Practice Areas
Biography
Mr. Schmitt’s practice focuses on representing clients involved in construction disputes, as well as in drafting documents and negotiating agreements which limit his clients’ potential risks. He has successfully represented contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, property owners, real estate developers, and sureties. Mr. Schmitt regularly advises his clients on a broad range of topics, including contract-based disputes, construction/design defects, delays, mechanics’ liens, bid protests, Consumer Fraud Act claims, and both prosecuting and defending bond claims. In addition to his litigation practice, he represents his clients in the mediation and arbitration forums as appropriate.
With more than twenty-five years of experience in construction law and the business of construction management, Mr. Schmitt has the base of knowledge to understand the core dispute and provide his clients with practical counsel on the most efficient way to achieve their goals. He has served as in-house counsel for a commercial real estate developer, held an executive position with a residential general contractor, and acted as claims counsel for a surety that specialized in bonding construction contractors. While attending Temple University’s Beasley School of Law at night, Mr. Schmitt worked full-time as an estimator and cost engineer on the construction of a prominent Philadelphia skyscraper.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented masonry subcontractor in eight day arbitration in which general contractor was found liable on all counts and subcontractor was awarded attorneys’ fees and legal costs for general contractor’s violation of the New Jersey Prompt Payment Act.
- Successfully defended owner in two day bench trial where plaintiff had filed a willfully overstated mechanics lien claim in violation of New Jersey statute.
Background
Bar and Court Admissions
Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for District of New Jersey
Licenses
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Education
Beasley School of Law, Temple University, J.D., 2009
The Pennsylvania State University, B.A., 1999
News & Events
Recent Events
Payment Laws Made For Contractors – Pennsylvania’s Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Law and New Jersey’s Prompt Payment Law: https://www.levelset.com/webinars/understanding-pennsylvania-and-new-jersey-construction-law/, Webinar, August 20th, 2020