Real Estate & Construction

Recent News:

Wendy Venoit Named a 2025 Massachusetts Go To Construction Lawyer by Massachusetts Lawyer Weekly

Wendy Venoit, a member of the firm’s Construction Law Group, has been named a 2025 Massachusetts Go To Construction Lawyer by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

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The real estate and construction industry is a major component of the global economy. In the United States alone, millions of people are employed in related occupations. Industry leaders in this sprawling and vital sector must be prepared to evolve and adapt when unforeseen circumstances arise. The COVID-19 global pandemic has brought the importance of agility to the forefront.

Cozen O’Connor has a renowned real estate and construction practice that provides clients with the long-range perspective members of the industry demand. Our attorneys regularly counsel clients on acquisitions, development, financing, construction, disposition, and disputes. The firm’s dedicated real estate lawyers are often involved in the industry’s most sophisticated deals and most complex litigation. They are privy to — and often a driving force behind — critical legal advancements. And when clients face real estate projects in distress, our distressed real estate team works with developers, investors, banks, non-bank lenders, construction companies, landlords, tenants, owners, and operators to address distressed assets head-on.

Our practice has a truly national reach, and we represent commercial and residential developers, shopping center and office developers, property owners, real estate investment trusts, banks and lenders, investors, national and regional retail companies, real estate brokerage companies, public and privately held companies, property management companies, municipalities, general contractors and subcontractors, architects and engineers, building owners and manufacturers of construction-related products. Our attorneys counsel clients on issues related to office buildings, shopping centers, warehouses, commercial and industrial structures, highways, bridges, dams, docks, piers, refineries, drilling structures, and all residential structures from single-family dwellings to apartment house complexes.

Real estate and construction are exceedingly technical fields, and Cozen O’Connor attorneys are known for the depth of their technical knowledge. Whether discussing the specifics of compressive strength, load specifications, liquidation calculations, or insurance rates, our attorneys are fluent in industry-specific terminology, operations and formulas. Having lawyers with this degree of substantive background saves time, improves communication, and results in more sophisticated advocacy on behalf of our clients.

SERVICE AREAS

Litigation

  • Defend clients in commercial disputes involving real estate transactions
  • Represent construction clients in cases of catastrophic personal injury or death, design errors and omissions, defects, surety and performance bond default matters, “sick building” syndrome, and delay/cost overrun damages
  • Respond to OSHA and ADA civil rights violation claims
  • Lead industry-wide construction products litigation and arbitrations

Transactions

  • Lead real estate acquisitions, dispositions, development, and leasing deals
  • Analyze and prepare construction-related contracts
  • Arrange complex financings via senior debt, mezzanine debt, or structured finance
  • Perform loan restructuring, workouts, and foreclosures
  • Handle environmental impact assessments and risk allocation
  • Advise clients on partnering, leasing, and zoning transactions

Corporate and Regulatory

  • Provide guidance on insurance, indemnification, mechanic’s liens, and surety
  • Counsel clients on OSHA and ADA compliance
  • Assist clients with environmental regulations, land use, zoning, and condemnation laws
  • Advise construction and real estate professionals on industry best practices and standards

 

RELATED PRACTICES

  • Real Estate
  • Environmental Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Corporate Law
  • Labor & Employment
  • Tax
  • Insurance Coverage Claims/Litigation
  • Subrogation

 

 

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Experience

Publications

And Here We Go – Reformation of the FAR Directed by Executive Order [Alert]

April 17, 2025

Larry Prosen and Eric Leonard discuss President Trump's Executive Order to streamline the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

The Path Forward For Construction Cos. After Calif. Wildfires [Law360]

April 07, 2025

Jeffery Mullen and Josephine Bahn contributed an Expert Analysis to Law360 discussing the recent wildfires in Los Angeles and other parts of California, which have underscored the evolving risks that extreme weather events pose to the construction industry.

An Executive Order that Makes Sense (sort of) [Alert]

March 24, 2025

Prosen and Leonard discuss President Trump's Executive Order No. 14240 titled “Eliminating Waste and Saving Taxpayer Dollars by Consolidating Procurement.”

Executive Order Rescindments Continue: Next Up, Federal Contractor Minimum Wage [Alert]

March 19, 2025

Eric Leonard and Rachel Schwartz discuss President Trump rescinding a second batch of Biden-era executive orders (EOs), including EO 14026 (Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors).

IF IT COMES – Are you ready for another possible government shutdown? [Alert]

March 11, 2025

Prosen and Leonard discuss what federal contractors should do to prepare for a potential government shutdown.

Tackling Potential Tariff Impacts on Awarded Federal Contracts & Private Construction Contracts [Alert]

March 06, 2025

Eric Leonard, Larry Prosen, and Rachel Schwartz discuss changes to Trumps tariffs, reciprocal tariffs, and what public and private businesses can do to prepare.

Enter DOGE: Trump Executive Order Formalizes DOGE and Directs Agencies on Next Cost Cutting Steps [Alert]

March 03, 2025

Larry Prosen and Eric Leonard discuss EO 14219 and what it means for government contracts and the construction industry.

