General Counsel
Resume:
Christopher A. Coppula
Germantown, Maryland 20874
********@*****.***
Work Experience
Fort Myer Construction Corporation 2/2008 - present
General Counsel Washington, D.C.
Promoted from Assistant General Counsel in 4/2015
Promoted from Associate General Counsel in 1/2013.
Responsible for advising multi-million dollar company of over 850 employees on all legal matters including:
risk management
insurance matters
safety
compliance
contract negotiation
bid preparation
proposal writing
civil litigation and administrative adjudications: responsible for representation of company before the state, federal and administrative courts of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, federal agencies, state agencies and local government agencies
Representative matters include:
mechanics liens
bond claims
bid protests
breach of contract claims
property damage claims
personal injury claims
traffic violations
OSHA violations
EPA violations
workers compensation claims
labor and union disputes
Responsible for administration of legal department:
supervising three attorneys and staff
evaluating, selecting and supervising outside counsel
Serving as:
Assistant Compliance Officer, advising on all matters of regulatory issues including EEOC, NRC, and EPA.
Member of Safety Committee
Member of Drivers Committee
Member of Discipline Committee
Member of Risk Management Committee
Law Offices of Christopher A. Coppula 5/2007 2/2008
Attorney Rockville, MD; Washington, PA
General practice firm specializing in commercial and construction litigation, real estate and land use.
Tucker Arensberg, PC 8/2003 12/2006
Attorney Pittsburgh, PA
Litigation associate specializing in construction law representing developers, owners, contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers. Litigated jury trials, bench trials and arbitrations. Argued dispositive motions and other complex matters before trial and appellate courts. Conducted numerous depositions. Performed all variety of legal research. Extensive client contact.
Blumling & Gusky, LLP 11/2002 8/2003
Attorney Pittsburgh, PA
Litigation associate specializing in construction litigation representing owners, contractors and subcontractors. Argued dispositive motions and other complex matters before trial and appellate courts. Conducted numerous depositions. Performed all variety of legal research. Extensive client contact.
Cohen & Grigsby, PC 8/1999 11/2002
Attorney Pittsburgh, PA
Litigation associate specializing in commercial and construction law. Argued dispositive motions and other complex matters before trial and appellate courts. Conducted numerous depositions. Performed all variety of legal research. Extensive client contact.
Statland & Buckley, PC 10/1997 8/1999
Attorney Washington, DC
Litigation associate specializing in creditors' rights and construction law.
Education
Georgetown University Law Center Juris Doctorate, 5/1997
GPA: 9.9/12.0 (Top 25%) Washington, DC
Dean's List; Editor, Georgetown Immigration Law Journal
University of Notre Dame Bachelor of Arts, 5/1994
GPA: 3.75/4.0 (Top 10%) Notre Dame, IN
Major: History; Minor: Theology; magna cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa; Station Manager, WSND-FM (1992-1994); Notre Dame Scholar
Bar Admissions
District of Columbia (state and federal)
Pennsylvania (inactive)
Virginia (state and federal)
Maryland (state and federal)
Publications
Tucker Arensberg Construction Law Newsletter articles: “Beware the Notice Provision”; “Recent Developments in Mechanics' Lien Law”; “Substantially Prevailing Party”; “The Mystery Continues”; “Education Empowerment Act Does Not Trump Separations Act”; “PA Supreme Court Permits Contractors to Sue Design Professionals”
Swinging on a Star: The Authorized Biography of Jimmy Van Heusen, 2014 Twin Creeks Publishing:
The first biography of the principal songwriter for Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Winner of four Oscars and an Emmy Award for such hits as Swingin on a Star, All the Way, Call Me Irresponsible, High Hopes and Love and Marriage, Van Heusen is the last member of the famed Rat Pack whose story has yet to be told. Learn why of Van Heusen it was said, "Frank Sinatra (Van Heusen's best friend) wanted to be Jimmy Van Heusen, but he couldn't pass the physical."
Presentations
Avoiding Legal Pitfalls in the Construction Industry (Spring, 2004)
Public Works Construction (June, 2005) – Lorman CLE Course
Recent Developments in Construction Law (April, 2006)
Practical Advice for Construction Professionals (May, 2006)
Resolving Problems and Disputes on Construction Projects (June, 2006) – NBI CLE Course
Public Contracts and Procurement Regulations (June, 2006) – Lorman CLE Course
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