors…,” Michael Zetlin was recognized for his abilities as a construction litigator and contract lawyer as well as his counsel in all aspects of construction projects.  Active in many professional and community organizations, Mr. Zetlin serves as General Counsel to the New York Building Congress and to the AIA New York; and is an adjunct Professor at Columbia University, teaching a graduate program with Zetlin & De Chiara partner Timothy Hegarty on “Legal Issues in Building Construction.”

In a major victory for real estate developers and New York City, a New York State Appellate Court has overturned a decision preventing the completion of a new 55-story condominium building at 200 Amsterdam Avenue.

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

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP is pleased to announce that the firm has been ranked in the 2021 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list nationally in 2 practice areas. U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®,  announced that the firm was selected for its "Best Law Firms" rankings.

Tara B. Mulrooney, Partner, Zetlin & De Chiara joins REBNY Zoning and Design Committee. The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) is the City's Leading real estate trade association. Founded in 1892, REBNY works on behlaf of the mututal interests of its members by promoting public and industry policies. The Zoning and Design Committee considers and evaulated matters relating to city planning as well as zoning and residential and commercial building design.

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.

As a senior professional in her field, Tara Mulrooney is committed to giving back to the community. For the second year, Ms. Mulrooney will be providing career advice to a junior member of the real estate community as part of the ULI Mentor program.

 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.

It looks like we will continue to be virtual for an indeterminate time. Now that we are out of the panic mode and into a more pragmatic state of mind, we need to get to back to the business of maintaining top of the mind awareness of the firm and developing new business in a virtual business world.

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.

New York, NY (July 27, 2020) ‐ Construction law firm Zetlin and De Chiara LLP announced today that Richard Kalinowski, and Chengdong Xing, Associates at the firm, were selected for Crain’s 2020 list of Rising Stars in Real Estate. The honorees were highlighted for being “drivers of New York’s real estate engine—those individuals whose grit and ingenuity power the region’s progress and the industry’s growth.”

Eight Firms Join Forces to Form the Workwell Coalition to Rejuvenate the Office 

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, has been ranked among The Top 50 Construction Law Firms™ by Construction Executive Magazine. Zetlin & De Chiara is one of a handful of law firms that focuses exclusively on construction law. Zetlin & De Chiara is consistently recognized as one of the leading construction law firms in the country by national and international ranking organizations including Chambers USA, Legal 500 and Best Lawyers.

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

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

Jaimee Nardiello, Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, was recognized by the New York Real Estate Journal in its Women and Real Estate feature.

Construction sites close down for emergencies—whether or not everyone involved is ready. The COVID-19 lockdown adds new forms of operational and legal uncertainty. Yet a shutdown needn’t be a disaster: it’s time to plan, anticipate potential problems, and upgrade procedures.

Billy Joel's litigation with a former contractor over work performed in his Long Island home was featured in an article in Newsday. The rockstar is being represented by Zetlin & De Chiara LLP. The firm is quoted in the article.  

Z&D Senior Partner Carol J. Patterson Named Real Estate/Construction Law Trailblazer By National Law Journal

The Paycheck Protection Act Loan Application has been released. With an authorization of up to $349 billion businesses are encouraged to apply quickly. 

A copy of the loan application can be downloaded below.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that all non-essential construction in New York must stop. This change in policy was made in response to the spread of COVID-19 across New York and the outcry from construction workers dealing with health risks on job sites.

As of today, March 16, 2020, Zetlin & De Chiara LLP has decided to implement a remote working environment for our entire staff. We are a firm that takes great pride in the trust placed in us by our clients and we have a robust infrastructure that allows our attorneys to provide services no matter where they are physically located. This infrastructure is now serving us well as we are able to look after the health and safety of our employees while maintaining our ability to provide unparalleled services to our clients.

The health and safety of our clients, friends and colleagues are foremost in our minds as we continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 outbreak.

Zetlin and De Chiara LLP attorney Chengdong (C.D.) Xing has been elevated to the position of Co-Chair of the Asian Affairs Committee of the City Bar for a term ending July 2021. He most recently served as Secretary.

Anazette Ray Featured in NYREJ 2020 Ones to Watch

Richard Kalinowski Featured in NYREJ 2020 Ones to Watch List

Loryn Riggiola was named to NJBIZ's 2020 Best Women in Business. The individuals recognized in NJBIZ Best 50 Women in Business program are not just operating in the Garden State’s enterprise environment "they’re leading it, as decision-makers, trendsetters and forward thinkers". 

"Get a mentor." That may be the most valuable piece of advice imparted on February 11 by Anazette Ray and Roy Schwartz, attorneys at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, when they spoke to the future leaders of New York City at the High School for Civil Rights in Brooklyn as part of Career Discovery Week.

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP Associate Max Rayetsky has been named to the Advisory Board of the Mattone Family Institute for Real Estate Law at his alma mater, St. John’s University School of Law.   He was also selected as an inaugural member of its Emerging Leaders Committee.

A new industry coalition, The Alliance for Fair and Equitable Contracting (AFFECT), a group  comprised of the General Contractors Association of New York, the New York Building Congress, the Associated General Contractors of New York State LLC, the Building Trades Employers Association and the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York filed suit in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York seeking relief from the “draconian contractor debarment regime put in place by the New York legislature and the MTA, culminating in publication of renewed “emergency” regulations in the New York State Register on November 6, 2019.” The challenged law and related regulations also apply to design professionals and other consultants who contract with the MTA.

Roy Schwartz, Principal at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, was spotlighted in a profile in Real Estate Journal's One to Watch Spotlight.