Maury E. Lederman, Partner

Biography:

Maury has over 35 years of experience in construction law and litigation.  He represents all players in the construction industry: private and public owners and developers, construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors, designers, and materials manufacturers.  He represents clients in contract preparation and negotiation, problem-solving and preservation of rights during construction, and all types of dispute resolution:  mediation, arbitration and litigation.  Matters he handles include disputes involving breach of contract, negligence, breach of warranty, defective work, disruption, delay, mechanic’s liens, rights and obligations under performance, payment and lien bonds, public bid requirements, and Chapter 93A violations.

Admitted to practice law in Massachusetts, Maury regularly appears before the Massachusetts State and Federal Courts and the American Arbitration Association.  Maury is a trained mediator and a member of the American Arbitration Association’s construction industry mediators’ panel.  Maury lectures and prepares written material on construction law issues for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc., Lorman Educational Services, and Next Street. He regularly conducts seminars for clients to assist them in addressing law and business related issues and goals.

Representative Experience:

  • Represented residential condominium association in multi-million dollar claim for construction defects against condominium developer, contractor, and management company for construction and design defects.  Two months after filing suit, and before conducting any discovery, obtained a $1.6 million settlement.
  • Defended window manufacturer/supplier against over $2M claim by high rise Boston waterfront condominium association for allegedly defective windows.  Engaged window expert to refute association’s claims and settled for less than 20% of amount claimed.
  • Represented large Boston non-profit in preparation and negotiation of design and construction contracts for new $80 million facility.   When original contractor went out of business, prepared and negotiated contract with completing contractor.  Negotiated settlements with several subcontractors which the original contractor failed to pay.
  • Represented materials supplier in claim for seven figure contract balance against general contractor.  When general contractor counterclaimed for delay, Maury determined that: contractor lacked documents essential to prove delay, contractor could not prove that supplier delayed project, and theory supporting delay claim was disfavored by courts in all 50 states.  Using this information, Maury convinced contractor to drop delay claim and pay his client 75% of contract balance.
  • Represented large Boston area developer in preparation and negotiation of design and construction contracts for $100 million mixed commercial and residential project in suburban Boston.
  • Represented highly respected affordable housing contractor for over 30 years in contract negotiations and disputes of all varieties with developers and subcontractors.
  • Represented hotel developer in preparation and negotiation of contracts to design and construct over $30M in new hotels and in disputes with general contractors.

Recent Publications:

  • “Private parties powerless to expand scope of court’s review of arbitrator’s decision” (August 16, 2016)
  • “General contractor’s false certifications bar it from any recovery from owner” (May 10, 2016)
  • “Important new court decision for condominium owners and contractors” (March 2, 2015)

Recent Speaking engagements:

  • Webinar for Northeast Roofing Contractors Association: “Email in the Workplace:  the good, the bad and the ugly” (February 24, 2016)
  • Architecture Boston Expo: “The six critical construction industry contract terms” (November 17, 2015)
  • Next Street: “Contracts and Partnering” (March 5, 2015)

Awards:

  • AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards
  • Named to the Best Lawyers in America list in the areas of Construction Law and Litigation – Construction (2015 – 2023)
  • Named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers Top 100 list (2019 – 2021)
  • Named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list in the construction litigation area (2006 – 2009 and 2016 – 2021 and 2023)

Recent Blog Posts and News