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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 

  • New Jersey State Bar Association; Construction Law Section, Past Co-Chair (2022-2023)
  • 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)
  • Rensselaer Club of New Jersey (Vice President, 2006 – 2012)
  • Scouts BSA (Boy Scouts of America): Order of the Arrow (Vigil Honor Member); Monmouth Council Merit Badge Counselor in Law, Public Speaking, Communication, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in Society, Citizenship in the Community, Journalism, Entrepreneurship, American Business, American Heritage, Hiking and Personal Fitness
  • Steve is a member of the firm's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Recruitment & Retention Focus Group
  • American Arbitration Association (AAA): Panel of Construction Arbitrators; Consumer Panel
  • Plumbing Engineer and PHC News (Legal Columnist, 2015-present)
  • As Co-Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Construction Law Section, Steve was interviewed by the New Jersey Law Journal for the publication’s Bar Report section, during which he commented on COVID, supply chain issues and Hurricane Sandy.
  • 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)
  • Law360 Real Estate Editorial Board (2024 – 2025); Real Estate Editorial Advisory Board (2023); Construction Editorial Advisory Board (2022)
  • Diversity Law Institute
  • Trial Law Institute
  • Active volunteer in educational programs for high school and college students and in professional development programs for lawyers. His activities include an annual lecture to the “Introduction to Law Class” at George College & State University; judging local and regional mock trial competitions presented by the American Mock Trial Association College and Middlesex County Bar Foundation; judging the regional semifinals of the ABA-LSD National Appellate Advocacy Competition (national law student moot court competition); judging DECA-NJ local and statewide competitions.
  • Plumbing Systems & Design, American Society of Plumbing Engineers (Legal Columnist, 2008-2011)
  • Former judicial intern to The Honorable Naomi R. Buchwald, United States District Court, Southern District of New York (former Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge)
  • Journal of Law and Policy, Brooklyn Law School (Editor-in-Chief, 1994-1995)

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