Joseph Barra

Practice Areas

Construction

Health Care and Pharmaceutical

Dispute Resolution

Contract Procurement and Project Delivery

Energy and Utilities

Surety and Fidelity

Education

Infrastructure

Construction Dispute Resolution

Career

With skills gained in his first career as a civil engineer, Joe has represented clients in the construction industry for over 25 years. He advises his clients on issues such as design and construction flaws and delays, funding disputes, certification hearings, and violations involving the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Joe’s practice includes clients from all areas of the design and construction industry:

public and private owners, and developers

design professionals

general contractors; construction managers; subcontractors; material suppliers; engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors; design-builders; and MBE/WBE/DBE contractors

sureties and construction lenders

Contract Procurement and Project Delivery

Joe has a thorough understanding of transactional matters involving the design and construction of the following:

hospitals

shopping malls and retail

highways and airports

condominiums and residential

utilities (water, gas, electric, fiber optic, and sewer)

primary and secondary schools, and universities

wastewater facilities, water and scavenger waste treatment facilities, and waste-to-energy facilities

landfill gas-to-energy facilities, gas-fired electrical power plants, hydroelectric dams, onshore and offshore natural gas pipelines, and electric substations

He is well versed in negotiating complex design, construction, and project management-related agreements. He also understands the complexities of public-private partnerships (P3), and assists clients from financing through operation on P3 projects.

Dispute Resolution

When disputes do arise, Joe works jointly with his clients to pinpoint problems and issues, determine the best route forward, and offer solutions to strengthen the client’s business position. He is also a long-standing member of American Arbitration Association’s (AAA) National Panel of Construction Neutrals, so he approaches disputes with his experience as a seasoned arbitrator. He has served as an advocate in many arbitrations, mediations, and trials.

Professional Memberships

Construction Management Association of America, National Board of Directors

Construction Management Association of America, New England Chapter, Board of Directors

Design-Build Institute of America, New England Region, Board of Directors

Massachusetts Building Congress, Board of Directors

Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers, Past Director and Secretary

Associated General Contractors of America, Massachusetts Chapter, Past Director

American Society of Civil Engineers

American Arbitration Association, National Panel of Construction Neutrals

Wentworth Institute of Technology, Adjunct Professor of Construction Law (2022 - Current)

Publications

"Massachusetts Prompt Payment Statute means what it says," published by the Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts in its ASM Updates. (6/14/2022)

"Are You on the Hook for a Busted Budget?" co-authored with Niel P. Franzese, published in PE, the flagship publication of the National Society of Professional Engineers (Summer 2021)

"COVID’S Impact on the Designer’s Standard of Care," co-authored with Niel P. Franzese, published in PE, the flagship publication of the National Society of Professional Engineers (Winter 2021)

Awards