Michael S. Zetlin Elected to National Academy of Construction

The National Academy of Construction (NAC) has elected Michael S. Zetlin, a founding partner of the law firm Zetlin & De Chiara, as a new member of its 2014 class. He will be inducted October 24 at the NAC Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas. The 2014 class includes 28 new inductees. More than 250 industry leaders were considered for the NAC’s rigorous nomination and election process.

Zetlin is a graduate civil engineer and an attorney with outstanding contributions to the construction industry. His knowledge of construction and the issues involved in design, construction, and project management make him a formidable advocate as he represents national and multi-national firms and some of the premier owners, developers, design professionals, and contractors in the U.S. Since establishing Zetlin & De Chiara over 20 years ago with his partners Michael De Chiara, Raymond Mellon, and Carol Patterson, he has successfully litigated millions of dollars in claims on projects including real estate, sports arenas, educational institutions, power plants, and infrastructure projects. Zetlin & De Chiara is known for providing sophisticated and innovative legal services around the country for firms engaged in the development and construction industries.

“Peer recognition is one of the highest accolades a professional may receive during his or her career.   I am honored to join the membership of the National Academy of Construction and will work with NAC to further its unique perspective and service to issues of national importance,” said Zetlin.

Widely sought as a lecturer and author, Zetlin is an adjunct professor at Columbia University and co-editor of New York Construction Law. He is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers and the American Bar Foundation, and serves as general counsel to the New York Building Congress and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), New York City. He is a member of the Columbia University Industry Advisory Committee of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, a member of the Board of Trustees at Pratt Institute, and an Advisory Board Member of the Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute at Baruch College. He was named New York Construction Lawyer of the Year (2011), and is the recipient of the Harry B. Rutkins Award for Service to the NY Chapter of AIA. Zetlin holds a BSc degree in engineering from Columbia University and a JD from the Fordham University School of Law.

The National Academy of Construction, established in 1999, is an organization of industry leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the engineering and construction industry. It is composed of a wide variety of industry representatives, including construction users, designers, constructors, consultants, attorneys, sureties, and academics. In addition to being a personal honor, election to the Academy allows members to volunteer their expertise to a variety of organizations, governmental and nongovernmental, for the betterment of the industry as a whole. For more information on this press release, contact Rusty Haggard at 512/557-7672 or email bluestreakwriters@gmail.com.