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Steven Nudelman
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Steve is a pragmatic, deeply experienced construction lawyer who represents clients in negotiating and drafting construction contracts and in prosecuting or defending construction-related claims. For over 30 years, he has represented members of the construction industry across a broad spectrum of matters.

On the transactional side, Steve works on behalf of owners and developers, construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals – including architects, engineers, and other licensed professions – to prepare and negotiate contract documents for commercial and residential construction projects in the New Jersey and New York metropolitan area. He has specific expertise advising condominium associations and unit owners on construction and renovation projects in condominiums and other common-interest communities.

Drawing on his experience with construction claims, Steve’s construction contracting work helps clients manage the risks inherent in construction projects so they can adequately protect their interests and avoid disputes in the future. He drafts, modifies, and negotiates customized contracts, as well as contracts based on standard industry forms from groups such as the American Institute of Architects, ConsensusDocs, and the Design Build Institute of America.

Steve also advises developers and owners on the selection of appropriate project delivery systems and provides follow-up continuity on contract administration and, when necessary, claims management.

When claims and disputes are unavoidable, Steve represents clients in state and federal court litigation throughout the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area, as well as in local and international mediations and arbitrations. He has defended and asserted claims on behalf of owners, developers, condominium associations, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, vendors, and sureties involved in public and private construction projects.

Steve has targeted experience with disputes involving home improvement contractor claims, construction, condominium, and municipal mechanic’s lien claims, construction defects, design and performance defects, and design professional errors & omissions and malpractice. His work includes disputes involving construction code violations and construction contract claims involving payment, acceleration, liquidated damages, delays, disruption, lost productivity, force majeure, site conditions, warranties, and payment and performance bonds.

He has represented clients in public contracting concerning violations under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, in addition to clients who receive code violations lodged by state or local enforcement officials under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code Act, defending them in proceedings in municipal court and before the Construction Board of Appeals and the Office of Administrative Law.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Bar Admissions

  • New Jersey, 1995
  • New York, 1996
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1995
  • U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, 1996
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 2000

Education

  • Brooklyn Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1995
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, B.S., cum laude, 1990

Recognition

  • Construction Lawyers Society of America, Charter Fellow, Order of Equitas Barrister 
  • Litigation Counsel of America Fellow
  • Listed in Chambers USA (a publication of Chambers and Partners) in the Construction practice area (2021 - present)
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (a trademark of Woodward/White, Inc.) in the Litigation - Construction practice area (2012 – present)
  • Selected by Best Lawyers (a trademark of Woodward/White, Inc.) as Woodbridge "Lawyer of the Year" in Litigation - Construction (2013)
  • Listed in New Jersey Super Lawyers (a Thomson Reuters business) in the Construction Litigation: Business, Business Litigation and Business/Corporate practice areas (2018 - present)
  • Listed in Lexology Index Thought Leaders: USA (published by Law Business Research Ltd.) in the area of Construction
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent (a trademark of Internet Brands, Inc.)
  • Selected for inclusion in 2022 by NJBIZ (a publication of Bridge Tower Media) on its “Leaders in Law” list
  • Recipient of APEX Award for Publication Excellence in Feature Series Writing (2006)

Construction Lawyers Society of America Best Lawyers - Lawyer Logo Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year Logo View the profile of New Jersey Construction Litigation Attorney Steven Nudelman

Please visit our Award Methodology page for a description of the standard or methodology on which these accolades are based. Attorney Advertising: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Other Experience

  • Former judicial intern to The Honorable Naomi R. Buchwald, United States District Court, Southern District of New York (former Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge)

