Michael De Chiara Presented With Honorary Member of AIA New York State Award

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP is pleased to announce that Michael De Chiara is the recipient of the 2013 Honorary Member of AIA New York State Award.

Michael De Chiara was presented with the Award at the AIANYS Convention Design Award Dinner in Syracuse, NY on September 26. The purpose of the Honorary Membership in AIANYS is to recognize outstanding and significant accomplishments of a person outside the profession of architecture. It is awarded to a person of esteemed character who is not eligible for regular or associate membership, but who has rendered distinguished service to the profession of architecture.

A co-founding partner of Zetlin & De Chiara, Michael De Chiara is the General Counsel to the AIANYS and is an experienced and recognized attorney in the areas of the law regarding the design and construction industries. Michael regularly counsels leading design firms on risk management strategies and insurability issues and encourages the implementation of contractual protection measures to avoid litigation. He has prepared contracts that protect architects’ interests and insurability in a variety of projects.

Michael is consistently recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 USA Guide, Super Lawyer Magazine, and Best Lawyers of America as a leading litigator in construction law. He is a recipient of the AIA New York State President's Citation for Outstanding Service, and the March of Dimes' Thomas E. Diana Spirit of Volunteerism Award in recognition of his dedication to the community at large.

Michael Vardaro, Managing Partner of Zetlin & De Chiara, said “Michael has been a close and trusted advisor to his clients who have relied on him for strategic advice on both project and corporate issues. We are proud that Michael’s service has been enthusiastically acknowledged by AIANYS.”