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Samuel M. "Tony" Starr

Member
617.348.4467
vCard
Boston


Education

  • Northeastern University (JD, 1982)
  • Harvard University (BA, 1977)

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts

Languages

  • French

Tony is Co-chair of the firm's Construction Law Practice Group. He represents contractors, owners, developers, and public authorities across a wide range of construction-related issues in both the public and private sectors including contract drafting, bidding issues, job problems, change order disputes, mechanics’ liens, bond claims, terminations, and delay claims.

Tony has represented clients in numerous major construction trials, arbitrations, and mediations. He is a frequent lecturer in the area of construction law particularly in the area of arbitration and mediation of construction disputes.

Representative Matters

Construction Litigation & Dispute Resolution

  • Representation of a large dredging company in a multimillion-dollar action against the US Army Corps of Engineers including a trial in Court of Claims. Case arose out of survey practices employed by Corps on the dredging of a major shipping channel in New York-New Jersey Harbor
  • Representation in court, arbitration, and mediation of a municipal water and sewer authority against a design builder of a combined sewer separation project. Authority terminated the design builder for performance and design failures
  • Representation of the lead engineering procurement and construction contractor in a multimillion-dollar 34-day, three-party arbitration arising out of the failure of the wastewater treatment plant at a pulp and paper de-inking facility
  • Representation of a design builder against a design consultant on several major highway and bridge design build projects for design failures including inadequate estimating
  • Representation of an excavation and garage contractor against a construction manager for wrongful termination
  • Representation of a major university on construction and design claims against a builder and architect on a $250 million science, classroom, and research facility
  • Represented a contractor in a multimillion-dollar differing site condition claim against an owner on the 9 ½ mile Outfall Tunnel Project for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

Construction Law & Counseling

  • Served as outside counsel for the Massachusetts Port Authority in connection with the $1.2 billion modernization program at Boston’s Logan Airport. This engagement included detailed contract review, bid protest advice and hearings, and construction claims review and litigation
  • Continued representation of a variety of owners and contractors on drafting and negotiating multiple contract forms (AIA, custom forms)
  • Revised owner, contractor, and subcontractor contract payment provisions to comply with new Massachusetts Prompt Pay Law
  • Represented an independent authority in an investigation of contractor compliance with the federally mandated disadvantaged business enterprise program
  • Ongoing representation of a variety of owners and contractors on contract performance issues, change orders, schedule issues

Recognitions & Awards

  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers: Construction Litigation (2006 – 2012)
  • Best Lawyers in America: Litigation - Construction (2012 – 2013)

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Member, ABA Forum on the Construction Industry
  • Member, MBA Construction Law Practice Group
  • Member, MBA Civil Litigation Section
  • Member, BBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
  • Member, BBA Construction Law Committee
  • Board of Directors, Association of General Contractors (AGC) of Massachusetts 
  • Member, Construction Industries of Massachusetts (CIM)
  • Member, Utility Contractors' Association of New England, Inc.
  • Board member; Founding member; Co-chair, Development Committee; Co-chair, Leadership Council: The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare
  • Vice President Administration; Chair, Building Committee: Temple Beth Elohim
  • Member, Facilities Committee; Member, Corporation: Belmont Hill School