OVERVIEW
Craig O’Neill has over 25 years of experience handling construction and surety and other commercial litigation matters. As co-chair of the firm’s Construction and Surety Practice Group, Craig leads a talented group of lawyers who represent owners, general contractors, subcontractors, building component manufacturers, architectural and engineering firms and insurance and surety companies in construction/surety-related matters including:
- construction management and project administration;
- construction defect litigation;
- delay and disruption claims;
- breach of contract claims;
- mechanic’s lien claims;
- surety bond claims;
- surety indemnity claims; and
- all other forms of construction/surety-related litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution.
Craig also regularly drafts and negotiates construction agreements and advises clients on construction contract management and administrative issues. His extensive knowledge of the contractual rights and obligations of the various parties involved in a project helps him to quickly identify and problem solve issues when they develop during the project.
Craig also counsels insurance company clients on complex coverage issues under general liability policies and other lines of coverage. He has extensive experience representing insurers in coverage litigation involving environmental pollution, asbestos and other hazardous substances, and construction defect claims. His broad litigation experience helps him to examine and understand issues from multiple vantage points.
Recognition and Involvement
Recognition & Involvement
Craig serves on the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Surety Claims Association. He has volunteered as a “Big Brother” for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America and also volunteers regularly at clinics held by the Senior Law Center to assist seniors in the preparation of life planning documents including simple wills and powers of attorney.
Credentials
Bar and Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Education
Villanova University School of Law, JD, 1999
State University of New York - College at Oswego, BS, 1996
News & Insights
Memberships
American Bar Association
National Bond Claims Association
Philadelphia Surety Claims Association
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Represented subcontractor in multifaceted litigation in Pennsylvania state court involving delays and construction issues on a 50-plus story dual branded hotel
- Represented hospital in major litigation in Pennsylvania state court involving delays and construction issues involving the design and construction of a new multistory medical center
- Obtained summary judgment in federal court in favor of surety client in regard to indemnity claims arising out of a botched construction project for a minor league baseball stadium in Hartford, Connecticut
- Successfully dismissed Mechanics’ Lien Claim on preliminary objections on behalf of project owner client due to claimant’s failure to conform to the requirements of the lien statute
- Represented general contractor and its payment bond surety on a multi-million dollar Miller Act claim brought by a subcontractor involving claims for breach of contract and delay damages arising from a federal dam project on the Colorado River
- Drafted and negotiated AIA construction contracts on behalf of a national fitness center franchise, a large Philadelphia co-op apartment building and dozens of other owners, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals
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Represented insurers on complex, long-tail environmental and toxic tort insurance coverage actions in state courts and federal courts throughout the country
- Represented subcontractor’s performance bond surety on claims brought by the general contractor alleging breach of contract and defective work in connection with the construction of a multi-unit apartment complex
- Represented excess insurer in a coverage dispute arising from the asbestos liabilities of a furnace manufacturer
- Represented architect and engineering firm at a compulsory arbitration resulting in a defense verdict on claims of professional negligence and breach of contract
- Prepared and successfully argued a motion for summary judgment on behalf of an engineering firm in a Pennsylvania state court action involving professional liability claims