News

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, the region’s leading construction law firm, announces the promotion of four attorneys, Bill P. Chimos, James H. Rowland, to Principals and Eric R. Morgenweck and Jeffrey T. Yick, to Associate Principals of the firm, effective January 1, 2010.

Michael K. De Chiara, co-founding partner of Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, said “It is important to recognize the achievements of our attorneys and their growth in terms of serving our real estate and construction clients.” 

Bill P. Chimos has been with Zetlin & De Chiara since 2002 representing architects, engineers and design professionals involved in construction-related matters. Mr. Chimos has extensive experience negotiating and drafting contracts, settlement agreements, partnership agreements, sub-contract/sub-consultant and employment agreements. He has also represented owners in commercial landlord/tenant disputes and has handled complex commercial and construction litigation matters including delay claims related to various project delivery methods, value engineering and quality control decisions.

Mr. Chimos has lectured on construction issues at Cooper Union and conducted seminars for various industry organizations. He received his J.D. from the St. John’s University, School of Law and his B.S. from New York University, Stern School of Business. Mr. Chimos is admitted to the New York and Connecticut Bars and is a member of the New York State Bar Association, American Bar Association and New York County Lawyers’ Association.

James H. Rowland joined Zetlin & De Chiara LLP in June 2006 and has more than 13 years of litigation experience. Mr. Rowland has represented design professionals, owners and developers, utilities, transportation corporations and contractors in all aspects of commercial and construction litigation. He has litigated complex commercial and construction matters in New York State and Federal Court, including the resolution of claims through trial, mediation and arbitration. Mr. Rowland has also represented clients in connection with investigations by governmental agencies concerning accessibility compliance and has successfully moved to dismiss claims brought against design professionals for damage caused to adjacent properties and for alleged defective construction of condominium units. He has also negotiated and drafted various construction and design related contracts, settlement and employment agreements.

Mr. Rowland is the author of numerous articles addressing the issues affecting the design profession and most recently wrote the article “Don’t Forget to Stamp It: Requirements When Sealing and Altering Documents Which Have Been Previously Sealed.” Mr. Rowland received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and his B.A. from New York University. He is admitted to practice law in New York, as well as in the Southern, Eastern and Northern districts of New York, and is a member of the New York State and American Bar Associations.

Since joining the firm in October 2002, Eric R. Morgenweck continues to provide legal and business counseling to the construction industry including property owners, developers, design professionals, construction managers and contractors. Mr. Morgenweck provides business formation and licensure advice, drafts and negotiates construction contracts and various corporate agreements. In addition, Mr. Morgenweck prosecutes and defends complex construction disputes involving professional liability and construction claims. Mr. Morgenweck received his J.D. from Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center of Touro College and his B.S. from the University of Bridgeport. He is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey is a member of the New York State and American Bar Associations.

Jeffrey T. Yick, joined Zetlin & De Chiara in March of 2005 and represents design professionals, construction managers, contractors, and owners in all aspects of complex commercial and construction litigation as well as transactional and corporate matters. Some of Mr. Yick’s most recent litigation matters includes representing an international engineering firm in a multi-million dollar lawsuit arising out of a nursing home project and representing a national airport concession owner in numerous construction disputes. Mr. Yick also handles appeals and was recently involved with successful appeals involving the voluntary payment doctrine and the statute of frauds. He also has experience in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, such as mediation and arbitration, and recently received an arbitration award in favor of a prominent interior design client.

Mr. Yick has also given lectures, including a presentation on Attorney-Client Privilege and In-House Counsel at the American Council of Engineering Companies Annual Convention & Legislative Summit. Mr. Yick received his J.D. from George Washington University Law School and his B.A., cum laude, from Skidmore College. He is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey, as well as in the United States District Court for Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and is a member of the Urban Land Institute.