Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC, a law firm representing corporate clients, midsized privately held businesses, and construction-related companies, is pleased to announce the promotions of Matthew Gioffre and Michael Metz-Topodas to Partners of the firm, effective January 1, 2020.

Cohen Seglias Managing Partner George Pallas commented, “On behalf of everyone at the firm, I congratulate Matt and Michael on this well-deserved accomplishment and thank them for their contributions over the years to the growth of our firm.”

Jason Copley, Chair of Cohen Seglias’ Construction Group, said, “Matt and Michael are both skilled construction attorneys and litigators who are highly valued members of our firm. Both excel in assisting clients with tactical and strategic decisions that move matters in a successful direction.”

Matt Gioffre focuses his practice on complex construction law claims on behalf of general contractors, subcontractors, design-builders, and material suppliers. He has broad experience litigating claims involving construction and design defects, product defects, delays, unforeseen conditions, and out-of-scope work claims on public, private, and federal projects. Gioffre also pursues and defends lien claims, bond claims, and Miller Act claims. In addition, he negotiates contracts on behalf of project owners, general contractors, and subcontractors on large commercial construction projects. Gioffre joined Cohen Seglias in 2007. He has been recognized on the Super Lawyers’ Pennsylvania Rising Stars List for Construction Litigation (2013 – 2019), earned his J.D., cum laude, from Temple University Beasley School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. He is active in the Philadelphia chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association, the Mechanical & Service Contractors Association, and the National Electrical Contractors Association Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter.

Michael Metz-Topodas represents general contractors, subcontractors, owners, designers, and suppliers on private, public, and federal projects. He handles cases in state and federal court dealing with a range of construction issues, such as delay and inefficiency claims, design and construction defects, unforeseen site conditions, project scope disputes, and bond and mechanics lien claims. Metz-Topodas also helps clients navigate enforcement and investigations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. His commercial litigation work includes disputes over corporate ownership and shareholders’ rights, insurance coverage issues, and Telephone Consumer Protection Act and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act claims. He joined the firm in 2014. Metz-Topodas earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Temple University Beasley School of Law and his B.A., with distinction, from Swarthmore College. He is active in: Associated Builders and Contractors, Keystone Chapter; the American Subcontractors Association of Central Pennsylvania; the Keystone Contractors Association; the Pennsylvania Builders Exchange; and South Central Architects, Engineers, and Contractors. Metz-Topodas also co-chairs the Education Law Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

Cohen Seglias’ Construction Group, one of the largest practices on the East Coast, represents more than 1,000 clients in projects including bridges, water treatment plants, petrochemical plants, dams, highways, major office buildings, stadiums, hospitals, shopping centers, condominiums, government buildings, airports, factories, and schools.

About Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC

Founded in 1988, Cohen Seglias is a law firm with more than 70 attorneys in offices across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Washington, DC, and Kentucky. The firm provides client service on a national basis in areas including business transactions, commercial litigation, construction, energy & utilities, financial services, government contracting, government law & regulatory affairs, insurance coverage & risk management, internal investigations, labor & employment, real estate, and wealth preservation. For more information please visit www.cohenseglias.com.