Gregory Chertoff, co-managing partner of Peckar & Abramson's New York City office, is one of the industry's most experienced and respected national construction attorneys practicing today. Specializing in construction law, Chertoff regularly counsels general contractors, construction managers, EPC contractors and owners on contract negotiations, risk management and disputes. His practice emphasizes resolving complex construction disputes through negotiation, mediation and, where necessary, arbitration and litigation, on projects in New York, nationwide and internationally.
Chertoff 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 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.
Chertoff has represented numerous New York City-area contractors in commercial disputes with subcontractors and public and private owners; particularly in delay and extra work claims against the state and city of New York, regional municipalities and the Metropolitan Transit Authority and many of the city's leading developers.
Steven Charney, who recently was named Peckar & Abramson's chairman, explained that Chertoff will continue his active practice while helping the firm continue its growth in the New York regional market. "We recognize that to best serve our local and national clients we need dynamic leaders like Greg. Peckar & Abramson is committed to providing the best possible legal advice to the world's leading construction firms in New York and throughout the United States," said Charney.
Chertoff 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, Chertoff has been recognized by Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2008 in Construction Law and was selected as a 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 New York Metro Area Super Lawyer in the Construction Litigation practice discipline.
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.
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 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 Chertoff's plaintiff EPC Contractor client, granting in excess of $15 million 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 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 $1.6 million to account for pre-judgment interest.
About Peckar & Abramson, P.C.
Peckar & Abramson, P.C. maintains offices in New York City, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles and has affiliations with global firms in Latin America, London and China. In addition to its core construction practice, the firm has affiliated practice groups who counsel contractors on labor and employment matters, corporate and regulatory compliance issues including D/M/WBE compliance and general corporate and real estate matters. The firm's website can be found at http://www.pecklaw.com/. Tags: