Brian L. Gardner
Memberbgardner@coleschotz.com New York Office1325 Avenue of the Americas, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10019
T: 646.563.8937 / C: 646.675.2518 / F: 646.563.7937
Legal Practice Assistant: Megan J. Musall
T: 212-752-8000 Ext. 3010
mmusall@coleschotz.com
OVERVIEW
Brian Gardner is chairman of the Construction Services Department and a member of the Litigation Department. Brian is a former federal prosecutor, who, while an attorney at the United States Attorney’s office in the Eastern District of New York, tried numerous federal cases and was honored for his work by the Justice Department and commended by District Court Judges.
He has engaged in a complex civil and criminal litigation practice, including commercial, construction, regulatory, environmental and white collar criminal litigation.
Brian joined the firm in 2014 and has played a prominent role in the representation of a variety of clients, including:
- Numerous developers, construction managers, general contractors, trade contractors and sub-contractors, in all areas of construction including residential and commercial structure, high rise builders, interior contractors, site and demolition contractors, waste management and recycling, trucking, and concrete producers, as well as Heavy Construction contractors including utility and road builders
- Represented construction companies prosecuted by the NY District Attorney’s Office Construction Fraud Task Force, indeed, has represented almost every sizable entity involved in such a prosecution
- Represented the trucking industry in its litigation against the MTA’s imposed bridge limitations, successfully defended the first large-scale environmental prosecution brought by a District Attorney’s office
- Obtained relief for construction entities owed funds regarding their heroic work at the World Trade Center
- NYS Labor Department against a construction related entity
- Representation of a president of one of the largest New York labor unions
- Representation of a trustee of one of the largest construction labor organizations and trade associations in a federal criminal prosecution
Brian also regularly acts as New York litigation counsel for a multinational public oil services company and numerous individuals in both federal and state court matters. He has extensive knowledge of construction litigation, construction contracts, construction related corporate transactions, government regulation, environmental law, heavy construction, waste and debris, immigration detention, fraud, tax, RICO and general commercial law.
Brian tries and argues matters in both federal and state trial and appellate courts, in addition to his representation of clients before the numerous government agencies. A significant portion of his practice is before the appellate courts. Indeed, Brian was featured on the front page of the New York Law Journal regarding his successful representation of an individual in overturning a longstanding judgment and conviction. This case was successfully argued by him before the New York State Court of Appeals.
Brian’s work has been the subject of numerous news stories in both the legal and general press. He is the attorney in countless published opinions before the Appellate Courts, and Trial courts. Brian also served as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens County, where he tried many cases and handled and argued a large number of appeals.
Brian is also a member of the Construction Lawyers Society of America. He has earned his B.A. from State University of New York, Stony Brook and his J.D. from Rutgers School of Law.
Education
Rutgers Law School- Newark, J.D., 1990State University of New York, Stony Brook, B.A., 1987Bar & Court Admissions
New York, 1991U.S. District Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1992U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York , 1995U.S District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 1995U.S District Court of Appeals Third Circuit , 2004U.S District Court for the Western District of New York, 2008U.S District Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit , 2012NEWS
News
City Grapples With Divisive Challenges Of Construction Safety Law
As published in: GlobeSt September 29, 2017
In the Trenches: Keeping Workers Safe Below Ground
As published in: Constructor Magazine September 1, 2017
Brian Gardner spoke with Construction Dive about increased scrutiny and prosecution of safety and fraud incidents
As published in: ConstructionDIVE January 3, 2016
Brian Gardner was quoted in an article titled, "Does Heightened Legal Enforcement 'Cultivate Change' in the Construction Industry?"
As published in: ConstructionDIVE August 3rd, 2016
Personal Notes on Lawyers
As published in: New York Law Journal September 3, 2014
Brian Gardner was featured in the column, Executive Moves
As published in: Crain's New York Business August 22, 2014
Brian Gardner was featured in the column, People on the Move
As published in: New York Business Column August 21, 2014
Cole Schotz Bolsters Litigation Department with Addition of Brian Gardner
Former federal prosecutor brings 25 years of experience August 18, 2014
EVENTS
Recent Events
Criminal Prosecution of Wage Theft and OSHA Violations
Attorney Speaking: Brian L. GardnerFebruary 6, 2019Drafting Tips for Construction Contracts: CLE Presentation at Cole Schotz New Jersey Office
Attorney Speaking: Brian L. GardnerMay 18, 2017Cole Schotz Construction Department Cocktail Reception
Attorneys Speaking: Brian L. Gardner, James T. Kim and Leo V. LeyvaOctober 15, 2014PUBLICATIONS
Publications
Cuomo Extends NY "Pause", Opens Up Phase 1 in Certain Upstate Regions
Corporate Law May 15, 2020
Brian L. Gardner and Aaron S. BrotmanUnderstanding and Protecting Your Rights for Schedule Impacts on an Active Jobsite During a Pandemic
Real Estate & Construction Law April 15, 2020
Aaron S. Brotman, Arianna Christopher and Brian L. GardnerNYC DOB Offers Guidance on Affordable Housing as to Essential vs Non-Essential Project
Real Estate & Construction Law March 31, 2020
Aaron S. Brotman and Brian L. GardnerCOVID-19 Alert: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
Corporate Law March 27, 2020
Samantha B. Epstein, Roger M. Iorio, Arnold M. Zipper, Christopher J. Kula, Brian L. Gardner, Philip R. Hirschfeld and David J. ChoyneIs Your Force Majeure or Unavoidable Delay Notice Ready?
Real Estate & Construction Law March 19, 2020
Brian L. Gardner and Aaron S. BrotmanEmployer Alert Update: Families First Coronavirus Response Act Signed Into Law
Employment Law March 19, 2020
Jason R. Finkelstein and Brian L. GardnerThe Utility of Arbitration Agreements in the Construction Industry
Construction Executive September 24, 2019
Brian L. Gardner and Jason R. Finkelstein