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Deanna L. Koestel

Member | New Jersey/New York

Deanna L. Koestel is a commercial litigator who dedicates her practice to complex commercial and construction litigation, shareholder disputes, and general business law matters in New Jersey and New York. Deanna brings a practical and business savvy approach to 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 including sophisticated fact and expert discovery, motion practice, argument, arbitration and trial, and post-judgment collection and regularly assists clients with responses to governmental subpoenas. She has provided legal advice to several small businesses, strategically focusing on drafting their business agreements in ways to avoid or streamline any future litigation risk.

Deanna has substantial experience in construction matters including construction contract negotiation, litigating bid disputes and complex construction trials and arbitrations. 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 construction contracts to reduce her clients’ risks.

For the last 10 consecutive years, Deanna has been named a New Jersey Rising Star by the Business Litigation section of Super Lawyers.  Since July 2015, she has served as Board President for 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.

Twenty-One Norris McLaughlin, P.A.Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers 2017

Twenty-One Norris McLaughlin, P.A.Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers 2016

Twenty-Two Norris McLaughlin, P.A. Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers

Deanna Koestel Earns Construction Compliance Certification

Twenty-Eight Norris McLaughlin, P.A.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

Twenty-Seven Norris McLaughlin, P.A.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

FORUM EMPOWERS WOMEN ATTORNEYS ON THE RISE

FINDING BALANCE: THE WOMEN'S FORUM AT NORRIS MCLAUGHLIN & MARCUS

2007 NMM WOMEN'S FORUM YEAR-IN-REVIEW

NEW JERSEY'S MASS TORT GUIDELINES

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Blog - Construction Law Blog

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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Publications

  • “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
  • Represents a commercial manufacturer in the negotiation of several construction contracts with contractors and architects for build-outs of several facilities.
  • Represents a restaurant group in connection with the construction build-out of their restaurant and defending against improper mechanic’s liens.
  • 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.
  • Represents a small start-up interior design business.
  • Represents a start-up beverage wholesale business.
  • 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.
  • Secured a refund of defectively manufactured equipment for a distillery.
  • Negotiated a construction contract for a business owner for a retail store 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.
  • Part of a team that represents a leading pharmaceutical and healthcare service organization and has handled several matters involving Federal and State Subpoenas for the organization.
  • Obtained an early dismissal of a surveyor in a multi-party construction litigation dispute.
  • Obtained favorable jury verdict on behalf of a public entity 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).
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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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