NEW YORK, January 2, 2024 — Cozen O'Connor is pleased to announce long-time construction attorney Richard D. Kalson — a 25-plus year industry veteran who has managed a wide range of high profile construction transactions and disputes, nationwide —has joined its award-winning Construction Law Group. Kalson — whose background includes counseling and representing many of the country’s leading contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and project owners — joins the firm as a member and will help further expand its Construction practice in New York City, one of the largest construction markets in the world.
Kalson’s track record includes representing a “who’s who” of construction industry heavyweights — including many of the ENR (Engineering News Record) top 400 contractors and ENR top 600 specialty contractors. His track record includes managing transactions and disputes involving major public infrastructure projects — bridges, airports, highways, schools, prisons, and government buildings — as well as warehouse facilities, medical centers, industrial plants, commercial buildings, and residential developments. When disputes arise, he represents clients in courtrooms across the country and in arbitration.
“When it came to choosing someone to lead and grow our Construction practice in the New York metro area, Rick was the obvious choice. He has more than 25 years’ experience representing some of the largest general contractors in the industry, both as a litigator and in major, construction related financial transactions,” said Bruce W. Ficken, co-chair of the firm’s Construction Law practice. “Further, he brings substantial, long-term relationships with the country’s infrastructure sector, which will contribute greatly to the overall growth of our group. He’s a rock-solid addition, both to our group and our New York office, and I’m thrilled to welcome him to Cozen O’Connor.”
Steeped in construction industry operations and legal concerns, Kalson is a recognized leader in the country’s deep foundations sector. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors (ADSC)–International Association of Foundation Drilling (IAFD) — an organization recognized as a world leader in the research, development, education, design, and construction of drilled shafts, anchored earth retention, and micropiles. He also serves as chair of the organization’s Governance Committee; chair of the Pile Driving Contractors Association’s (PDCA) Contracts and Risk Committee; and vice chair of the Deep Foundations Institute’s Risk Committee.
Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®, from 2022 through 2024, Kalson is a prolific public speaker, presenting at some 40-plus national and regional construction industry conferences annually — as well as to clients and prospective clients at their offices. His topics include new developments in construction law, construction project issues related to contracts, claims liens and bonds, and construction site safety, engineering, and legal concerns.
“I’ve long been familiar with Cozen O’Connor’s construction practice and Bruce and Ray (DeLuca) and I’ve always been impressed with the leadership and vision that they provide as group leaders. They’ve assembled a tight-knit, experienced team, including talented construction lawyers in New York,” Kalson said. “Further, it’s an entrepreneurial firm with a growing North American footprint that offers our group unparalleled legal resources — from contracts and finance to real estate and government relations support — that greatly benefit our construction clients, both here in New York and across the country.”
Kalson earned his J.D. at the University of Minnesota Law School, and his B.A. in history at the University of Wisconsin.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 825 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 32 offices across two continents.
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