Lori Wisniewski Azzara

Partner

Pittsburgh, Louisville
lazzara@cohenseglias.com
412.227.5944

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.

Overview

Lori represents owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, architects, and engineers in construction and commercial litigation matters. Her clients span across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky and work on both private and public projects. Lori handles contract negotiation, claims for delay and inefficiency, mechanics’ liens, and all types of contractual disputes. She represents clients in various state and federal courts, arbitration and mediation proceedings, and before administrative agencies.

As a member of the firm’s Green Building and Sustainability Group, Lori counsels clients on avoiding and resolving issues that commonly arise on green construction projects, including those relating to certification. She currently serves as Chair of Pittsburgh Green Building Alliance’s Board of Directors and is actively involved in all of the Alliance’s programs and initiatives.

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

Capabilities

Construction
Green Building

Education

Duquesne University School of Law, J.D.
Shippensburg University, B.S. summa cum laude

Admissions

Pennsylvania
West Virginia
Ohio
Kentucky
U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia
U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Associations

Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA) – Construction Law Section (Treasurer), Civil Litigation Section, and Women in Law Division
Master Builders’ Association of Western PA (MBA)
Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) – House of Delegates
Pittsburgh Green Building Alliance (GBA) – Chair of Board of Directors