Jonathan Ciriello

Jonathan M. Ciriello is an experienced commercial litigator focusing his practice on construction law. He counsels and represents project owners and developers, contractors, and design professionals in all stages of construction projects, including contract formation/negotiations, project management, pre-suit investigation of potential claims, and litigation of claims.

Jon has litigated a wide range of claims from traditional breach of contract actions to extracontractual claims, insurance-related claims, and mechanics’ lien claims on some of the largest projects in the United States, including in federal and state courts.

In addition to his construction law practice, Jon also represents clients of the firm’s life insurance and annuities group litigating claims involving bad faith, lapses, cost of insurance and premium changes, and STOLI/secondary market issues.

Jon also serves the Philadelphia community through his pro bono work, working with the Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program (VIP) serving most recently as counsel to a family in a dispute with a private commercial lender regarding a student loan.

Jon earned his undergraduate degree from Hamilton College where he was a two-year captain of the varsity men’s basketball team. Jon then earned his law degree, cum laude, from Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law. While earning his law degree, Jon was a judicial intern to The Honorable Michael M. Baylson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

EXPERIENCE :

• Secured a favorable settlement at mediation, after substantial litigation, on behalf of a property owner in a matter centered on improper underpinning performed by contractors on a project, resulting in a partial collapse of an adjacent structure in West Philadelphia. The representation involved both defending claims filed by the adjacent property owner and prosecuting claims against the responsible contractors.
• Negotiated a favorable settlement, after substantial litigation, on behalf of a developer who was sued by a homeowners’ association for alleged construction defects, delays, and regulatory non-compliance relating to the construction of a 50+ unit residential housing development in a Philadelphia suburb.
• Secured a favorable settlement at mediation, after substantial litigation, on behalf of a general contractor facing claims by a property owner for construction defects, delays, and change order disputes relating to the construction of a veterinary hospital in Philadelphia.
• Secured a favorable settlement at mediation, after substantial litigation, on behalf of a general contractor facing claims by a property owner for construction defects, delays, and change order disputes relating to the construction of a veterinary hospital in Philadelphia.
• Negotiated and drafted agreements with various contractors on behalf of a construction industry client, and advised on regulatory compliance relating to the construction of a multi-million dollar waste water treatment system in North Carolina.

EDUCATION :

• Villanova University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2014
• Hamilton College, B.A., 2011

BAR ADMISSIONS : New Jersey; Pennsylvania

COURT ADMISSIONS :

• U.S. District Court — Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court — Middle District of Pennsylvania

AFFILIATIONS :

• Philadelphia Youth Basketball “PYB,” Member
• NextGen, Committee Member
• Pennsylvania Bar Association, Member
• New Jersey Bar Association, Member
• Philadelphia County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division