James Rowland, Zetlin & De Chiara LLP Photo

James H. Rowland

Partner
  • New York, NY
    801 Second Avenue
    New York, NY 10017

Overview

James H. Rowland is a Partner of Zetlin & De Chiara. With more than 20 years of litigation experience, Mr. Rowland represents clients in complex commercial and construction litigation matters, including the resolution of claims through trial, mediation and arbitration. He also drafts construction contracts for owners and design professionals and advises clients on business-related matters, professional licensing, insurance issues and risk management. Mr. Rowland has extensive experience with negotiating License Agreements between adjoining property owners as well as prosecuting and defending RPAPL Section 881 Proceedings. He represents architects, engineers, contractors, owners, developers, and construction managers in all aspects of the construction process, and he has appeared in New York State and Federal Court.

Mr. Rowland has successfully obtained pre-answer dismissals of numerous lawsuits against design professionals including wrongful death and substantial property damage claims. He has also represented design professionals in connection with both governmental and private investigations and lawsuits concerning alleged Federal, State, and local accessibility non-compliance. Mr. Rowland has successfully represented a design professional in connection with ADA and FHA Claims asserted by the United States Department of Justice.

He also represents design professionals in Administrative hearings in front of the the NYC Department of Buildings, Fire Department, and Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

Mr. Rowland Serves as General Counsel to the AIA Staten Island and to Society of American Registered Architects, New York City Chapter. He was recognized by the Queens Center of Progress with a Business Leaders Award. He was also recognized by Super Lawyers.

Experience

Honors

News & Events

News

Speaking Engagements

Publications

  • publication
    02.11.2022
    NYC Department of Buildings Issues Rules for Major Project Development Program

    The New York City Department of Buildings (“DOB”) issued a notice of adoption of final rules for its Major Projects Development Program that will go into effect on May 1, 2022. According to the DOB’s press release, the intention of the Major Projects Development Program is “to help construction projects get off the ground safely and avoid work stoppages” by offering one-on-one consultation and support to owners of eligible projects.

    View More
  • publication
    07.29.2019
    The MTA's New Statutory Rules of Debarment 
    Zetlin & De Chiara LLP

    New York State’s $175 billion FY 2020 budget included several Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”) reforms. One of these reforms, the debarment provision (Bill No. A02009C/S01509-C, Section § 1279-h), allows the MTA to determine unilaterally that alleged “defaulting” contractors and consultants will be prohibited from bidding on future MTA contracts for a period of five years based on their performance on prior or current MTA projects.

    View More
  • publication
    10.12.2017
    Zetlin & De Chiara LLP Fall 2017 Update
  • publication
    01.08.2013
    Design Professional Good Samaritans Face Rough Road in New York
    Zetlin & De Chiara LLP Newsbulletin
  • publication
    05.2007
    Growing Trend of Government-Mandated Green Building
    Long Island Builders Magazine

Affiliations

Education

Fordham University School of Law, J.D.

New York University, B.A.

Admissions

  • New York

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
Jump to Page