| Biography | Gregory H. Chertoff specializes in construction law, regularly counseling general contractors, construction managers, EPC contractors and owners on contract negotiations, risk management and disputes. Mr. Chertoff's practice emphasizes resolving complex construction disputes through negotiation, mediation, and where necessary arbitration and litigation, on projects in New York, nationwide and internationally. He frequently addresses claims involving breach of contract, construction and design defects, liens, delays and impacts, bonds and insurance issues (including among others, general liability, builder's risk, professional liability and subcontractor default insurance) and represents some of the nation's largest contractors in building and power plant construction projects. He has a special expertise in water infiltration and mold related claims, having counseled clients with respect to hundreds of such matters. A substantial portion of Mr. Chertoff's practice is devoted to trouble-shooting difficult projects for clients before they devolve into full-blown disputes, seeking business solutions to clients' business problems. When necessary, however, he brings to bear extensive experience in representing clients before the courts of numerous states (often being admitted pro hac vice), federal courts, mediators, arbitration panels and before appellate courts. He is formerly the Secretary of the Construction Law Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and lectures on the New York Mechanic's Lien Law and construction risk management to lawyers and construction industry professionals. In light of his accomplishments, Mr. Chertoff has been recognized by Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2008 in Construction Law and was selected as a 2009 New York Metro Area Super Lawyer in the Construction Litigation and Construction/Surety practice disciplines. Mr. Chertoff is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of New York and for the District of New Jersey as well as the courts of the States of New York and New Jersey. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in 1991, and his law degree from Hofstra University in 1994. Mr. Chertoff's significant, published opinions include: Jordan Panel Systems Corp. v. Turner Construction Company, 45 A.D.3d 165, 841 N.Y.S.2d 561 (1st Dep't 2007), in which the Appellate Division upheld the dismissal of plaintiff subcontractor's breach of contract and related claims against Mr. Chertoff's general contractor client, finding that no contract existed in light of failure to satisfy express conditions precedent to contract formation, despite claims of part performance. Siemens Westinghouse Power Corp. v. Dick, 293 F.Supp.2d 336 (S.D.N.Y. 2003), awarding summary judgment in favor of Mr. Chertoff's plaintiff EPC Contractor client, granting in excess of $15,000,000 in damages against defendant consortium-partner and its surety. Siemens Westinghouse Power Corp. v. Dick, 299 F.Supp.2d 242 (S.D.N.Y. 2004), denying leave to amend to assert negligent misrepresentation and fraud counter-claims sought to be asserted by defendant against Mr. Chertoff's client and permitting entry of judgment on summary judgment award in his client's favor. Siemens Westinghouse Power Corp. v. Dick, 320 F.Supp.2d 120 (S.D.N.Y. 2004), granting motion to increase damages award on summary judgment by nearly $1,600,000 to account for pre-judgment interest. |