Christopher B. Kinzel

Christopher B. Kinzel is a partner in the firm’s New York office. Highly experienced in construction law, Chris focuses his practice on representing construction managers and general contractors in commercial litigation, transactional matters, and providing practical advice and workable commercial strategies for addressing existing problems and avoiding or mitigating new problems going forward.

Chris regularly represents clients in mediation, arbitration and at the trial and appellate levels, involving complex multi-million dollar construction disputes including breach of contract, delay claims, default and termination, nonconforming/incomplete work, payment related claims, mechanic’s liens, and other commercial claims.

On the transactional side, Chris has drafted and negotiated a wide range of construction management agreements, contract documents, subcontracts, close-out agreements, modifications, change orders, contract notices, claim letters, waivers and releases, leases and other commercial contracts with Fortune 500 companies on numerous large-scale construction projects. Chris also has extensive working knowledge of insurance coverage issues, particularly those that concern the construction industry.

Chris also regularly conducts training seminars for clients and is frequently called upon to provide clients with real-time guidance on how best to handle various issues and situations that arise in the field. Prior to joining Peckar & Abramson, Chris served as general counsel and vice president of business development for a prominent, full-service construction company in New York City. This firsthand experience has endowed him with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse challenges and considerations that his clients must negotiate and balance on a daily basis.

Admissions

• State of New York
• United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
• United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York

Education and Courses

• Franklin and Marshall College, B.A.
• New York Law School, J.D.

Practice Areas

• Construction and Infrastructure
• Business Litigation
• Real Estate Law

Awards and Recognitions

• Martindale- Hubbell, AV Preeminent Rated, 2013 – 2022
• American Lawyer Media & Martindale-Hubbell, “New York’s Top Rated Lawyers”, 2019 – 2020
• New York Super Lawyers “Rising Star”, 2013, 2016 – 2017

Publications and Presentations

• “Understanding Carlos’ Law,” ABC Empire State Webinar, August 2022
• “Liquidated Damages: Six Points Contractors Should Understand” Construction Executive, October 2021
•  “Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Guidance For Contractors,” P&A Client Alert, March 2020
•  “New York Appellate Court Weighs in on Notice of Claim Requirements,” The Association of General
• Contractors of America – AGC Law in Brief, Vol. 1, No. 5, November, 2015
• “Dueling Appellate Departments: Differing Interpretations of Prompt Payment Act,” ConcensusDocs
• Construction Law Newsletter, Vol. 1, Issue 4, August, 2015