NEW YORK (January 29, 2018) – Zetlin & De Chiara LLP today announced that Elissa Rossi has joined the firm as an Associate Principal and Chengdong (C.D.) Xing and Anthony Riverso have joined as law clerks.


“We are extremely fortunate to have Elissa, C.D. and Anthony join us as we embark on 2018. They
will undoubtedly strengthen our team with their unique perspectives and experience,” said Michael
Vardaro, Managing Partner of Zetlin & De Chiara.


Elissa most recently served as an Executive Director at the Department of Housing Preservation and
Development, where she established a new unit within the agency to enforce compliance with
property tax exemption and affordable housing laws. She also worked as an Assistant Attorney
General in the Enforcement Section at the Office of the Attorney General in the Real Estate Finance
Bureau. Additionally, she has experience as both a litigation and contract attorney in a broad array
of practice areas.


Elissa graduated with a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and a B.A. in Economics from
the University of Pennsylvania.


C.D. served as Legal Counsel for China State Construction Engineering Corp. Ltd (CSCEC) from 2011-2016, advising infrastructure, real estate, and construction projects, coordinating mergers and
acquisitions, negotiating disputes, and dealing with construction litigations and arbitrations. His
projects included a bridge-and-tunnel P3, Hangzhou International EXPO Center, Shanghai Pudong
Huinan Affordable Public Housing Development and successful outcomes in cases involving multimillion-dollar alternative dispute resolution, arbitration and litigation.


A graduate of East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai, C.D. earned an LL.M.
from New York University Law School in 2017, majoring in international dispute resolution and
cross-border transaction. His practice will focus on complex construction disputes and contractual
matters. C.D. is fluent in Mandarin, Shanghainese and English.


A recent graduate, Anthony holds both a J.D. and an MBA in Finance from Fordham University. He
has been published twice by New York Law Journal with articles entitled “Priority of Insurance in
Construction Accidents” and “Proper Objections at a Personal Injury Deposition.”


Anthony also holds a B.A. in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University.


About Zetlin & De Chiara LLP
Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, a leading construction law firm, provides sophisticated legal counsel and business advice to real estate owners, developers, institutions, design professionals, contractors, and other parties involved in construction projects in the United States. Many of its attorneys have direct
experience with construction and design issues through their work as in-house construction counsel,
education and training as architects and engineers, and by earning LEED accreditation. The firm provides counsel throughout the planning, design, and construction process — from drafting and negotiating contracts to advising on risk management strategies. Zetlin & De Chiara represents clients in litigation and alternative dispute resolution, and also advises on business formation, licensing and corporate issues.


Media Contacts:
Andrea K. Stimmel - Zetlin & De Chiara LLP
[email protected]
Kaitlin Lewis and Ilyse Fink-- LAK Public Relations, Inc.
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