Michael is trusted by his construction industry clients to handle their most difficult construction projects and disputes. He is known for finding practical resolutions to complex construction negotiations and claims.
Michael draws on more than 25 years of experience serving the industry. He has a nationwide construction practice counseling owners, contractors, and trade subcontractors on construction projects across the U.S.
He guides his construction industry clients through all stages of their projects, from contracting through execution to claims resolution. Michael focuses on project risk management and front-end preparation for owners and contractors to avoid disputes while ensuring on-time, on-budget project delivery. Michael serves as national construction counsel for some of America’s largest developers, assisting with the design and construction of shopping centers and mixed-use properties across the U.S. Michael is a first-chair construction litigator who represents owners, contractors, and trade subcontractors in multi-million dollar disputes. He has served as lead counsel on power generation projects, renewable energy, data centers, manufacturing plants, steel mills, water and wastewater treatment plants, hospitals, schools, courthouses, bridge and highway projects, condominium and mixed-use facilities, and sports and entertainment complexes. Michael has substantial renewable energy experience representing contractors in the construction of wind, solar, and battery storage projects across the U.S.
Michael has experience litigating government contracts at the local, state, and federal levels. He has practiced before the Pennsylvania Board of Claims, the U.S Court of Federal Claims, and the Boards of Contract Appeals, subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulations and laws unique to working with state and federal governments.
Michael is active with the Master Builders Association of Western Pennsylvania, where he serves as chair of the Affiliate Council, International Council of Shopping Centers, and the Construction Section of the Allegheny County Bar Association. Michael is admitted pro hac vice in multiple jurisdictions across the U.S. Before joining McNees, he spent 23 years at Blumling & Gusky, LLP, a Pittsburgh-based boutique construction and real estate law firm, where he was a founding partner.
Micjael earned his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law in 1995 and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1992.
University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D.
University of Michigan, B.A.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
The Best Lawyers in America®, Best Lawyers, 2010 – 2027
American Bar Association, Construction and Surety Section
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Construction Section
Allegheny County Bar Association, Construction Law Section, council member
Construction Financial Management Association
Master Builders Association, affiliate council chair
Internal Council of Shopping Centers
Pittsburgh Musical Theater, board member
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