PHILADELPHIA AND NEW YORK, April 6, 2016—Duane Morris LLP is pleased to announce that Mark A. Canizio, a partner in the firm’s New York office, has been named head of the firm’s 95-lawyer Construction Practice Group.

“Mark is a great construction lawyer, and he has shown superb leadership as vice-chair of our Construction Group,” said Matthew A. Taylor, Chairman of the firm’s Trial Practice Group. “He’ll be an excellent leader. He has been personally involved with some of New York’s most significant construction matters. We’re expecting great things from him in his new leadership role.”

“I am very excited about the opportunity to lead our great team of construction lawyers,” said Canizio. “From San Francisco to New York, to Boston, to Atlanta, to Miami, the Duane Morris group has a winning record in every kind of complex construction dispute. It’s a privilege to take the helm of such a capable group.”

Canizio practices in the areas of construction and commercial litigation, including numerous complex construction cases involving multimillion-dollar disputes. Canizio also has extensive experience in both major trials and arbitrations, including the use of cutting-edge computer technology to conduct discovery, organize and manage documents, and present evidence in the courtroom. He has also successfully employed jury consultants and conducted mock trials to help clients assess the reaction of potential jurors to their cases. Canizio has litigated numerous cases involving some of the industry’s largest construction companies.

Canizio is a 1982 graduate of Brooklyn Law School and a graduate of Baruch College in 1979.

Examples of Canizio’s experience include:

• Obtained a judgment from the State Supreme Court, New York County, dismissing defendant’s affirmative defenses and counterclaims for fraud against Duane Morris’ client totaling $75 million arising out of the criminal convictions for fraud of two former employees and several subcontractors.
• Obtained dismissal, on behalf of an educational institution, of more than $10 million in claims, in connection with the construction of a new campus.
• Represented a major public works contractor in its $50 million claim against the State of New York arising out of a $150 million project for the construction of the interchange between the Long Island Expressway and the Cross Island Parkway.
• Represented one of the 10 largest construction companies in New York, in defense of major litigation involving the renovation and alteration of the iconic Williamsburg Savings Bank building in Brooklyn, New York, from an office building to a mixed-use building involving retail, residential and commercial spaces.

About Duane Morris’ Construction Group

Duane Morris’ Construction Group is nationally ranked by Chambers USA among the leaders in the industry, with construction attorneys across the United States and around the world. The group’s lawyers provide a full range of legal services to clients in all aspects of construction and government contracting, including: contract formation and performance; claims prevention; construction claims; bid protests; default/termination claims and surety practice; labor and employment; insurance programs; OSHA compliance issues; sustainable designed construction; and property damage claims.

About Duane Morris

Duane Morris LLP, a law firm with more than 750 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally, is asked by a broad array of clients to provide innovative solutions to today’s legal and business challenges.