Walter G. Breakell

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“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.” Tommy Lasorda

Mr. Breakell concentrates his areas of practice on construction issues such as contract review, performance disputes, delay claims, disputed and extra work issues, changed conditions, OSHA and Labor Law matters, Payment Bond claims, Mechanics Liens and when necessary, Mediation, Arbitration and Litigation of those issues. His practice areas also regularly focus on business transactions involving business acquisitions and transfers, successorship issues, major commercial transactions, litigating commercial disputes and LEED contract issues.

Mr. Breakell’s deep knowledge and insight of the construction industry provides him with the unique ability to get two divergent parties communicating in an effort to resolve their particular disputes without the necessity of a time consuming and costly litigation.

As a practitioner for over 30 years, Mr. Breakell has extensive experience in arbitrating disputes as well as litigating matters in the Federal and State Courts as well as the Government Board of Contract Appeals. He is also a member of many professional organizations including the New York State Bar Association, Florida State Bar Association, the Construction Law Division and Litigation Division of the American Bar Association and is Counsel to the New York State Concrete Masonry Association. He is a member and frequent lecturer on Construction Law for the Northeastern Subcontractors Association, Associated Builders & Contractors and Eastern Contractors Association.

He has been a member of the Upstate New York Construction Industry Advisory Counsel and lecturer for the American Arbitration Association. He is a mediator for Construction and Commercial disputes and is currently an active Arbitrator on the National Panel of Commercial and Construction Mediators and Arbitrators and has served on panels adjudicating Disputes between International parties. Mr. Breakell is also a certified Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association Large & Complex Construction Dispute Case Program.

As Principal of the law firm, Mr. Breakell has led the firm in participating in the support of several local organizations and charities, including St. Peters Hospital Breast Center, Capital District Regional Food Bank and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Education

  • SUNY Buffalo School of Law, JD 1977
  • SUNY Buffalo, BA 1974

Admitted to Practice

  • New York State – 1978
  • State of Florida – 1980
  • New York Federal District Courts
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of New York