About Tarek F. Abdalla
CO-CHAIR, CONSTRUCTION & INFRASTRUCTURE PRACTICE
Tarek Abdalla represents contractors, owners, developers, equipment suppliers, engineers, and architects in major public and private projects in the energy and construction industries including power plants, pipelines, and other energy infrastructure. He has considerable experience with matters involving industrial and manufacturing facilities, municipal infrastructure, roads, bridges, and commercial developments. Tarek has practiced and lived in the United States and in the Middle East.
Tarek has worked on disputes throughout the United States and in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. A respected construction lawyer and recently appointed American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) construction arbitrator, Tarek also brings extensive international arbitration experience before the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”), the Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre, the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (“DIAC”), the London Court of International Arbitration, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution, and the American Arbitration Association.
Clients admire Tarek for his counsel, and one client noted in Chambers USA his “quick understanding of the issues and how they relate to the broader commercial objectives is phenomenal.” As an example of his work, Tarek advised a European automobile manufacturer in all aspects of the construction of its first automobile assembly plant in the United States. On the dispute side, Tarek acted as lead counsel in a lawsuit alleging $220 million in delay, acceleration, and change order claims arising from construction of a combined-cycle power plant in the United States.
Tarek lectures frequently on construction and energy topics and has authored articles that have appeared in national and international publications.
In law school, Tarek was Lead Articles Editor of the West Virginia Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Barristers for excellence in trial advocacy.
Not engaged in the practice of law in Texas. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and West Virginia only.
A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.
Experience
- Represented a global supplier of gas-fired energy equipment in a $160 million ICC arbitration relating to alleged equipment failure in Taiwan.
- Represented a global supplier of utility-scale battery storage equipment in a AAA arbitration relating to alleged equipment defects on five separate energy storage projects in California.
- Represented an EPC contractor on a series of construction disputes relating to on-shore wind projects in the Western United States.
- Represented a global leader in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the metals industry in a trade secret case against a global competitor, winning a complete defense victory at summary judgment on all claims.
- Represented a Japanese-owned American steel company in a successful defense against a lawsuit brought by the U.S. subsidiaries of a Russian steel conglomerate.
- Represented a utility-scale lithium-ion battery energy storage developer in a JAMS arbitration against a global manufacturer of battery storage equipment and successfully confirmed the contested arbitration award.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in all aspects of the development of its first automobile assembly plant in the United States.
- Represented a leading interstate pipeline company on various aspects of its $20 billion capital expenditure program including contracting strategies and negotiation of contracts for pipelines throughout the northeastern United States.
- Represented a Fortune 50 company in federal court litigation alleging $240 million in claims relating to the construction of a 800MW combined-cycle power plant.
- Represented a government-linked developer in an arbitration seeking $750 million in damages resulting from the termination of an international joint venture in a landmark project in the Middle East.
- Represented a government-linked developer in a series of high-value disputes in arbitration in the Middle East and the UK.
- Represented a developer of a hotel/convention center complex in an ICC arbitration against a government-linked developer relating to termination of a development lease.
Not engaged in the practice of law in Texas. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and West Virginia only.
A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.
News & Views
News / Press Release
Blank Rome Further Expands Construction, Infrastructure, and Energy Platform with Partner Tarek F. AbdallaAugust 17, 2026
Not engaged in the practice of law in Texas. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and West Virginia only.
A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.
Recognitions
- 2026, Band 1, Construction Law (Pennsylvania), listed in Chambers USA
- 2017–2026, Construction Law, listed in The Legal 500 United States
- 2019–2026, Construction Law and Construction Litigation, listed in Best Lawyers in America®
- 2021, 2023, “Lawyer of the Year” for Construction Law, listed in Best Lawyers in America®
- 2018, “Class of ADR Champion,” by The National Law Journal
- 2018, Leadership Excellence Award, National Diversity Council
Not engaged in the practice of law in Texas. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and West Virginia only.
A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
Education
- Duke University, BA
- West Virginia University College of Law, JD
Not engaged in the practice of law in Texas. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and West Virginia only.
A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.