Representative Matters

  • The firm represents residential property owners in a multi-million-dollar construction defect and consumer fraud action arising from a high-end renovation project in Glen Ridge, asserting claims for cost overruns, defective workmanship, unauthorized changes, and violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.
  • Represented the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) as construction contracting counsel on the University’s Oak Hall residential hall facility. The Greenbaum team guided the University through procurement, contract development, and negotiations with the project’s design-build partner, helping ensure the project moved forward efficiently and on sound contractual footing. This project was recognized by the New Jersey Alliance for Action as one of New Jersey’s Leading Capital Construction Projects.
  • Representing the owner of a large mixed-use residential development in Harrison in an appeal of a municipal withdrawing of a construction permit, challenging alleged construction delays and seeking to avoid substantial project harm and related damages.
  • Defending a developer and general contractor in construction litigation brought by a specialty subcontractor on a six-story mixed-use project in Bayonne, asserting counterclaims and third-party claims for professional malpractice, breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, and Consumer Fraud Act violations.
  • Representing a commercial property owner in connection with defective design and installation of a solar photovoltaic system, including termination of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor and pursuit of damages against contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and design professionals.
  • Advising a national energy solutions provider on the resolution and defense of mechanic’s lien claims arising from EV charging station projects in the New York City metropolitan area, including discharging filed liens through bonding and developing lien avoidance strategies for future projects.
  • Representing the largest healthcare system in New Jersey in drafting and negotiating design and construction agreements for capital projects across its hospital network, including interior renovations, specialty medical upgrades, equipment relocations, and large-scale parking garage construction.
  • Represented the New Jersey Schools Development Authority in long-running condemnation and environmental remediation litigation, securing recovery of more than $4 million in escrowed funds to reimburse cleanup costs incurred by the client.
  • Prosecuted construction lien, Prompt Payment Act, bond, and contract claims on behalf of Merrick, a national engineering, architecture, surveying and geospatial firm, in connection with a biosolids gasification facility, resolving claims exceeding $1.1 million and defending against counterclaims alleging professional negligence.

Memberships

  • American Bar Association: Forum on Construction Law (2024 Annual Meeting Session Coordinator; 2023 Mid-Winter Meeting Session Coordinator); Young Lawyers Division, (New Jersey Delegate to the Assembly, 2004 – 2005), Young Lawyers Division Newsletter (Editor, 2003 – 2004)
  • New Jersey State Bar Association: Construction Law Section, Past Co-Chair (2022-2023)
  • American Arbitration Association (AAA): Panel of Construction Arbitrators; Consumer Panel
  • Diversity Law Institute
  • Trial Law Institute

AAA-ICDR Panel Member

Committees

  • District Fee Arbitration Committee (District VIII - Middlesex County): Secretary (2024- present); Chair (2020-2023); Vice Chair (2019-2020)
  • New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Complementary Dispute Resolution (2023-2025; 2021-2023; 2019-2021; 2017-2019)

Other Activities

  • Law360 Real Estate Editorial Board (2024 – 2025); Real Estate Editorial Advisory Board (2023); Construction Editorial Advisory Board (2022)
  • New Jersey State Board of Bar Examiners (appointed by New Jersey Supreme Court) (Bar Reader, 2007-2022)

Personal

  • Regularly volunteers in educational and professional development programs, including delivering an annual lecture to the “Introduction to Law” class at George College & State University and judging competitions for the American Mock Trial Association, Middlesex County Bar Foundation, ABA-LSD National Appellate Advocacy Competition, and DECA-NJ
  • Vigil Honor Member of the Boy Scouts of America's Order of the Arrow and Merit Badge Counselor for numerous subjects, including law, public speaking, citizenship, journalism, and entrepreneurship
  • Rensselaer Club of New Jersey (Vice President, 2006 – 2012)
  • While attending law school, served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Law and Policy and was the recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Legal Writing 

Announcements

Client Alerts

Published Articles

Seminars & Events

Construction projects require a proactive legal strategy to manage risk and protect the client’s investment. Greenbaum partner Steven Nudelman, a leader of our construction practice, explains how we provide support across every phase, from drafting foundational contracts to advocacy in state and federal courts and alternative dispute resolution forums.  

Of Interest