Mayra oversees the execution of capital improvement projects, buildouts, and design construction. With deep experience across asset types and regions, she has led strategic real estate initiatives for major institutions, including AIG and Goldman Sachs, where she managed multimillion dollar capital pipelines, workplace solutions, and portfolio optimization efforts. Mayra began her career at Turner Construction, delivering large-scale projects such as the Barclays Building and Bloomberg Headquarters. She holds a diploma in Construction Management from NYU and a bachelor's degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology from Hofstra University.

Andreas is the Co-Founder and COO of Pulley. After starting his career in private equity and asset management, he most recently served as Chief of Staff at Procore, working directly with Its founder and CEO, Tooey Courtemanche. Following Procore’s 11 billion-dollar IPO in 2021, he joined forces with his co-founder, Charlie Jacobson, to launch Pulley, a leading platform for permitting. Pulley is on a mission to help project teams break ground faster.

Chris joined The Baldwin Group in the spring of 2025 as a Senior Director of Client Experience for the Construction  Practice. He brings over 35 years of experience in the construction insurance industry with a rich skill set in  underwriting, risk management, and construction insurance broking.  

Chris' illustrious career includes leadership roles such as Senior Vice President at NFP and Vice President and Managing  Director for Turner Surety and Insurance Brokerage. For close to a decade, Chris managed the insurance programs for  Turner Construction Company and was their National Director of CCIP overseeing both program placement and  management. Additional experience includes managing a significant portfolio of accounts and spearheading growth and  leadership initiatives.  

As a champion for owners and contractors, Chris is focused on helping clients get the most out of their risk management programs. His thoughtful approach to understanding each client’s unique situation predicated by project  risk, operational efficiency, and growth opportunities ensures he’s able to develop and execute risk management  strategies that benefit the client and continue to advance the industry.

 
Chris graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Management from the University of Massachusetts  Dartmouth.

Mr. Martinelli brings more than two decades of experience in supply chain strategy, working with vendors and manufacturers, as well as capital project management and delivery, long-lead equipment planning and procurement for complex building. Most recently, he served as Regional Business Manager and Client Direct Account Executive at SourceBlue, where he successfully scaled annual revenue and developed strategies adopted nationally across the enterprise. He previously spent 15 years at Trane Technologies delivering engineered-to-order systems for major commercial, healthcare, aviation, pharmaceutical and industrial projects.

Brendan Schmitt is a partner in Herrick’s Real Estate Department.

Brendan practices in all facets of real estate law with a focus on real estate development and construction law, representing owners, developers and lenders in contract drafting, negotiation and review, general counseling and development advisory services. Brendan works with property owners and developers through all phases of the building process, beginning prior to acquisition through project completion, advising clients on a diverse range of matters, including construction contracts, risk management and neighboring property construction license agreements.

Brendan works closely with real estate developers to maximize construction cost and time efficiencies. He regularly advises developers on construction manager and subcontractor selection, construction sequencing and administration, issues involving the protection of neighboring properties, and regulatory compliance and approvals.

Brendan was recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for 2021 for Construction Law. In 2019, Brendan was named one of New York Real Estate Journal's "Ones to Watch," which focuses on up-and-coming professionals across all areas of real estate.

While attending Fordham University School of Law, Brendan served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Debra Freeman of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.

Joseph J. Pollaci joined Nucor Construction Corp in 2011 following a nearly decade-long career in commercial real estate, specializing as a tenant representative.

Joseph joined Nucor as a project executive to support operations in the field, while also acting as a sales executive to drive business development. He assumed operational control in 2014 and was shortly appointed President. Under his leadership, the company has more than doubled in both size and revenue—and aims to double again over the next 10 years. In 2019, Joseph led the strategic acquisition of a Long Island-based general contracting team, extending Nucor’s reach and strengthening its talent bench.

Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Providence College and serves as Executive Chairman of the Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on promoting peace and stability in conflict-affected regions of eastern Africa.

Harris V. Smith is a Principal at Crown Architecture, where he
leads architectural projects from initial planning through construction. He brings over 15
years of experience to residential, commercial, and hospitality projects, with extensive
knowledge of New York City’s buildings, zoning regulations, and municipal processes.
Harris works with clients to define project objectives and establish a clear approach to
design and delivery. He brings technical analysis into the design process early, helping
teams understand existing conditions, anticipate approval requirements, and resolve
issues that could affect the direction of the work.

His expertise in building codes, zoning, and historic preservation informs both project
strategy and detailed execution. Working closely with owners, consultants, and
contractors, he coordinates the architectural and regulatory considerations that carry a
project from concept to completion.

Harris holds a B.F.A. in Architecture and an M.Arch. from the Savannah College of Art
and Design. He is a registered architect in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut and
is NCARB certified.

Josh Oberman has been practicing law for over twenty years. He provides holistic legal advice to contractors, developers, and high net-worth homeowners throughout the New York Metropolitan Area and Long Island’s East end.

