Mary Jo B Gilsdorf

Takes practical experience about the construction industry and applies legal knowledge to her practice in Arbitration, Mediation and Construction Law. Active in all aspects of the Construction Industry since 1997 on projects ranging from $ 100K to $ 300MM in value. Projects included commercial buildings, hospitals, hotels, offices, residential buildings and condominiums, sports complexes, performing arts centers, garage, retail and warehouse facilities involving new construction and renovation. Began as a generalist in a small construction firm performing duties as a contract administrator, assistant project manager and general assistant for estimating, field supervision and safety in small construction company. Progressed to become a cost engineer analyzing entitlement and value of change order requests from subcontractors to achieve resolution of claims and then took on the lead legal role as the sole in-house counsel for a major regional construction management firm in the Philadelphia market. Has handled over 50 Arbitrations and over 50 mediations,

Arbitration & Mediation

Business - Arbitration/Mediation, Consumer - Arbitration/Mediation, Family - Arbitration/Mediation

Construction Law

Construction Contracts, Construction Defects, Construction Liens, Construction Litigation

Real Estate Law

Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law

• Free Consultation
  Half Hour; After $ 100. per one hour maximum
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Available on hourly basis, per diem basis for hearings, and through retainer agreement.

District of Columbia

Since 1991

New Jersey

Since 1989

Pennsylvania

Since 1989

Owner Member

Gilsdorf Law, LLC

2014 - Current

Legal Counsel, Arbitrator, Mediator, Independent Neutral. Panel Member, American Arbitration Association, Commercial and Construction and Fixed Time and Cost Arbitration Panels

Director of Legal Services

L. F. Driscoll Co., LLC

2000 - 2014

Sole in-house counsel position in a large regional construction management firm involved with commercial, private and public work up to $ 300MM in per project value. Significant experience with claim preparation, negotiation, and resolution; contract negotiations; and miscellaneous legal matters.

Generalist

Ehret Construction Company

1997 - 2000

Practical hands-on construction experience with a full range of duties including legal services, contract administration, assistant project management and as a general assistant for estimating, field supervision and safety in small construction management company.

Villanova University School of Law

J.D. (1989) | Law

1986 - 1989

Honors: Theodore Riemel Moot Court Award 1988; Herman Mitchel Schwartz Award 1989

Activities: Moot Court Chairperson

University of Delaware

B.A. (1980) | Fine Arts

1976 - 1980

American Arbitration Association

Mediator

2015 - Current

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Member

2015 - Current

Chester County Bar Association

Associate Member

2014 - Current

Delaware County Bar Association

Member

2014 - Current

Amercian Arbitration Association

Arbitrator

2013 - Current

Activities: Construction Law Panelist

Construction Manager AS ADvisor vs. Construction Manager At Risk, 19th Annual Real Estate Institute, Philadelphia, PA

December 10, 2015

Pennsylvania Bar Institute

Survey of Arbitration Forums, Chester County Bar Association, ADR Section, West Chester, PA

April 13, 2015

Chester County Bar Association

Building a Consrtuction Contract, Delaware County Bar Association, Real Estate Committee, Media, PA

May 22, 2015

Delaware County Bar Association