Zetlin & De Chiara

What Zetlin & De Chiara does

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP is a boutique construction law firm founded in 1992 and headquartered in New York City, with additional offices in Montclair, New Jersey and Stamford, Connecticut. The firm provides a full spectrum of legal services centered on the construction industry, including contract negotiation and preparation, litigation and alternative dispute resolution, risk management counseling, administrative hearings, bonds and liens, business and corporate advice, employment law, intellectual property, professional licensing, real estate, and counsel on international projects. It serves a diverse client base spanning real estate owners and developers, architectural and engineering firms, construction managers, owners' representatives, and municipal government entities.

The firm differentiates itself through attorneys with dual-domain credentials: many hold backgrounds as former in-house counsel, licensed engineers, architects, or LEED-accredited professionals, and several serve as AAA-certified mediators, arbitrators on the Large Complex Construction Case and Construction Mega Project Panels, and Fellows of the American College of Construction Lawyers. Co-founders Michael S. Zetlin and Michael K. De Chiara are co-editors of "New York Construction Law," the definitive treatise on New York construction law. The firm is independently owned by its partners, with no external investment, and operates as a private limited liability partnership.

Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, supported by thought leadership (industry publications, client alerts on regulatory shifts such as NYC Local Law 97), active participation in construction industry organizations (AIA, ACEC, ABA Forum on Construction Law, Global Design Alliance), and a regional office footprint covering the Northeast corridor. Revenue is generated through attorney fees billed on a matter-by-matter basis under negotiated engagements, with no publicly disclosed pricing, recurring contracts, or subscription offerings. The firm is consistently ranked as a top construction law practice in New York by Chambers USA (15+ consecutive years), Legal 500 US, and Best Lawyers in America.

Name

Zetlin & De Chiara

Legal name

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP

Website

https://zdlaw.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP is a boutique New York-based construction law firm serving owners, developers, architects, engineers, construction managers, and municipalities with litigation, contract, risk management, and regulatory counsel across the Northeast US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Law Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Real Estate & Construction Law (BPAHAAAE)

Keywords

• Construction law services
• Construction litigation
• Contract negotiation
• Alternative dispute resolution
• Risk management counsel

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Services - Construction Law: Full-service construction law firm providing legal counsel and business advice to construction industry participants including owners, developers, design professionals, and construction managers. Revenue generated through attorney fees for legal services spanning contract drafting, litigation, arbitration, mediation, and risk management counseling.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP is a boutique law firm that provides construction law services to construction industry participants including owners, developers, design professionals, and construction managers. The firm delivers legal counsel spanning contract drafting and negotiation, construction litigation, arbitration, mediation, risk management counseling, administrative hearings, bonds and liens, professional licensing, intellectual property, and construction industry regulatory compliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Construction Law Services Full-range legal services centered around construction law, including litigation, contract negotiation, risk management, and alternative dispute resolution for architects, engineers, developers, construction managers, owners, and municipalities.
• Administrative Hearings Legal representation and counsel in administrative hearings before government agencies including the NYC Department of Buildings, Fire Department, and Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).
• Bonds and Liens Legal services related to construction bonds, mechanic's liens, and related financial instruments protecting parties in construction transactions.
• Business Advice Business counsel for design professionals and construction firms including ownership transitions, mergers, acquisitions, and firm organization.
• Contract Negotiation and Preparation Drafting and negotiating construction contracts for owners, design professionals, and contractors including design-build, IPD, and P3 delivery methods.
• Corporate Law Corporate legal services including entity formation, governance, and business organization for design and construction firms.
• Employment Law Employment-related legal services for construction industry clients including compliance and workforce matters.
• Intellectual Property IP legal services for design professionals protecting creative work and innovations in construction.
• International Projects Legal counsel for construction projects located outside the United States and international construction disputes.
• Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Construction litigation, arbitration, mediation, and dispute resolution services including AAA Large Complex Construction Case Panel arbitrations.
• Professional Licensing Legal counsel on professional licensing for architects, engineers, and design professionals across multiple jurisdictions.
• Real Estate Real estate legal services related to construction projects, property acquisition, and development.
• Risk Management Risk management counseling for construction projects including insurance analysis and loss control procedures.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked as one of two top firms in New York for Construction Law by Chambers USA
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Workwell CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2020Zetlin & De Chiara joined PLASTARC and other organizations across the design and construction industries to form the Workwell Coalition, supporting companies in developing strategic approaches to navigating COVID-19 and post-lockdown return to physical workplaces. The coalition comprises architects, engineers, interior designers and construction experts providing holistic advisory services.
• Global Design Alliance (GDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZetlin & De Chiara is a member of the Global Design Alliance, an international network of architecture, engineering, design and construction firms. Leaders of member firms meet regularly to promote change and have collaborated on numerous projects ranging from design and construction to diversity and inclusion initiatives. Special Counsel Patricia Harris serves on the Board of Directors and is Chair-elect of the GDA.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Peckar & Abramson: One of the largest US construction law firms with offices nationwide; competes directly with Z&D for construction contract drafting, dispute resolution, and litigation work for owners, contractors, and design professionals.
• Smith, Currie & Hancock: Long-standing boutique construction law firm with a national footprint; offers nearly identical service lines (contract drafting, litigation, risk management) to construction industry clients, making it a directly comparable competitor.
• Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald: Boutique construction and government contracts law firm specializing in complex construction disputes, comparable in size, specialization, and client base to Zetlin & De Chiara.
• Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman: Mid-Atlantic construction law firm serving owners, contractors, and design professionals with construction contract, litigation, and dispute resolution services — directly comparable practice mix.
• Traub Lieberman Straus & Shrewsberry: Construction-focused boutique law firm offering litigation, contract negotiation, and risk management to the construction industry; competes with Z&D for similar Northeast-based owners, contractors, and design professionals.
• Carlin & Buchsbaum: Construction law boutique representing design professionals, contractors, and owners in litigation and transactional matters; similar specialization profile and client base to Z&D.

Broad incumbents

• Holland & Knight: Major national full-service firm with a substantial construction practice; competes with Z&D for large construction mandates but offers broader practice coverage across the US and internationally.
• Akerman LLP: Large national firm with a well-regarded construction practice; serves owners, developers, and contractors across multiple jurisdictions and competes with Z&D for cross-border construction mandates.
• Bradley Arant Boult Cummings: Full-service firm with a strong construction practice; competes for large construction disputes and contract work, especially in Southeast markets where Z&D has no presence.
• Goldberg Segalla: National litigation-focused firm with a notable construction practice group; competes with Z&D in construction litigation and dispute resolution, particularly for insurance and risk management matters.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/zdlaw1
• Facebookfacebook.com/ZetlinDeChiaraLLP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zetlin-&-de-chiara-llp
• Instagraminstagram.com/zetlinanddechiara

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zetlin & De Chiara