Lori Wisniewski Azzara
- Pittsburgh, Louisville
- lazzara@cohenseglias.com
- 412.227.5944
“The best attorney I have ever worked with. Lori has an excellent temperament and an intuitive understanding of what we expect.”
– Chambers USA 2023 client feedback
- 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.
Lori is a seasoned construction and commercial litigator who represents 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 her strategic counsel throughout every phase of a project, from contract negotiations and up-front risk management to practical, solution-oriented advice during execution.
In her trial and dispute resolution practice, Lori regularly prosecutes and defends complex construction claims in mediations, arbitrations and state and federal courts. Her experience spans issues involving differing site conditions, delays, disruptions, inefficiencies, breaches of contract and the filing and enforcement of mechanic’s liens.
Lori also assists clients in obtaining certification as a Minority or Woman Business Enterprise at both the state and federal levels.
As an active leader in the construction industry, Lori was part of the inaugural cohort of NEXTWomen, a year-long leadership program dedicated to advancing women leaders in the construction industry. She has served as Chair of the Construction Law Section of the Allegheny County Bar Association and Chair of Board of Directors for the Pittsburgh Green Building Alliance.
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 a former Chair of the Women’s Initiative and current member of the firm’s Board of Directors, Lori promotes the professional growth and advancement of women at the firm.
- Duquesne University School of Law, J.D.
- Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, B.S. summa cum laude
- 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
