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Robert C. Epstein represents clients in the area of construction law, contracting and litigation. Robert is a frequent author and lecturer in the area of construction law and his educational video, "The Art of Managing Construction Risks," identifies risk areas on construction projects and examines how project owners may minimize these risks to achieve a successful project.

Concentrations

  • Construction contracts, law and litigation
  • Public infrastructure procurements and projects

The attorney is providing legal services through and affiliated with Greenberg Traurig, LLP, a New York Limited Liability Partnership. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Capabilities

Experience

  • D&D Associates, Inc. v. North Plainfield Board of Education, 552 Fed. Appx. 110 (3d Circuit 2014); 2012 WL 1079583 (D.N.J. 2012); and 2011 WL 1871110 (D.N.J. 2011) (contractor claims)
  • American Motorists Ins. Co. v. North Plainfield Board of Education, 2013 WL 5337041 (App. Div. 2013) (contractor claims)
  • P.J. Smith Electrical Contractors v. North Plainfield Board of Education, 2013 WL 5975898 (App. Div. 2013) (contractor claims)
  • Gould v. Ruefenacht, 471 U.S. 701 (1985) (meaning of "security" under the federal securities laws)
  • Ruefenacht v. O'Halloran, 737 F.2d 320 (3d. Cir. 1984) (meaning of "security" under the federal securities laws)
  • Center 48 L.P. v. The May Dept. Stores Company, 355 N.J. Super. 390 (App. Div. 2002) (enforcement of guaranty)
  • Amerex v. Doane, 688 F.2d 818 (3d Cir. 1982) (enforcement of restrictive covenant)
  • Autotote Ltd. v. New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, 85 N.J. 363 (1981) (public contract bid protest)
  • Autotote, Ltd. v. New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, 171 N.J. Super. 480 (App. Div. 1979) (public contract bid protest)
  • Hercules, Inc. v. General Magnetic Tape Co., 180 N.J. Super. 206 (App. Div. 1981) (priority of tax lien)
  • Passavant v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 477 F. Supp. 1200 (D.N.J. 1979) (public contract bid protest)
  • Zimpro, Inc. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 83 F.R.D. 302 (N.D.N.Y. 1979) (public contract bid protest)
  • BSP Div. of Envirotech Corp. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 471 F. Supp. 958 (D.N.J. 1979) (public contract bid protest)
  • Manganaro v. Carney's Point Township Sewerage Authority, 344 N.J. Super 343 (App. Div. 2001) (application of Affidavit of Merit Statute)
  • White Oak Funding, Inc. v. Winning, 341 N.J. Super 294 (App. Div. 2001) (application of New Jersey Spill Act)
  • Gothic Constr. Group v. Port Auth. Trans-Hudson Corp., 312 N.J. Super 1 (App. Div. 1998) (challenge to arbitration clause in public contract)
  • Nachtigall v. New Jersey Turnpike Authority, 302 N.J.- Super 123 (App. Div. 1997) cert. den. 151 N.J. 77 (1997) (public contract bid protest)
  • Grand Cove II Ass'n. v. Ginsberg, 291 N.J. Super. 58 (App. Div. 1996) (dispute involving construction insurance)
  • In Re Thomson McKinnon Secur., Inc., 143 B.R. 612 (Bkrtcy, S.D.N.Y. 1992) (objection to discharge in bankruptcy)
  • Barre-National, Inc. v. Doshi, 1988 U.S. Dist. Lexis 3323 (D.N.J. 1988) (enforcement of competitive restrictions)
  • Gach v. Century Cookies, Inc., 1985 U.S. Dist. Lexis 18938 (S.D.N.Y. 1985) (enforcement of competitive restrictions)

  • Representation of a public school district in a series of litigations arising from construction projects to renovate and expand five schools. The litigations involved claims of non-payment, delays, defective work, wrongful termination, civil rights violations, insurance coverage, surety bonding and bankruptcy law issues. Decisions in the litigations are reported at: 552 Fed. Appx. 110 (3d Circuit 2014); 2013 WL 5337041 (App. Div. 2013); 2013 WL 5975898 (App. Div. 2013); 2012 WL 1079583 (D.N.J. 2012); and 2011 WL 1871110 (D.N.J. 2011). 
  • Representation of a real estate developer in arbitration proceedings in defense of an $85 million claim by a tenant for damages based upon defective construction and construction delays.
  • Representation of an international investment firm in connection with construction of a $200 million ethanol plant. The construction project resulted in disputes and complex arbitration proceedings with the design/build contractor involving lien claims and claims of defective design, defective construction, unforeseen site conditions and project delays.
  • Representation of a real estate developer in defense of a $60 million claim of pervasive construction defects throughout a luxury townhome community.
  • Representation of a lender to an environmentally-sensitive property in litigation with the general contractor and design engineer of an environmental remediation project, involving claims of defective design, defective construction and contractor payment and lien claims. 
  • Representation of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York in litigations arising from public construction projects.

  • Representation of a Fortune 100 company in connection with construction of a new $250 million national headquarters in New York. GT’s representation includes drafting design and construction contracts and addressing project issues as they arise.
  • Representation of an international conglomerate in connection with construction of a $2 billion entertainment and retail complex, water park and amusement park. GT’s representation includes negotiating and drafting all design, construction and supply contracts.
  • Construction counsel to the developer of a 13-story, high-end residential apartment building, in the landmarked Upper East Side district in Manhattan.

Recognition & Leadership

  • Team Member, a Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year," 2023
  • Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law; Litigation – Real Estate; Real Estate Law, 2008-2025
  • Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2020-2023
  • Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Real Estate and Construction – Construction, 2014-2015, 2017-2024
    • "Leading Lawyer," Real Estate - Construction, 2019-2024
  • Team Member, U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, Best Law Firms Edition, "Law Firm of the Year," Real Estate - Litigation, 2017
  • Listed, Top Rated Lawyer in Construction, American Lawyer Media and Martindale Hubbell, 2013
  • Member, Winning Team, New Jersey Law Journal’s "General Litigation Department of the Year" award, 2013
  • Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, New Jersey Super Lawyers, 2007-2012
  • Rated, AV Preeminent® 5.0 out of 5.0

°AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies.

A description of the selection methodology for the above awards can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

  • Member, American Bar Association,  Forum on the Construction Industry, Public Contracts Law Section
  • Member, New Jersey State Bar Association, Construction Law Section

Credentials

Education
  • J.D., New York University School of Law, 1976
  • B.S., The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, 1973
Admissions
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • Supreme Court of New Jersey
  • Supreme Court of New York