| Many law firms are diversifying due to the recession, but Zetlin & De Chiara has stuck to its construction law guns. Partners Patricia Harris, Carol Patterson, Michael De Chiara, Michael Zetlin, and Raymond Mellon told us the trends: Developers having a hard time completing projects due to financing is leading to claim scenarios and workouts; claims continue to arise out of the last building boom; and accidents continue to happen. Some contractors have become much more aggressive in their efforts to collect amounts due, and developers are fashioning creative solutions to work through financial turbulence. |
| Sustainability has also become a long-term trend, and owners are now making retrofits a priority. The firm is seeing the start of “green” litigation, such as disputes on third-party project certifications, establishing what risks insurers are willing to bear for compliance requirements, and whether green products are being tested or pushed into the marketplace to satisfy certification guidelines. Three of the firm’s partners have already earned LEED-AP status. |
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