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Deanna L. Koestel

Member | New Jersey/New York

Deanna L. Koestel is a commercial litigator who focuses on complex commercial and construction litigation, shareholder disputes, and general business law matters in New Jersey and New York. Deanna has represented clients in a variety of industries with significant experience in the construction, food & beverage, and healthcare industries. She has experience litigating matters including breach of contract, fraud and consumer fraud actions, breach of fiduciary duty and other business disputes, product defect & liability, and professional negligence claims. She is experienced in all aspects of commercial litigation from commencement through trial, including sophisticated fact and expert discovery, motion practice, argument, arbitration and trial, and post-judgment collection and regularly assists clients with responses to all types of subpoenas.

Deanna brings a practical and business savvy approach to the law and she serves as general “outside counsel” for several businesses, providing advice and strategy to these businesses and drafting their business agreements in ways to manage their legal needs and to avoid or streamline any future litigation risk.

Deanna has significant experience handling all aspects of construction law. She routinely represents residential and commercial property & business owners, contractors and subcontractors, suppliers, and manufacturers in construction contract issues including breach of contract, warranty actions, building supply defects, and professional liability. She also handles construction lien & mechanic’s lien issues on behalf of owners and contractors alike. Deanna’s experience on the litigation side of construction matters has provided her with valuable insight that she is able to utilize for her clients’ benefit in drafting various types of construction contracts to reduce her clients’ risks.

For 10 consecutive years, Deanna has been named a New Jersey Rising Star by the Business Litigation section of Super Lawyers.  Deanna currently serves as Board President for the non-profit organization Girls on the Run NYC.  In 2013, Deanna was recognized as a Volunteer of the Year for her work with H.A.R.K. (Healthy Active Responsible Kids), where she was a founding board member and trustee, and Girls on the Run of Central New Jersey. She is active in community outreach and fundraising for various charities in New Jersey and New York.

Deanna Koestel, Panelist for New Jersey Chapter of The Entrepreneurs’ Organization

Norris McLaughlin Attorneys to Present Food Tour Webinar Series

Seventeen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers 2017

Seventeen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers 2016

Seventeen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers

Deanna Koestel Earns Construction Compliance Certification

Twenty Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers 2014

Norris McLaughlin, P.A. Names Five New Members

Deanna Koestel Named a Volunteer of the Year by Somerset Hills YMCA

Seventeen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers

Thirty Norris McLaughlin, P.A.Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers

Deanna L. Koestel Named Among New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars

Articles

2007 NORRIS MCLAUGHLIN WOMEN’S FORUM YEAR-IN-REVIEW

NEW JERSEY'S MASS TORT GUIDELINES

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Blog - Construction Law Blog

The Untold Truth of Restaurant Construction: 10 Common Pitfalls in Restaurant Build-Outs

Is Your Construction Project at Risk for Delays or Damages Because of the Coronavirus?

A Mechanic’s Lien Filed Against a Co-op Building May be Enforceable

New Jersey’s Prompt Payment Act May Override a Contractual Forum Selection Clause

Want to bring a lawsuit to collect payments owed to you? First make sure your company is properly authorized to conduct business in New Jersey.

I’m a Contractor in New York and Haven’t Been Paid, but My Contract Says I Can’t Suspend Performance Due to Non-Payment: Do I Have to Keep Performing Work?

What is the New York Prompt Payment Act and Can it Help Me Get Paid?

Is The Pay-If-Paid Or Pay-When-Paid Clause In My New York Construction Contract Enforceable?

What Is The NJ Prompt Payment Act And Can It Help Me Get Paid?

Help! I’m a subcontractor who is owed money in a commercial project and the general contractor just filed for bankruptcy – IS IT TOO LATE TO LIEN THE JOB?

Contractors Working in New York and New Jersey: Do You Need a Written Contract to File a Mechanic’s or Construction Lien?

