Lori Wisniewski Azzara

Practice Areas

Construction

Green Building

Career

Lori is a construction and commercial litigator, representing owners, developers, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors and design professionals on both private and public construction projects throughout the country. Clients turn to Lori for assistance with contract negotiations and up-front risk management as well as her effective and efficient project management advice throughout the entirety of a construction project. In her trial and dispute resolution practice, she regularly prosecutes and defends complex construction claims in mediations, arbitrations and various state and federal courts, including claims for differing site conditions, delay, disruption, inefficiency, breach of contract, and the assertion of mechanic’s liens.

Lori also assists clients in seeking certification as a Minority or Woman Business Enterprise at both the state and federal levels.

Lori is actively involved in the construction industry, currently a member of the inaugural cohort of NEXTWomen, a year-long leadership program that focuses on developing women leaders in the industry. Additionally, Lori previously served as chair of the Construction Law Section of the Allegheny County Bar Association and chair of the Pittsburgh Green Building Alliance’s Board of Directors.

She is not only a dedicated advocate for the development of women in the construction industry but also for those who work at Cohen Seglias. As chair of the Women’s Initiative and a member of the Board of Directors, Lori promotes the development and advancement of women at the firm.

Professional Memberships

Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA) – Construction Law Section (Chair), Civil Litigation Section, and Women in Law Division

Kentucky Bar Association (KBA)

Master Builders’ Association of Western PA (MBA)

Personal

What is your favorite sports team?

I am a devoted Pittsburgh sports fan.

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

I enjoy running, beach vacations, and spending time with my family.

Do you have pets?

My family has a beloved golden retriever, Bailey.

Experience

Represented a mechanical contractor against a large general contractor in an arbitration involving the renovation of a Delaware department store into laboratory facility for a large a pharmaceutical company. After a two week arbitration in Philadelphia, the arbitration panel awarded our client delay, disruption and inefficiency damages, unpaid contract balance and arbitration costs. In addition, the panel dismissed, in its entirety, the general contractor’s counterclaim.

Represented an electrical contractor in asserting claims against a general contractor for delays and disruptions that occurred during the construction of a military base elementary school in Kentucky. On a parallel track, Lori also filed a Miller Act bond claim in Kentucky federal court on behalf of her client against the general contractor’s surety.

Represented an interior construction contractor in asserting claims in West Virginia federal court against a large general contractor for delays and disruption that occurred on an federal government project in West Virginia.

Represented mechanical and plumbing contractors against a Pennsylvania school district and the general contractor’s surety in a complex litigation in Pennsylvania state court involving claims for delays and disruptions associated with the renovation of a high school to a middle school construction project.

Represented an electrical contractor in asserting claims in Michigan federal court against a large general contractor for delays and disruptions that occurred during construction work performed on a large automotive plant located in Georgetown, Kentucky.

Represented a general contractor in filing and enforcing mechanic’s liens for work performed on Pennsylvania and New Jersey construction projects.

Defended a construction management software company against general contractor’s breach of contract and warranty claims in Ohio federal court.

Assisted a woman-owned electrical construction company in appealing Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program denial of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification.

Education

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Pennsylvania

West Virginia

Ohio

Kentucky

New York

U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania

U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia

U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana