Lawrence P. Powers

Larry is a nationally recognized authority in construction-related professional liability law. A seasoned advocate with decades of experience, Larry represents architects, engineers, and design professionals in complex, multi-party disputes involving construction defects, land use, licensing, and disciplinary matters. He has tried over 90 professional malpractice and construction cases to verdict and regularly advises global design firms and major insurers on risk management and
loss prevention.

As former Co-Chair of Hoagland Longo’s Construction Law practice, he led the group for years in partnership with Andy Carlowicz. Together with Bart Longo, they played a foundational role in building and shaping the practice into one of the region’s most respected and sought-after construction law groups, recognized for its legal acumen, depth of experience, and strategic counsel. Today, Larry continues to support the department’s current leadership and is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of construction law attorneys, helping to guide the future of the practice
he helped establish.

Larry’s practice spans a wide range of public and private projects—from residential developments to billion-dollar infrastructure and international building projects. He is frequently called upon to resolve high-stakes litigation, including environmental malpractice claims, wrongful death suits, and complex fee disputes. In addition to litigation, Larry represents clients in zoning, permitting, liquor license applications, land use approvals, and State Board disciplinary proceedings, with a long-standing record of favorable outcomes. He has also served as Planning Board Attorney for both the Borough of Garwood and Hopewell Borough.

A respected voice in the professional community, Larry has served as General Counsel to AIA-New Jersey, NJASLA, and the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers for over three decades. He is a frequent lecturer at industry conventions and academic institutions such as Princeton University and Pratt Institute, and his CLE courses on ethics and liability are certified across multiple states.

Larry’s career is grounded in real-world experience—having worked in both field and office roles in the general and mechanical contracting industries and the heavy transportation sector. He put himself through law school as a night student at Seton Hall while gaining firsthand knowledge of how projects are designed and built, from reading blueprints to working as a mason’s laborer. This foundation gives him unique credibility in the courtroom and at the
negotiating table.

Areas of Focus

Construction Litigation

• Defends architects, engineers, and design professionals in complex malpractice claims.
• Tried over 90 jury cases involving construction and professional liability disputes.
• Handles litigation on infrastructure, residential, and international projects.
• Resolves environmental and HVAC design malpractice claims and wrongful death suits.
• Advises on risk management, contract negotiation, and dispute resolution.

Land Use and Development

• Represents clients in zoning, permitting, and land use approvals.
• Counsels on liquor license applications and fee recapture agreements.
• Serves as legal counsel to planning boards and public agencies.
• Manages litigation related to land use, consumer fraud, and development disputes.

Professional Licensing and Discipline

• Represents clients before the NJ State Boards for Architects, Engineers, and LSRPs.
• Defends design professionals in disciplinary actions and board investigations.
• Long-standing General Counsel to professional organizations (AIA-NJ, NJASLA, NJSPE).
• Guides professionals through licensure, compliance, and ethics issues.

Industry Leadership and Education

• Lecturer at Princeton University and the Pratt Institute School of Architecture.
• Speaker at AIA-NJ, NJASLA, and NJ Society of Professional Engineers conventions.
• Developer of CLE-certified ethics and liability programs across NJ, NY, and PA.
• Regularly invited to speak on liability, ethics, and land development trends.

Representative Trial and Litigation Experience

• Tried a $12M environmental malpractice claim against an LSRP to a $45K jury verdict.
• Obtained a directed verdict for a construction inspection company in an electrocution death case filed by one of the pre-eminent plaintiff’s personal injury attorney in the State of New Jersey.
• Tried a $13M HVAC design malpractice case to a $35K jury verdict.
• Successfully represented a construction engineering firm on a malpractice claim. involving a $1.46B bridge replacement project, getting client paid for additional services and avoiding making any indemnity payment.
• Successfully tried a residential consumer fraud case to a jury verdict resulting in one of the few awards of counsel fees to a Plaintiff under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.
• Successfully negotiated the settlement of litigation involving a $10M sewer construction fee recapture agreement for a nationally known residential home builder.

Awards

• The National Law Journal, Real Estate/Construction Law Trailblazers (2022)
• The Best Lawyers in America (2008–2025); "Lawyer of the Year" in Construction Law (2017) and Litigation (2012, 2018, 2020)
• New Jersey Super Lawyers (2005–2017; 2020–Present)
• NJBIZ Icon Award Honoree (2018)
• AIA-NJ Resident of the Year (2011)
• NJBIZ General Counsel of the Year Finalist (2015)
• Rated AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell

Affiliations

• Counsel, AIA-New Jersey, the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers and ASLA-New Jersey
• Former counsel, Garwood Planning Board and the Hopewell Borough Planning Board
• Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America
• Co-Chair, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (“CLM”) Cannabis Committee

Awards

• The National Law Journal, Real Estate/Construction Law Trailblazers (2022)
• The Best Lawyers in America (2008-2025); "Lawyer of the Year" in Construction Law (2017) and Construction Litigation (2012, 2018 and 2020)
• New Jersey Super Lawyers (2005-2017; 2020-Present)
• NJBIZ Icon Award Honoree (2018)
• AIA-NJ Resident of the Year (2011)
• NJBIZ General Counsel of the Year Awards, Finalist, Non-profit or Government Organization (2015)
• Rated AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell

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