COMMERCIAL & REAL ESTATE LITIGATION
CHIEF Eric Rundbaken
DEPUTIES Jonathan Becker, Nancy Brodie
The Commercial & Real Estate Litigation Division represents the City and related entities in litigation involving diverse
contract and real estate matters, ranging from contracts with private companies to build the City’s infrastructure to
leases of important public properties. Many of these disputes are highly visible, with millions of dollars at stake.
Bronx County Hall of Justice Litigation
This massive ongoing action involves 37 construction companies, subcontractors, and consultants with claims of over $300 million
based on project delays, disputed extra work, and defective work in connection with the construction of a new courthouse in the
Bronx. It is among the largest cases ever handled by the Division.
Defending a Challenge to Project Labor Agreements
The Division is defending against a challenge to the City’s use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and the associated decision
not to award construction contracts for each project to multiple contractors, as State law requires absent a PLA. A victory would
allow for significant savings to the City on many construction projects; a loss would mean that future projects would be subject to
numerous bidder requirements—imposing upon the City approximately $180 million in contracting costs through Fiscal Year 2014.
Newtown Creek Water Pollution Control Plant Case
The Division is defending the City against claims for damages related to the reconstruction and renovation of the Newtown Creek
Water Pollution Control Plant. The general contractor and the plumbing contractor have asserted claims in excess of $160 million
against the City, alleging that the project h ???????????????????????????????????????
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