2026 Chambers USA
Spotlight Guide
Real Estate & Construction Law

New York City Construction Law Firm

Trusted NYC Construction Attorneys
for Developers, Contractors & Design Professionals

Peraino Malinowski LLP is a full-service New York City construction law firm recognized in the 2026 Chambers USA Spotlight Guide for Real Estate & Construction Law. We represent developers, general contractors, subcontractors, construction managers, architects, and engineers throughout every stage of the construction process — from contract drafting through dispute resolution and litigation.

10+ Attorneys
NYC All Five Boroughs
§881 RPAPL Specialists
2026 Chambers USA

Our Construction Legal Services

Comprehensive NYC Construction Law Representation

Construction Contract Drafting & Negotiation

Our NYC construction contract attorneys draft and negotiate all forms of construction agreements — AIA contracts, design-build agreements, general contractor and subcontractor contracts, construction management agreements, and owner-architect contracts — protecting your interests from project inception through completion.

Construction Litigation & Dispute Resolution

When construction disputes arise, our NYC construction litigators are ready. We handle breach of contract claims, delay and disruption claims, change order disputes, construction defect claims, and payment disputes before New York State courts and in arbitration proceedings.

Mechanic's Liens & Payment Disputes

Our NYC mechanic's lien attorneys represent contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in filing, enforcing, and defending against mechanic's liens under New York's Lien Law. We also handle payment bond claims and trust fund violations affecting construction projects throughout New York City.

RPAPL §881 — Construction Access Proceedings

Peraino Malinowski LLP is one of NYC's leading firms for RPAPL Section 881 construction access proceedings. We represent developers seeking court-ordered access licenses and adjoining property owners protecting their rights — essential in New York City's dense construction environment.

NYC DOB Compliance & Regulatory Matters

Our attorneys navigate NYC Department of Buildings regulations, stop work orders, permit disputes, ECB violations, and zoning compliance matters. We help developers and contractors resolve DOB issues efficiently to keep projects on schedule and in compliance.

Design Professional Representation

We represent architects, engineers, and design professionals in contract negotiation, professional liability claims, errors and omissions disputes, and indemnification matters arising from New York City construction projects — protecting your practice and your license.

NYC Mechanic's Lien & Payment Dispute Attorneys

Mechanic's Liens & Construction
Payment Disputes in New York

New York's Lien Law gives contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers a powerful tool to secure payment — but strict filing deadlines and procedural requirements make it critical to have experienced counsel. A mechanic's lien attorney in New York City can mean the difference between getting paid and losing your claim entirely.

Peraino Malinowski LLP represents lien claimants enforcing payment and property owners and lenders challenging improper liens. We also handle payment bond claims, construction trust fund violations, and stop payment notices on public and private construction projects throughout the five boroughs.

Speak with a construction attorney today →

NYC
Lien Law
Specialists

NYC Construction Attorney

Construction Law in New York City Demands Specialized Expertise

New York City construction is unlike any other market in the world. With some of the most complex zoning regulations, aggressive project timelines, dense urban sites requiring RPAPL §881 access proceedings, and billions of dollars moving through the city's construction economy each year, having the right NYC construction attorney is not optional — it's essential.

At Peraino Malinowski LLP, our New York City construction lawyers combine deep transactional knowledge with courtroom-ready litigation strength. We understand the NYC Department of Buildings, the New York State Lien Law, standard industry contracts, and what it takes to protect your interests when a project goes sideways.

Our construction clients include prominent real estate developers, general contractors, specialty subcontractors, construction managers, architects, and engineers working on projects across Manhattan and all five boroughs.

Our Approach

Proactive. Strategic. Ready to Fight for Your Project.

The best construction attorney in New York City doesn't just react to problems — they prevent them. Peraino Malinowski LLP takes a proactive approach to construction law, identifying risks in contracts before they become disputes, and positioning clients for favorable outcomes if litigation becomes necessary.

Our team brings experience across construction contract negotiation, mechanic's lien law, construction defect claims, delay and disruption damages, NYC DOB compliance, and RPAPL §881 neighbor access proceedings.

Located at 152 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, we serve construction clients throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Call (646) 360-4358 to speak with a New York construction attorney today.

In-Depth Practice Areas

What Our NYC Construction Lawyers Handle

Construction Contract Drafting & Review

A poorly drafted construction contract is the leading cause of disputes on New York City projects. Our NYC construction contract attorneys draft, review, and negotiate AIA contracts, design-build agreements, GMP contracts, lump sum contracts, unit price contracts, construction management at-risk agreements, and all forms of subcontractor and supplier agreements — ensuring your rights are protected before the first shovel hits the ground.

Construction Delay & Disruption Claims

Delays are the most common and costly disputes on New York City construction projects. Our attorneys represent owners, contractors, and subcontractors in construction delay claims, including schedule analysis, critical path method (CPM) analysis, disruption damages, acceleration claims, and force majeure disputes arising from New York construction projects.

