NEW YORK, NY Duane Morris LLP announces Mark A. Canizio, a Partner in the firm's New York, New York, office, has been named Head of the firm's 95-lawyer Construction Practice Group. Additionally, Doreen M. Zankowski joins the Construction Practice Group as a partner in the firm's Boston, Massachusetts, office.

"Mark is a great construction lawyer, and he has shown superb leadership as vice-chair of our Construction Group," said Matthew A. Taylor, Chairman of the firm's Trial Practice Group. "He'll be an excellent leader. He has been personally involved with some of New York's most significant construction matters. We're expecting great things from him in his new leadership role."

Canizio practices in the areas of construction and commercial litigation, including numerous complex construction cases involving multimillion-dollar disputes. Canizio also has extensive experience in both major trials and arbitrations, including the use of cutting-edge computer technology to conduct discovery, organize and manage documents, and present evidence in the courtroom. He has also successfully employed jury consultants and conducted mock trials to help clients assess the reaction of potential jurors to their cases. Canizio has litigated numerous cases involving some of the industry's largest construction companies.

Canizio is a 1982 graduate of Brooklyn Law School and a graduate of Baruch College in 1979.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to lead our great team of construction lawyers," said Canizio. "From San Francisco, to New York, to Boston, to Atlanta, to Miami, the Duane Morris group has a winning record in every kind of complex construction dispute. It's a privilege to take the helm of such a capable group."

Examples of Canizio's experience include:

Obtained a judgment from the State Supreme Court, New York County, dismissing defendant's affirmative defenses and counterclaims for fraud against Duane Morris' client totaling $75 million arising out of the criminal convictions for fraud of two former employees and several subcontractors.

Obtained dismissal, on behalf of an educational institution, of more than $10 million in claims, in connection with the construction of a new campus.

Represented a major public works contractor in its $50 million claim against the State of New York arising out of a $150 million project for the construction of the interchange between the Long Island Expressway and the Cross Island Parkway.

Represented one of the 10 largest construction companies in New York, in defense of major litigation involving the renovation and alteration of the iconic Williamsburg Savings Bank building in Brooklyn, New York, from an office building to a mixed-use building involving retail, residential and commercial spaces.

Doreen Zankowski Joins in Boston

Doreen Zankowski enhances the firm's construction law and litigation capabilities in Boston, nationally, and internationally. She previously was a partner at Saul Ewing LLP and at Hinckley Allen LLP, both in Boston.

For 25 years, Zankowski has counseled both national and international corporate clients in complex litigation, construction and corporate matters, as well as on other issues related to technology, contracting, engineering, and the environment. She advises on corporate, employment and labor matters, and agreements involving engineering, construction, environmental, and technical services. Zankowski's work as outside counsel is leveraged by her past experience with CDM Smith, Inc., a global engineering, construction and technology firm, where she was an Engineering Consultant, Federal Procurement Officer, Strategic Planner, and Chief Health and Safety Officer before becoming Assistant General Counsel and general counsel of several company subsidiaries. She also assisted with protecting the company's intellectual property connected to technology projects. Zankowski draws on this extensive experience when providing advice to clients, including colleges, universities and hospitals, that are without in-house counsel or are facing legal issues beyond the scope of their own resources.

Zankowski also handled mergers and acquisitions; federal and state compliance programs, such as FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations), DFAR (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations) and ITAM; commercial contract drafting and negotiations; risk management counseling; and anti-corruption and compliance advice. She has served as First-Chair Attorney in jury and bench trials in the United States and has handled legal issues overseas.

In addition, Zankowski has worked as an arbitrator on complex construction and environmental matters, nationally and internationally, working through UNCITRAL and the American Arbitration Association.

Zankowski has a practical understanding of the operational challenges that engineering, construction and environmental firms face that she applies when providing advice and counsel on regulatory compliance issues, as well as health and safety issues. In the oil and gas industry, she has represented clients in compliance and litigation capacity regarding transmission issues, pipeline development, drilling and vertical infrastructure. In the construction industry, Zankowski has represented hotels, office buildings, condominiums, commercial and industrial facilities, educational and medical facilities.

Zankowski is a 1991 graduate of Suffolk University School of Law and earned an Master of Science from Boston University in 1984. She is a 1981 cum laude graduate of Regis College.