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Blog - New York Co-op and Condo Blog

The Untold Truth of Restaurant Construction: 10 Common Pitfalls in Restaurant Build-Outs

Mechanic’s Lien Waivers in Contracts Are Generally Not Enforceable: Co-op Boards Beware

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Publications

  • “Contracts & COVID-19: What Restaurants Need to Know,” New York State Restaurant Association, Zoom Meeting, May 7, 2020
  • “Contracts and COVID-19: Managing Obligations Now and in the Future,” Specialty Food Association, Business Continuity: Risk Mitigation Planning Webinar Series, April 30, 2020
  • “Responding to Coronavirus Orders and Adapting My Business – Is This the NEW NORMAL?,” Virtual Town Hall, March 31, 2020
  • “Insight 2020 Lightning-Round Secrets from Top Experts,” New Jersey Chapter of The Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Somerville, NJ, September 18, 2019
  • “Essential Contracts for Emerging and Established Food and Beverage Companies,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Zoom Meeting, March 6, 2019
  • “Interesting Issues in the Construction Lien Law & Mechanic’s Lien Law in NJ & NY,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, February 21, 2018
  • “Amendments to New Jersey’s Construction Lien Law,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, June 23, 2011
  • “Construction Claims and Law: Preparation, Proof & Defense,” New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, November 21, 2009
  • “Representing Corporations and Multiple Parties,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, August 10, 2016

Construction Industry Representative Matters

  • Represents a premier commercial construction company on many contract and litigation matters.
  • Represents residential property owners in a breach of contract and construction litigation matter.
  • Represents a manufacturer in a personal injury matter related to its construction contract.
  • Successfully defended a contractor against claims of breach of contract and construction defect.
  • Negotiated construction contracts for a retail business owner in state-owned rail station.
  • Negotiated a favorable settlement on behalf of an international mineral processing company against a manufacturer and fabricator on projects in several states.
  • Negotiated a favorable early settlement for an international manufacturer in a multi-party construction litigation matter through alternative dispute resolution process.
  • Obtained an early dismissal of a surveyor in a multi-party construction litigation dispute.
  • Obtained favorable jury verdict defending a public housing authority in a construction litigation matter (as second chair)
  • Obtained a favorable jury verdict on behalf of a commercial business owner in a construction litigation matter (as second chair).
  • Obtained a favorable arbitration award on behalf of a commercial business owner in a construction arbitration (as second chair).

Food & Beverage Industry Representative Matters

  • Represents a restaurant group in connection with the construction build-out of their restaurant and defending against improper mechanic’s liens.
  • Represents a start-up beverage wholesale business.
  • Represents an interior design business.
  • Negotiated a favorable settlement for a wine importer in connection with a breach of contract action.
  • Represented a family owned winery in connection with creating business agreements and negotiating a favorable settlement to collect overdue accounts from distributors.
  • Secured a refund of defectively manufactured equipment for a locally-owned distillery.

Health Care Industry Representative Matters

  • Represents a physical therapy practice as its general “outside counsel.”
  • Represents a national pharmaceutical company in connection with responding to third party subpoenas in a multi-district litigation.
  • Negotiated a favorable settlement for a national pharmaceutical company defending against claims related to breach of a marketing agreement.
  • Negotiated a favorable early settlement for a large medical group-health care provider defending against breach of contract claims.

Shareholder Disputes/ Business Law Representative Matters

  • Represents a minority shareholder in a case involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract.
  • Represents a group of LLC-members in a complex international shareholder dispute.
  • Successfully represented a group of LLC members in a case asserting breach of fiduciary duty claims against the company’s managing member.

 

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Deanna L. Koestel was selected to the 2017 Rising Stars Super Lawyers list. The Super Lawyers List is issued by Thompson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

2013 Volunteer of the Year

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  • Areas of Practice

  • Education

    • Temple University Beasley School of Law
      • J.D., 2002
    • University of Maryland
      • B.A., Psychology and Criminology/Criminal Justice, 1999

  • Bar Admissions

    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Pennsylvania
    • U.S. District Court
      • District of New Jersey
      • Eastern District of Pennsylvania
      • Southern District of New York
      • Eastern District of New York
    • U.S. Court of Appeals
      • Third Circuit

    Professional Affiliations

    • American Bar Association
    • New Jersey State Bar Association
    • New Jersey Defense Association

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