Profession

Attorney; Professional Engineer

Work History

Owner, John E. Lippl P.E., Attorney at Law, 2001-present, 1995-97; Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy Seabees (Iraq), 2008-09 ; Senior Counsel, Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman, 2003-04; Lieutenant, U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps (Iraq), 2003-04; Senior Attorney, Buchanan Ingersoll P.C., 1998-2001; Lieutenant, U.S. Navy Seabees (Spain), 2000; General Counsel/Project Manager, The Cowper Construction Company, Inc., 1998; Attorney, Burns, White & Hickton, 1997-98; Attorney, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, 1991-95; Summer Associate, Vinson & Elkins, Houston, TX, 1990; Summer Associate, Haynes & Boone, Dallas, TX, 1990; Summer Associate, Baker Worthington, Knoxville, TN 1989; Project Manager, McDevitt & Street Co. (now Bovis Lend Lease), 1987-88; Project Manager, Rentenbach Constructors, 1985-87.

Experience

Attorney and licensed professional engineer (civil/structural) with extensive construction law, project management and contingency construction experience. Experience with the legal and technical aspects of design, scheduling, permitting, soils, sitework, foundation, concrete, framing, sheathing, brick, stone, mold, water damage, roofing, finish, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, building code, compliance, contract issues, change orders, delay and mechanics’ liens. Since 1991, has been employed primarily as an attorney focusing on the legal aspects of construction, engineering, and architecture. Construction practice involves arbitration and litigation related to public and private commercial, residential, heavy/highway, industrial, and institutional projects ranging in value from $20,000 to $400 million. Prior to law school, employed as a project engineer for two ENR top 100 contractors. As project manager, supervised the construction and/or renovation of high- and low-rise motels and hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, light industrial, office buildings, schools, restaurants, retail centers and single-family residential dwellings. Projects ranged in value from $500,000 to $13 million. Continues to use construction skills as a civil engineer in the Naval Reserve.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Experience

Experienced industrial, commercial, high end residential and fast track construction arbitrator on matters involving construction defects and delays including, but not limited to, design, scheduling, permitting, soils, utilities, sitework, foundation, concrete, framing, sheathing, brick, stone, mold, water damage, roofing, finish, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, building code, compliance and contract issues. Arbitrated claims from thousands to multi-millions.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Training

AAA Protecting Your Award from Appellate Challenge, 2016; AAA Avoiding Ten Common Missteps Arbitrators Make (ACE010), 2015; AAA Conducting Research & Investigations: The Arbitrator’s Authority;(Ace 09) 2014; U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Mediation Training 2014; AAA Essential Skills for the New Mediator, 2013; AAA Maximizing Efficiency & Economy in Arbitration: Challenges at the Preliminary Hearing, 2011; AAA Dealing With Delay Tactics in Arbitration, 2010; AAA Construction Conference: Maximizing ADR Advocacy for Today’s Economy, 2009; AAA Arbitration Roadmap: The Standard for Efficient and Cost Effective Arbitration, 2007; AAA Construction Arbitrator II Training: Advanced Case Management Issues, 2006; AAA Arbitrator I Training: Fundamentals of the Arbitration Process, 2005.

Professional Licenses

Admitted to the Bar: Pennsylvania, 1991; North Carolina, 1998 (inactive). Professional Engineer, Pennsylvania (#PE 057655), 2000.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel Memberships

Roster of Neutrals, American Arbitration Association; Roster of Neutrals, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Professional Associations

Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers; Allegheny County Bar Association; Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania; American Society of Civil Engineers.

Education

Pennsylvania State University (BS, Civil Engineering-1985); University of Tennessee (JD-1991).

Publications and Speaking Engagements

Speaker and author, “Managing Engineering Risk” for Half Moon Seminars, 2016; Speaker and author, “Law of Engineering Malpractice” and “Rules and Regulations on Professional Engineering Practice” for Half Moon Seminars, 2014; Speaker and author, “Legal Issues for Professional Engineers – Overview of Contract Law for Engineers,” for Blue Moon Seminars, 2009 and 2010; Presenter, “Legal Issues in Construction, Restoration & Renovation,” Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show, 2003; Speaker and author, “Advanced Construction Law in Pennsylvania – Defects in Performance,” for NBI, Inc., 2003; Speaker and author, “Advanced Construction Law in Pennsylvania – Extras and Changes,” for NBI, Inc., 2003; Speaker and author, “Pennsylvania Construction Law – What do you do when the contract is changed?” for NBI, Inc., 2003; Speaker and author, “Mechanics’ Lien Law and Strategies in Pennsylvania – Construction Contracts and Mechanics’ Liens,” for NBI, Inc., 2002; Speaker, “Legal Issues in Restoration & Renovation,” for the RESTORE MEDIA LLC Restoration & Renovation Exhibition and Conference at various times since 2001 in New Orleans, Chicago, Baltimore and Boston; Speaker and author, “Pennsylvania Construction Law – What do you do with a defective bid?” for NBI, Inc., 2001; Presenter, “Construction Law,” PAHRA Conference.