Chad I. Michaelson

Partner

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Areas of practice

Education

  • J.D., Emory University School of Law
  • B.A., West Virginia University

Bar Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • Georgia

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

Biography

Chad is an experienced trial lawyer and a trusted advisor to companies seeking to avoid or resolve business disputes. He works primarily in the construction industry but has represented clients large and small in many other businesses as well. He adds value by providing thoughtful, practical advice focused on achieving best outcomes in complex situations.

His work has garnered recognition by many independent organizations. He holds an “AV Preeminent” peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell; is ranked by Chambers & Partners in Construction Law; has been selected repeatedly for inclusion in “Best Lawyers in America” and “Super Lawyers” in the fields of Business Litigation and Construction Law; has been selected as a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America; and in 2023 was elected a member of the prestigious Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County.

Chad is a member of the firm’s Management Committee and the chair of its Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. He provides pro bono representation to low-income tenants in housing matters and serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, teaching construction law and risk management. A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, Chad currently resides in Mt. Lebanon and most enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

Representative Matters

  • Resolved complex subsurface trespass claims between a solution mining operator and neighboring oil and gas producers involving damages in excess of $70 million.
  • Part of trial team that obtained a verdict worth more than $30 million after a 5-week jury trial involving technical subject matter and complex contractual and legal issues.
  • Obtained a $3 million jury verdict against a contractor that defaulted on a public construction project.
  • Won a $6 million arbitration award for a highway contractor in a dispute involving differing site conditions.
  • Negotiated a substantial recovery for condominium owners in a complex, multi-party construction defect case.
  • Represented an electric generator in litigation involving the early termination of coal supply agreements valued in excess of $200 million.
  • Helped a natural gas producer seek recovery of more than $10 million in environmental costs incurred because of a subcontractor’s negligence.
  • Successfully defended an engineering firm in a $30 million dispute involving complex design defect and delay claims relating to the construction of a blast furnace.
  • Counseled closely-held company through corporate governance dispute with minority shareholder.
  • Challenged insurer’s denial of coverage and obtained recovery for manufacturing company that had suffered damage to inventory in a fire.

Education

  • J.D., Emory University School of Law – with honors, 1999
    • Emory International Law Review
    • Recipient of the Moffett Litigation Award for trial advocacy skills
  • B.A. in Political Science and History, West Virginia University, 1996

Communications

  • “How “Sure” is a Surety Bond?” Breaking Ground, Jan/Feb 2024
  • Cost Accounting and Construction Contracts – More Complex Than It Appears,” The Legal Intelligencer, August 15, 2019
  • “Mechanics’ Liens in Pennsylvania,” Faculty Member, Pennsylvania Bar Institute Seminar, June 2017
  • Co-Author, Pennsylvania Mechanics’ Liens (Pennsylvania Bar Institute 2017)
  • Co-Author, Pennsylvania Construction Law: Project Delivery Methods, Execution and Completion (2nd ed.) (Pennsylvania Bar Institute 2016)
  • “Pennsylvania Building Code Update,” Lorman Educational Seminar, September 23, 2016
  • “Civil Liability of Building Code Officials,” Presenter, Pennsylvania Association of Building Code Officials Conference, September 20, 2016
  • “High Performance Building Codes,” Presenter, Master Builders Association of Western Pennsylvania Green Building Symposium, October 23, 2013
  • “Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code,” Presenter, Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education Seminar, June 19, 2013
  • “Avoiding E-Discovery Pitfalls,” Construction Today, August 2011