Josh focuses on achieving practical and efficient solutions for his clients who include some of the City’s largest trade contractors and developers. Approaching problems holistically, he works with clients’ CPA’s and Insurance/Surety professionals to make sure their needs are addressed from all angles.

A seasoned and creative deal maker, he is also a tenacious litigator who routinely litigates cases through trial when necessary. He has deep expertise in all aspects of private and public construction and negotiating and litigating Access Agreements under New York Real Property Law 881. He has shepherded clients through commercial disputes, litigation with sureties, union negotiations and conflicts, and insolvency.

Working in tandem with the Firm’s corporate department, Josh ensures that his clients achieve the right corporate structure. He also works extensively with the Firm’s trusts and estates department to help clients implement asset preservation strategies.

A dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker, Josh combines his construction law expertise with extensive knowledge of the local community both in the City and on the East End.

He is a Board Member of the New York City Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association, and a past the President of the New York City Surety Association. He is a member of Ned's Club and an avid supporter of the Guggenheim Museum and the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center.

Lee’s 20 plus year architectural lighting career, combined with her engineering and architecture background, provides a holistic design perspective grounded in thorough technical analysis. She works in a wide variety of market sectors, bringing a clean and versatile design sensibility to hospitality, corporate, residential, and higher education projects, among many others. Lee is a Senior Principal at HLB’s New York studio and has a strategic role that focuses on employee growth firmwide. She is an active member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), where she serves on the committees related to light pollution, sustainable design, and energy codes. 

Matthew Quirin (pronounced “Qwhy-ren”) is a Partner in the Real Estate and Commercial Litigation departments. He represents owners and developers throughout all phases of construction projects, including drafting and negotiating construction management agreements, joint venture and partnership agreements, trade contracts, and agreements with design professionals, whether through custom-drafted documents or AIA form contracts. He is widely recognized in New York City for his experience in construction license and access matters involving adjacent properties, including negotiating license agreements, and prosecuting and defending RPAPL § 881 special proceedings.

Mr. Quirin is an experienced litigator who regularly prosecutes and defends claims arising from construction projects, joint ventures, partnership disputes, fraud, and other business torts. He also advises clients on complex insurance and risk-allocation issues, including payment and performance bonds, both at the contract negotiation stage and during active claims. His practice spans all phases of litigation, including trial, in state and federal courts throughout New York and New Jersey, as well as arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

Having significant experience in both transactional and litigation matters, Mr. Quirin brings a strategic and unique perspective to every engagement. His understanding of how agreements are interpreted and litigated enables him to draft protective contracts that mitigate risk while positioning clients favorably should disputes arise. Over the course of his career, he has developed a comprehensive library of practical templates and drafting tools, allowing him to deliver efficient, consistent, and cost-effective representation throughout the full lifecycle of a project or dispute.

As Vice President at Lessard Design, Christopher leverages over 25 years of proven leadership in architecture and construction, guiding projects through every phase of development-from visionary concepts to successful execution. His expertise spans a wide range of sectors, including commercial, mixed-use, and multi-family residential, where he has consistently delivered transformative designs that balance creativity with functionality. Renowned for his ability to meet demanding deadlines and exceed client expectations, Christopher is committed to shaping vibrant, sustainable communities through innovative solutions. On a national scale, he has played a pivotal role in managing complex, high-profile developments, with budgets reaching up to $400 million-demonstrating his strategic oversight and unwavering focus on excellence.

Sarah is a partner in the firm’s Construction practice group. She has extensive experience representing a wide array of construction industry clients, including property owners, real estate developers, commercial lessees, design builders, construction managers, design professionals, and contractors in transactional, corporate governance, risk management, and litigation matters. Her experience includes front-end advising on the selection of appropriate project delivery methods, drafting and negotiating complex design and construction agreements, risk management and insurance advising, and managing and litigating complex construction claims.

Prior to joining Thompson Hine, Sarah founded her own construction law firm representing a broad array of East Coast-based construction industry clients in transactional matters. Sarah also served as in-house counsel for one of the largest international architecture and engineering firms in the world, where she negotiated construction project agreements, managed complex construction litigation claims, and advised on corporate compliance, risk management, and insurance matters, both nationally and globally. Before serving as in-house counsel, Sarah developed expertise at a boutique construction law firm, where her practice included representing New York City-based construction industry clients on both transactional and litigation matters.

Sarah believes that every successful construction client relationship starts with an understanding of the unique aspects of a project. Through years of experience, she has developed a practical understanding of various project types, delivery models, and players, enabling her to expertly serve her clients during entity formation, project planning, contract negotiation, design and construction phases, and litigation. Her dual law firm and in-house counsel experience, as well as experience with both litigation and transactional work, gives her a unique business-centric perspective on advising clients on how to “get to yes” while appropriately mitigating risk.