Adam J. Paterno

Adam J. Paterno is a construction law attorney in Holland & Knight's New York office whose practice is national in scope. Mr. Paterno frequently represents owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, construction managers and design professionals across the United States in contract drafting and negotiations.

From the Santiago Calatrava-designed St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at the World Trade Center campus to the redevelopment of Penn Station in New York City, Mr. Paterno has gained significant experience representing an array of large public and private institutions on some of the most notable projects in the construction industry.

Mr. Paterno routinely serves as project counsel to domestic and foreign governments, as well as profit and not-for-profit corporations. In his practice, he regularly advises clients during all stages of construction – from project conception to closeout – and frequently drafts and negotiates architecture and engineering, construction management, project development, system commissioning, equipment purchase, license and access agreements, and contracts addressing the general operation and functioning of large facilities.

Mr. Paterno also has experience with streetscape, multifamily and oil recovery projects. He assisted a large New York-based medical center in the drafting and negotiation of a wide range of critical agreements that were needed in the wake of a $1 billion loss the institution suffered after Hurricane Sandy and is involved in the center's expansion and redevelopment efforts throughout New York, Florida and Nevada. Currently, he is involved in drafting and negotiating agreements required for the redevelopment of the home of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square, as well as a 2 million-square-foot, mixed-use megaproject in West Palm Beach, Florida, and one of New York's most iconic hotels and condominiums. Additionally, Mr. Paterno is assisting a well-known museum in connection with its expansion efforts, a foreign government with its embassy redevelopment in Washington, D.C., and a world-renowned house of worship with its ongoing facility upgrades and renovation projects.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Paterno speaks on various topics in construction law and gives continuing education seminars to architects and engineers. He has been recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business guide, a Rising Star in New York by Super Lawyers magazine and a Next Generation Partner by The Legal 500 USA. In addition, he was previously recognized nationally as one of only four construction law attorneys to be honored as a Law360 Rising Star and named to its list of top attorneys "whose legal accomplishments transcend their age."

Prior to and during law school, Mr. Paterno worked in radio, television and publishing, holding positions at several major media corporations. During such time, he had the opportunity to work with many notable individuals, including White House Deputy Chief of Staff Michael Deaver, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Author Elmore Leonard, Journalist Cokie Roberts and University of Chicago Economist Steven D. Levitt.

While in law school, Mr. Paterno interned for the Honorable Julianne S. Eisman of the Nassau County Family Court and in the legal division of Bloomberg L.P. He was a member of the Hofstra Moot Court Association, a finalist in the Nassau Academy of Law Moot Court Competition, awarded Best Direct Examination in the 2006 American Trial Lawyers Association Intra-School Trial Competition, and achieved the highest grade in his Litigation and Drafting Skills and Insurance courses, respectively.

Mr. Paterno completed the National Institute for Trial Advocacy Trial Skills program and served as an evaluator for the American Bar Association's (ABA) Student Trial Advocacy program at Fordham Law School. He is authorized by the New York State Court System to serve as a volunteer mediator and maintains New York State property and casualty insurance and real estate broker licenses. Mr. Paterno recently served as co-chair of Holland & Knight's first small and emerging business networking event for its New York office and currently serves on the hiring committee. An avid proponent of mentoring young and aspiring lawyers, Mr. Paterno recently completed an eight-year term as chair of the summer associate program for the New York office and serves in a variety of mentorship capacities.