Frank T Araps

37 years experience as a business lawyer:   provide risk allocation and management services, including contract preparation and development, strategic counseling and representation for start up, emerging technologies, and all types of  established businesses and industries;  represent individual, corporate, business, commercial, industrial, not-for-profit, local and regional public and private entities and institutions, homeowners and condominium associations, hospitality and food service providers, builders and developers involved in building, renovation, utility and heavy highway construction, industrial, civil and environmental engineering projects and disputes; avoiding if and when possible, claims and bid disputes, and when unavoidable resolving disputes in local, state or federal jurisdictions by litigation, arbitration,  mediation and other less costly alternative resolution procedures.    

Concentrates his practice in engineering and construction law, project risk allocation and management, contract preparation and development, and the negotiation, litigation, arbitration and mediation of construction, corporate and commercial disputes and claims. Extensive experience in the analysis, negotiation, arbitration and litigation of complex engineering, construction and public bid disputes. Represented public and private owners, architects and engineers, contractors, suppliers, and professional errors and omissions carriers before state and federal courts, federal boards of contract appeals, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Represents construction industry participants involved in projects related to hotels and casinos, high-rise condominiums, schools, utility projects, heavy and highway construction, bridge projects, airports, and medical centers, urban downtown redevelopment, and residential subdivision, multi-family and luxury dwelling units. Litigated and arbitrated hundreds of trial and hearing days defending and recovering millions of dollars for public and private owners, contractors, suppliers, architects and engineers. Served as consultant and assistant corporate counsel for one of the leading construction management and consulting firms in the US, where he participated in the development of a comprehensive claims and risk management program for a public sewerage authority engaged in the construction of over 125 integrated projects, and the analysis, management and settlement of hotel/casino construction claims. Promoted, developed, negotiated and drafted leases, financing, construction and procurement contracts and documents for the commercial restaurant, food service and diner industry. Advised and represented these businesses in many shareholder and partnership disputes. Organized and represented as general counsel a prototype buyers food service cooperative corporation comprised of more than 700 New Jersey diner and restaurant members.