I am a Member of the law firm Charlson Braber McCabe & Denmark.
As part of my government contracts practice, I regularly advise clients on a full range of public bidding and contracting matters and issues in Pennsylvania, including bid interpretations, bid protests and challenges, bid defense, bid rejections, contract award, claims for prompt payment, surety and bonding issues, release of retainage, project delays, and garden variety construction and contract claims. My government contracts expertise covers City of Philadelphia contracts, contracts with the Pennsylvania Department of General Services and other Pennsylvania agencies and departments, such as PennDOT, and contracts with public authorities, municipalities and school districts throughout Pennsylvania.
I have extensive experience regarding compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s rules and regulations for compliance with its disadvantaged business enterprise program (DBE), and I have represented numerous clients in appeals from governmental decisions rejecting bids for non-compliance with the US DOT DBE rules and regulations.
I also represent owners, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers on a full range of issues concerning commercial and residential construction projects, including delay and interference claims, claims for payment under the Pennsylvania Contractor & Subcontractor Payment Act, surety bond claims, and filing and enforcement of mechanics’ lien claims.
For more than 25 years, I have mediated, litigated, and arbitrated both public and private construction disputes in the state and federal courts, in the Pennsylvania Board of Claims, and before the American Arbitration Association (AAA). In recognition of my experience, I was admitted to the AAA’s National Roster of Commercial Neutrals in December 2009 and have served as an appointed AAA arbitrator for every year since. The AAA is the nation’s leading provider of alternative dispute resolution services. The AAA’s National Roster of Commercial Neutrals consists of accomplished and respected experts from the legal and business communities.
From 2005 to 2017, prior to joining Charlson Braber McCabe & Denmark, I was Senior Counsel of the law firm Jacoby Donner, P.C., where I concentrated my practice in public contracts, construction law, and dispute resolution.
From 1992 to 2005, prior to joining Jacoby Donner, I served for 13 years in the Commercial Litigation Unit of the City of Philadelphia’s Law Department where I advised City departments and agencies on questions of public bidding and contract procedures, claims for payment, delay claims, general construction and surety claims, and real estate disputes. My clients at the City included the Procurement Department, the Department of Public Property, the Water and Streets Departments, the Philadelphia International Airport, and the Capital Program Office.
From 1988 to 1992, I was an associate at now-defunct Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen. From 1986 to 1988, I was a law clerk in the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
I am a 1983 graduate of Georgetown University, and a 1986 graduate of Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law.