FAR Proposed Controlled Unclassified Information Rule: A Path Toward Standardization

February 20, 2025

Eric W. Leonard and Kristina Zaslavskaya, law clerk in the firm's Washington, D.C., office, discuss the FAR Council's proposed final rule regulating the use and handling of controlled unclassified information.

AG Memorandum Instructs DOJ to Investigate and Eliminate Illegal DEI Initiatives in Light of EO 14173 [Alert]

February 12, 2025

Larry Prosen, Magdalena Filipiuk, Eric Leonard, and Nicole Sprinzen discuss President Trump's executive orders involving DEI and Attorney General Bondi's memorandum to the DOJ on investigating and penalizing illegal DEI initiatives.

[+] [View All Publications]

Events & Seminars

Upcoming Events

Federal Construction Procurement and Funding: The Impact of 2025 Federal Policy Changes

June 23, 2025 - Webinar

Lawrence Prosen will present “Federal Construction Procurement and Funding: The Impact of 2025 Federal Policy Changes” during the Future of Construction & Design 2025 program hosted by the Practising Law Institute.

Data, Documents, and Discovery: Maximizing Efficiency with eDiscovery Tools

June 12, 2025 - New York, NY

Wendy Venoit will speak on the “Data, Documents, and Discovery: Maximizing Efficiency with eDiscovery Tools” panel at the 2025 American Arbitration Association Construction Conference.

It is All About Your Contract, How and Why to Address Key Subcontract Provisions

May 21, 2025 - Lone Tree, CO

Richard Kalson will present “It is All About Your Contract, How and Why to Address Key Subcontract Provisions” at the Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors Rocky Mountain Chapter Spring Meeting.

A Subcontractor’s Ultimate Dilemma: When to Terminate a Subcontract Due to a Lack of Payment

May 16, 2025 - Paso Robles, CA

Richard Kalson and Luke Eaton will present “A Subcontractor’s Ultimate Dilemma: When to Terminate a Subcontract Due to a Lack of Payment” at the Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors West Coast Chapter Annual Meeting.

Past Events

[+] [View All Events]

In The News

Wendy Venoit Named a 2025 Massachusetts Go To Construction Lawyer by Massachusetts Lawyer Weekly

April 29, 2025

Wendy Venoit, a member of the firm’s Construction Law Group, has been named a 2025 Massachusetts Go To Construction Lawyer by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

Daniel Alvarez Appointed Vice Chair of Programming, American Bar Association Litigation Section Health Care Disputes & Litigation Committee

April 07, 2025

Daniel Alvarez, an associate in the firm’s Construction Law Group, has been appointed Vice Chair of Programming of the Health Care Disputes & Litigation Committee for the American Bar Association Litigation Section.

Josephine M. Bahn: A Big Dreamer and A Strong Mother

March 26, 2025

Josephine Bahn was featured in a Girl Power Talk article discussing her journey in the legal industry.

Richard Kalson Elected to the Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors Board of Directors

February 21, 2025

Richard Kalson, a member of the firm’s Construction Law Group, has been elected to the board of directors for the Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors.

Josephine Bahn Selected as a Leaders in Law Honoree by The Daily Record

February 21, 2025

Josephine Bahn, an associate in the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, has been selected as one of The Daily Record’s 2025 Leaders in Law honorees in the Leadership in Law category.

Cozen O’Connor Adds Veteran Construction Litigator Leslie Poirier King to its Boston Office

February 03, 2025

With more than 20 years of experience as a litigator, King’s background includes advising and representing contractors, owners and design professionals in a range of corporate level construction disputes.

Natural Disasters And Wildfires Reshape CRE Dealmaking

January 16, 2025

Jeffery Mullen was quoted in a Law360 article discussing the impact that natural disasters may have on commercial real estate dealmaking.

Richard Kalson Appointed Chair of the Deep Foundations Institute Risk and Contracts Committee

December 23, 2024

Richard Kalson, a member of the firm’s Construction Law Group, has been appointed chair of the Deep Foundations Institute Risk and Contracts Committee.

Wendy Venoit Inducted into the National Academy of Construction

October 11, 2024

Wendy Venoit, a member of the firm’s Construction Law Practice, has been inducted into the National Academy of Construction (NAC).

[+] [View All News]

Contacts

William F. Davis

Vice Chair, Real Estate
Co-Chair, Real Estate Finance

wdavis@cozen.com

(212) 883-4947

Josh M. Greenbaum

Member

jgreenbaum@cozen.com

(215) 665-2788

Vincent P. Pozzuto

Co-Chair, Strategic Risk & Complex Litigation
Regional Manager, Global Insurance Department – Northeast

vpozzuto@cozen.com

(212) 908-1284

People

Awards

49 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 01, 2022

Super Lawyers has selected 49 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

138 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to the Best Lawyers in America

August 28, 2019

Best Lawyers selected 138 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 21 of the firm’s national offices for inclusion in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Related Practice Areas

Upcoming Event:

Point of View: A Panel Discussion of Helical Hot Topics with Manufacturers, Suppliers, Contractors, Consultants, and Legal Professionals

Durham, CT 05/08/2025

Richard Kalson will speak on the “Point of View: A Panel Discussion of Helical Hot Topics with Manufacturers, Suppliers, Contractors, Consultants, and Legal Professionals” panel at the Deep Foundations Institute’s 2025 Helical Seminar.

Event Details

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