Joseph L. Katz
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney in Columbia, MD
Columbia, MD 21044
- Construction Litigation: Business (60%),
- Government Contracts (30%),
- Business Litigation (10%)
The founder of Katz Law, LLC, Joseph L. Katz focuses his practice primarily on various aspects of construction law. With offices in Bethesda and Columbia, Maryland, he represents clients throughout the state and in the District of Columbia. Admitted to practice before all Maryland state courts since 2005, Mr. Katz is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He has also appeared before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.
A portion of Mr. Katz's client base consists of developers, contractors and subcontractors, and he has substantial experience in the negotiation, preparation and review of construction contracts and subcontracts. Many of his clients do business with local, state and federal governments, and he has worked on bid protests and claims for equitable adjustment. A forceful courtroom advocate for his clients when litigation is necessary, Mr. Katz has handled cases involving mechanic's liens, payment bonds and job site interference.
Mr. Katz has several nonconstruction clients as well, and much of his litigation experience on their behalf has revolved around partner and shareholder disputes in closely held and family businesses. His exceptional track record in all of his professional endeavors has earned him the respect of his colleagues, as evidenced by his receipt of a "Superb" peer review rating through Avvo.
Mr. Katz is a member of several professional organizations, including the Maryland State Bar Association, the American Subcontractors Association of Metro Washington, and the Eastern Chapter of the Western Dredging Association. He is a 2005 honors graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law.
- 60%Construction Litigation
- 30%Government Contracts
- 10%Business Litigation
Selections
Rising Stars: 2016 - 2020
To: Joseph L. Katz
Super Lawyers: Potential Client Inquiry
Additional Sources of Information About Joseph L. Katz
About Joseph Katz
Admitted: 2005, Maryland
Professional Webpage: https://www.joekatzlaw.com/about.html
Honors/Awards:
- Maryland Super Lawyer, Rising Star, Construction Litigation, 2016 - 2019
Bar/Professional Activity:
- United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- United States Court of Federal Claims
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
- United States District Court for the District of Colorado
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- State of Maryland
- American Bar Association, Construction Litigation Committee
- Prince George's County Bar Association
- Montgomery County Bar Association
- Maryland State Bar Association, Construction Law Section
- Western Dredging Association, Eastern Chapter
- Speaker at Construction Specifications Institute Dinner, Washington Chapter, 2018
- Associated Builders & Contractors, Baltimore Metro Chapter, Young Leaders Committee, 2016
- Speaker at American Subcontractors Association, Metro Washington Dinner, 2018
- Speaker at Western Dredging Association Expo, 2019
- Professional's Council, American Subcontractors Association, Metro Washington branch, 2018
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Presented a webinar on behalf of the national American Subcontractor's Association on change order best practices, Webinar Presenter, Change Orders in the Construction Industry, American Subcontractors Association, 2018
Verdicts/Settlements:
- Achieved dismissal of individuals sued in their personal capacity for alleged wrongs of a corporate home improvement company, 2017
- Achieved summary judgment in my client's favor of all claims - approximately 8 total - against my client, both corporate and individually, in a real estate defect case, 2019
- Achieved verdict of entitlement from Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals in multi-million dollar litigation, 2018
- Achieved 100% collection of substantial judgment due subcontractor, plus interest and attorney's fees, in less than 6 months through various garnishment proceedings, 2016
- Guided minority business contractor through the graduation process, as set forth under state and federal law, 2017
- Litigated and defended on appeal an $800,000 mechanic's lien claim, 2016
- Collected over $300,000 in long-outstanding a/r for equipment supplier in the course of five months without the need to file suit, saving the client significant attorney's fees, 2016
Newsletters:
- At its core, a contract is a relationship, and accordingly, a better relationship will generate a better contract. I urge my clients to find shared value, and to embody the negotiation truth that the best way to get what you want, is to help the other side get what they want, The Art of Negotiation, Construction
- Master the Change Order "DANS": Document the situation giving rise to the change, Agree on the amount, or at minimum be sure to quote an amount for the changed work, provide Notice of the change and the associated cost, and ultimately, Sign for the change, even if electronically through email or text exchanges, The Change Order Dance, Construction
- There are three distinct stages of a construction project, each with their own set of crucial documentation requirements. Make sure you know what documentation is required and advisable in each stage, The Three Stages of Construction Documentation, Construction
- Setting the record straight regarding 4 myths I often encounter in my practice. Essentially, email does matter and it can be legally binding, there are other steps to take even when an owner has not paid for a subcontractor's construction work, "boiler-plate" contracts can be negotiated, and a "partial" release is often far more dangerous then it seems!, Legal Mythbusters, Construction
Industry Groups
- General Contractors
- Material & Equipment Suppliers
- Subcontractors
Joseph L. Katz:
Last Updated: 1/7/2020