Change Order & Extra Work Disputes

Disputes over change orders and extra work claims are among the most heavily litigated issues in New York construction law. Our attorneys represent contractors pursuing payment for changed or additional work and owners defending against improper change order claims — with deep experience in the notice requirements and documentation standards New York courts apply.

RPAPL §881 Construction Access Proceedings

Our attorneys are recognized leaders in RPAPL Section 881 proceedings — the essential legal tool for obtaining court-ordered access to adjoining properties during construction in New York City. We represent both developers seeking access and neighbors protecting their buildings from construction impacts.

Construction Defect Claims

When construction work fails to meet contract specifications or industry standards, the resulting disputes can be complex and costly. Our NYC construction defect attorneys represent owners, developers, general contractors, and subcontractors in construction defect claims — from water infiltration and structural failures to design errors and code violations — before New York courts and in arbitration.

Mechanic's Lien Filing & Enforcement

New York's Lien Law gives contractors and suppliers a powerful tool to secure payment on construction projects — but deadlines are strict and unforgiving. Our NYC mechanic's lien attorneys handle lien filings, lien foreclosure actions, lien discharges, and lien bond releases throughout New York City, protecting the payment rights of contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers.

NYC Department of Buildings & Regulatory Compliance

Peraino Malinowski LLP advises developers and contractors on NYC Department of Buildings regulations, stop work orders, permit applications and appeals, ECB violations, and compliance with the NYC Building Code, Zoning Resolution, and applicable state and federal regulations. We help clients navigate DOB challenges quickly to minimize project delays.

Public Construction & Prevailing Wage

Public construction projects in New York carry unique legal requirements, including prevailing wage compliance, certified payroll obligations, Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) requirements, and strict bidding procedures. Our attorneys advise contractors on public project compliance and represent clients in prevailing wage audits and disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

NYC Construction Attorney — Common Questions

What does a New York City construction attorney do?

A NYC construction attorney represents developers, contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and owners in all phases of construction — from drafting and negotiating contracts to resolving payment disputes, filing mechanic's liens, litigating delay claims, and handling NYC DOB compliance matters. Peraino Malinowski LLP provides comprehensive construction legal services throughout the five boroughs.

How long do I have to file a mechanic's lien in New York?

In New York, the deadline to file a mechanic's lien depends on the type of project. For private improvements, a general contractor has 8 months from the last date of work, while subcontractors and suppliers have 4 months. For new single-family and two-family homes, the deadline is 4 months for all claimants. These deadlines are strict — missing them can permanently bar your claim. Contact a NYC mechanic's lien attorney immediately if you have not been paid.

What is RPAPL §881 and why is it important for NYC construction?

RPAPL §881 allows a property owner or developer to petition the court for a license to access an adjoining property during construction — for activities like installing a sidewalk shed, underpinning a foundation, or erecting protective netting. In New York City's dense built environment, nearly every major construction project triggers §881 issues. Peraino Malinowski LLP is a recognized leader in these proceedings.

What types of construction disputes does Peraino Malinowski LLP handle?

Our NYC construction litigation practice covers breach of contract claims, delay and disruption damages, change order disputes, construction defect claims, mechanic's lien actions, payment bond claims, design professional liability, stop work order challenges, RPAPL §881 access disputes, and subcontractor payment disputes across all project types in New York City.

Does Peraino Malinowski LLP represent subcontractors and specialty trades?

Yes. We represent general contractors, subcontractors, specialty trades, and material suppliers on New York City construction projects. Our attorneys handle subcontractor contract review, payment disputes, back-charge defenses, mechanic's lien filings, and pass-through claims against project owners — ensuring that subcontractors get paid for work they perform.

Where is Peraino Malinowski LLP located?

Our office is located at 152 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016 — Midtown Manhattan. We serve construction clients throughout all five boroughs and the surrounding metro area. Call (646) 360-4358 or email admin@pmlaw.nyc to speak with a New York City construction attorney.

Serving Construction Clients Across New York City

NYC Construction Attorneys Across Every Borough & Neighborhood

Peraino Malinowski LLP represents construction clients on projects throughout New York City, including the following neighborhoods and submarkets:

Midtown Manhattan Downtown Manhattan Tribeca SoHo Upper East Side Upper West Side Hudson Yards Hell's Kitchen Chelsea Flatiron Financial District Williamsburg DUMBO Downtown Brooklyn Long Island City Astoria Flushing The Bronx Staten Island Greenpoint

Contact a Construction Attorney in NYC

Ready to Speak with a
New York City Construction Lawyer?

Whether you need a construction contract reviewed, a mechanic's lien filed, an RPAPL §881 proceeding handled, or aggressive representation in a construction dispute — Peraino Malinowski LLP is ready to help.

Schedule a Consultation (646) 360-4358
Direct line to our NYC construction law office — (646) 360-4358