Tampa, Fla. – May 15, 2019 – Carlton Fields is pleased to announce that construction lawyers Edward Kuchinski and Laura Jo Lieffers have joined the firm. Their hires bolster the firm’s nationally ranked Construction practice, and come after the recent addition of construction attorney Robin H. Leavengood.
“Our construction practice continues to attract high-quality lawyers,” said Wm. Cary Wright, chair of Carlton Fields’ Construction practice. “Ed, who is rejoining the firm, and Laura, expand our roster of experienced litigators, who are handling a steadily increasing volume of construction cases.”
Ed Kuchinski practiced at Carlton Fields from 1996 to 2005 and he has practiced law in Tampa for more than 30 years. As a construction litigator he represents the full spectrum of construction entities, including national homebuilders and general contractors, in all types of construction disputes including mediations, trials, and arbitrations. His trial and arbitration experience includes construction defect claims, delay claims, and other contract disputes. He has also tried cases involving non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, professional negligence, insurance disputes, personal injury, and general commercial litigation.
“I have a number of professional and personal relationships with Carlton Fields attorneys and I’m thrilled to re-join the firm,” said Kuchinski. “The firm’s collaborative culture among its lawyers and with clients is consistent with my own approach, and I’m excited to make a contribution.”
Kuchinski served a co-chair of the Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Construction Law Section from 2016 to 2017. He received his J.D., with honors, from the University of Florida College of Law, and his B.S.B.A., with honors, from University of Florida.
Lieffers holds a professional degree in Architecture and is an Associate Member of the American Institute of Architects. Her practice primarily focuses on construction litigation. She represents architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and owners. She has experience in both traditional architectural practice and remedial design and construction. Lieffers has also handled general liability and complex commercial matters.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Lieffers worked with architectural expert witnesses concentrating on remedial architecture and construction litigation. She uses her legal skills and background in design and construction to advise construction clients throughout the planning and construction processes, while also handling any construction defect claims.
Lieffers earned her J.D., with a concentration in Advocacy, from Stetson University College of Law, where she was honored with the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award. She received her Bachelor of Architecture from Roger Williams University.
About Carlton Fields: Carlton Fields has more than 300 attorneys and government and financial services consultants serving clients from offices in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C. The firm is known for its national litigation practice, including class action defense, trial practice, white-collar representation, and high-stakes appeals; its insurance practice, including life and financial lines, property and casualty, reinsurance, and title insurance; its regulatory practice; and its handling of sophisticated business transactions and corporate counseling for domestic and international clients. For additional information, visit www.carltonfields.com. (Carlton Fields practices law in California through Carlton Fields, LLP.)
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