Construction
3 Ranked Lawyers
Firm PROFILE
DFL Legal
USA 2026
Rankings
Leading firm in USA 2026
Ranked Department
Ranked Department
Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
Top figures
1
Offices
20
Company Size
2010
Established Year
Content provided by DFL Legal
Overview
Provided by DFL Legal
DFL Legal is a Pittsburgh-based boutique construction law firm founded in 2010 by former partners of a major international firm. Our trial-tested team handles complex construction disputes, international arbitrations (ICC, ICDR, AAA, UNCITRAL), insurance coverage disputes, contract drafting and negotiation, e-discovery, and commercial litigation. We represent owners, contractors, and engineers on infrastructure, oil & gas, power, and industrial projects across the U.S. and internationally.
Industry sectors (10)
- Construction
- Oil and Gas
- Energy
- Transportation & Infrastructure
- Insurance (Policyholder)
- Hospitality & Hotels
- Chemical & Petrochemical
- Manufacturing
- Environmental
- Public Projects
Capabilities (11)
- Construction Litigation
- International Arbitration
- Domestic Arbitration
- Insurance Coverage (Policyholder)
- Construction Contract Drafting, Negotiating and Counseling
- Construction Project Counseling
- eDiscovery and Data Management
- Cross-border Dispute Resolution & International Discovery
- Surety, Bond & Lien Claims
- Delay, Disruption & Schedule Claims
- Public Procurement & Government Contract Disputes
Clients (10)
- Matrix North American Construction, Inc.
- Seattle Tunnel Partners
- ATI, Inc.
- Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
- John Hardy Group, Inc.
- Pyrotek, Inc.
- FlatironDragados
- PPG
- Bonatti
- EllisDon
Key people
Provided by DFL Legal
Brian R. Davidson
Managing Partner
Joseph L. Luciana, III
Partner
R.J. Chleboski, Jr.
Partner
James S. Malloy
Partner
Samantha L. Brutout
Partner
John P. Miller
Partner
John R. Dingess
Senior Counsel
Work & experience
Provided by DFL Legal
Our philosophy: big-firm and big-case experience with boutique efficiency and agility. In 2024 alone, we recovered over $500 million for clients through jury trials and domestic and international arbitrations. Recent standout work includes a $1.5 billion ICC pipeline arbitration resolved favorably, a $200M+ high-speed rail arbitration award, recovery of $150M in construction insurance coverage for billion-dollar tunneling project, and a $17 million ICC arbitration award in our client's favor.
Notable work
Provided by DFL Legal
Construction Wrongful Termination Trial
2023Completed $16.8M
Represented general contractor in federal court wrongful termination dispute, winning $16.8M jury verdict at trial.
Tunnel Boring Machine Damage Litigation
2024Completed $500.0M
Represented joint venture in $500M+ TBM damage claims on major tunnel project, including three-month jury trial.
Rail Yard Abandonment & Surety Dispute
2026Ongoing $213.0M
Representing public transit authority in $213M rail yard project dispute set for trial in 2027.
Ranked Offices at DFL Legal
Provided by DFL Legal
Ranked Departments at DFL Legal (1)
Ranked Individuals at DFL Legal (3)
Pennsylvania
John Dingess
Construction
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John Miller
Construction
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Brian R. Davidson
Head of Construction
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Top figures
1
Offices
20
Company Size
2010
Established Year
Content provided by DFL Legal
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