James D. Macri
Special Counsel
James D. Macri focuses his practice on helping a range of commercial clients find innovative, cost-effective ways to resolve their legal disputes through strategies that include litigation, arbitration, or mediation. James handles a wide variety of matters for commercial developers, contractors, property owners, and other clients in the construction industry, including complex construction defect claims, payment and mechanic’s lien matters, and contract disputes, among others. He regularly advises clients on corporate and transactional issues, including handling high-value transactions, corporate formation, governance, and dissolution. His practice also includes advising clients on complex environmental regulatory matters and litigation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and others.
During law school, James gained experience as a judicial intern for the Niagara County Court, where he wrote opinions for criminal and civil appeals and participated in court proceedings and conferences.
Honors & Awards
Upstate New York Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2018-22
Presidential Award from Bunkers in Baghdad, 2014
Admissions
- New York
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
- U.S. District Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York
Education
- University at Buffalo School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2014
- Intellectual Property Law Journal: Executive Business Editor
- University at Buffalo, M.B.A., 2014
- University at Buffalo, B.S., magna cum laude
Professional Affiliations
- Western New York Venture Association
Training and Certifications
- Department of Labor OSHA-10 Construction Training
Community Involvement
- Bunkers in Baghdad: Board of Directors
- University at Buffalo School of Management Alumni Association: Board of Directors
Publications & Events
- “Courts Continue to Be ‘Contaminated’ by the Pollution Exclusion: A National Overview” (Co-Author), Thompson Reuters and Westlaw Expert Analysis, March 8, 2019
- “A Detailed BIM Plan,” Modern Contractor Solutions, December 2018
- “U.S. Courts Struggle With Pollution Exclusions” (co-author), Insurance Day, October 2, 2017
- “The ‘Irritating’ Differences in Applications of the Pollution Exclusion Across the Nation: A National Overview of Pollution Exclusion Litigation” (co-author), Westlaw Journal Insurance Coverage, August 18, 2017
- “The Pollution Exclusion Continues to ‘Pollute’ the Courts: A National Overview of Pollution Exclusion Litigation” (co-author), Westlaw Journal: Environmental, Vol. 36, Issue 26, July 20, 2016
- Second Circuit Chapter, ERISA Survey of Federal Circuits (co-author), American Bar Association, 2016
- “But Is It Really a Pollutant? A National Overview of Pollution Exclusion Litigation” (co-author), Westlaw Journal: Environmental, Vol. 35, Issue 20, April 29, 2015
- “Hydraulic Fracturing: A Retrospective of Key Legal Disputes in 2014 and Predictions for the Future” (co-author), AIRROC Matters, Spring 2015
- “Startup Seminar: Intellectual Property and Deal Formation for High Growth Companies” (Co-Presenter), Buffalo, NY, June 26, 2019
- “Managing an OSHA Inspection – How to Assert Your Rights in the Field” (Co-Presenter), DiVal 2019 Safety Summit, Niagara Falls, NY, June 5, 2019
- “Understanding the OSHA Recordkeeping Regulations” (Co-Presenter), DiVal 2019 Safety Summit, Niagara Falls, NY, June 4, 2019
- “Complying with M/WBE Participation Goals” (Co-Presenter), Construction Exchange Presentation, Buffalo, NY, March 13, 2019
- “Top Legal and Business Landmines in Selecting a Construction Project Delivery Method” (co-presenter), Onandaga County Bar Association, February 20, 2019
- “Unpreventable Employee Misconduct — Exploring this Defense to an OSHA Citation, and How to Avoid Having to Raise It” (co-presenter), Annual Genesee Valley and Finger Lakes Region EH&S Professional Development Conference, Rochester, NY, December 5, 2018
- “Throwing the Challenge Flag: Public Bid Protest Process in New York” (Co-Presenter), GS Employment and Labor Webinar, February 28, 2020
- “Modular Building: New Developments for Innovative Construction Methods” (Co-Presenter), GS Construction Webinar Series, September 12, 2019
- “Limits of Contractual Restrictions on Cannabis use by Laborers” (Co-Presenter), Construction Law Webinar, April 11, 2019
- Contributor, “Deed Forgery in Real Property Transactions,” Timely Notice, December 3, 2019
Recent Insights
January 4, 2022