Justin N. Leonelli

Select Disputes

• Represented a utility-scale battery energy storage system manufacturer in a dispute arising from the development of a California microgrid and battery energy storage project involving alleged project delays, performance deficiencies, remediation costs, liquidated damages, warranty claims, and completion-related issues.
• Represented an international battery energy storage system manufacturer and developer in an AAA arbitration involving five utility-scale battery energy storage projects in California, concerning performance guarantees, warranty obligations, alleged equipment defects, and claims exceeding $20 million.
• Represented supplier and subcontractor of fire protection, life safety, and commercial security systems in numerous construction disputes involving nonpayment, retainage, mechanic’s liens, payment bonds, and related subcontract claims.
• Represented a specialty building envelope contractor in various disputes involving payment and lien claims, supplier defaults, material escalation, project delays, and other subcontract and supply-chain issues.
• Represented a global light rail and transportation manufacturer in a dispute arising from the modernization of an urban light rail transit system.
• Represented a global engineering firm in dispute arising from the design and engineering of a first-of-its-kind industrial chemical processing facility.
• Represented a diesel manufacturer in an ICC arbitration in New York, brought with client’s consortium partner and co-claimant against the project owner of five separate diesel-fired power plants in the Republic of Chile. The claims relate to a dispute over project delays and breach of five EPC contracts.
• Represented a synthetic rubber manufacturer in a $40 million breach of contract dispute against a manufacturer concerning the supply a defective O-ring seals that diminished production at the client’s butyl synthetic rubber production facility in Canada.
• Represented the owner of the largest commercial building in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in relation to its defective construction and design claims against trade contractors, the construction manager, and the engineer of record. This matter involved construction and design defects to the façade of the building, leading to millions of dollars in repair costs and related damages.
• Represented a Taiwanese civil/structural subcontractor in connection with disputes arising out of the construction of a new 500-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Taiwan. The seat was Taipei, and the arbitration was conducted under the rules of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. The applicable law was Taiwanese law, and the language of the arbitration was English.
• Represented a global light rail and transportation manufacturer in relation to the failure of certain guideway ride plates located at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
• Represented a global wind turbine manufacturer and supplier in relation to the construction of several wind farm projects involving claims for delay, defects, force majeure, and changes, and defended against liquidated damages claims.
• Represented an international EPC contractor in connection with claims arising out of the construction of the largest oil refinery in South America. Claims and cross-claims exceeded $2.2 billion in one of the largest ICC arbitrations on record.

Select Transactions

• Counsel for a leading battery energy storage system (“BESS”) manufacturer and developer in connection with a utility-scale BESS project for a major Virginia utility.
• Counsel for a leading BESS manufacturer and developer in connection with a multi-site BESS project utilizing a full-wrap EPC delivery structure.
• Counsel for a global transportation asset leasing and services company in connection with the development of a multimillion-dollar industrial gas flare system at its California rail facility.
• Counsel for an influencer-founded luxury cosmetics and skincare company in connection with the development of its New York City headquarters.
• Counsel for an influencer-founded women’s activewear brand in connection with the development of its California and New York City flagship retail stores.
• Counsel for a turbo-machinery manufacturer in relation to the construction of its manufacturing facilities throughout the United States.
• Counsel for a large-scale manufacturer in connection with the development of its U.S.-based manufacturing facilities utilizing a full-wrap EPC delivery structure.