Carol J Patterson

Career

Carol J. Patterson, Senior Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, is a broadly experienced construction industry litigator and transactional attorney who advises clients on complex litigations, contracts and risk management strategies. Owners, developers, engineers, architects, construction managers, contractors and investors seek Ms. Patterson’s counsel on general business matters relating to construction ventures and specific project issues. Prominent national and international firms have consulted her on matters relating to the design and construction of major projects in the technology, financial, educational, justice, healthcare, pharmaceutical, hospitality, civic, infrastructure, and cultural sectors.

Ms. Patterson is known for developing comprehensive legal road maps for her clients, anticipating and addressing issues, outcomes and consequences that could affect a project or company’s desired outcome. A creative advocate with a background in international relations, she excels at structuring agreements that enable her clients to advance their key business and project goals. Her work also focuses on crafting solutions to defuse situations that could become litigious. In a career of over 25 years, she has skillfully negotiated hundreds of millions of dollars in claims, settlements and contracts throughout the United States and abroad.

In New York, she has been involved in high profile projects including the modernization of Lincoln Center, the Jacob Javits Center, the Museum of Modern Art and new buildings at Hudson Yards. She also has extensive experience consulting on residential and commercial development, design and construction.

She frequently speaks and writes on topics of interest to the Real Estate and Construction Industries and has lectured at the New York University Real Estate Institute, Columbia University School of Engineering and Polytechnic University. Ms. Patterson was an editor of Construction Law, the widely used textbook, published by the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry, that provides a comprehensive introduction to the construction industry and the laws that govern it.

Ms. Patterson is an engaged member of the professional community who supports opportunities for women interested in the real estate and construction industry. She previously served on the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law and served as Chair of the Forum’s Publications Committee and its Diversity Committee. Ms. Patterson was a Fellow of the American College of Construction and served on its Board of Governors. She is also a past president of the Associate of Real Estate Women (now the New York City Chapter of CREW). She serves as General Counsel to the Metropolitan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers and is affiliated with the American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute, and New York Building Congress. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Salvadori Center, an organization that partners with public schools to provide exciting STEAM programs to allow students to explore exciting educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and related fields.

She has garnered recognition for her contributions to the Real Estate and Building communities. Just recently, The National Law Journal named her a Real Estate/Construction Law Trailblazer for her illustrious career and her work as the lead editor of the ABA publication, Construction Law, 2nd edition. Commercial Observer presented her with a Barrier Breaker Award for her leadership and outstanding career. She was similarly recognized by the Real Estate Forum Magazine as a Woman of Influence, by the Real Estate Weekly as a Women Real Estate Leader of the 21st Century, and as a Chambers USA Leading Lawyer. Ms. Patterson was also recognized by Super Lawyers and as an Outstanding Woman by the Women Builders Council. She received the Founder's Award by the Association of Real Estate Women and was selected as one of the Top 50 Women in Real Estate.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association - Chair, Diversity Committee; former Governing Committee Member, Forum on the Construction Industry; former Chair, Publications Committee

American Society of Civil Engineers, Metropolitan Section - General Counsel

American Institute of Architects, New York City - Affiliate Member

Association of Real Estate Women, New York - Past President

New York Building Congress

New York City Bar Association

New York State Bar Association

Urban Land Institute, New York

Education