Portrait of Paul J. Fanelli

Paul J. Fanelli

Attorney

Paul Fanelli counsels architects, engineers, design-build entities, owners, and businesses through the legal and practical challenges that arise on complex construction projects. He helps clients anticipate risk, navigate disputes, and protect their interests from project inception through closeout.

Paul’s practice centers on construction and commercial litigation, where he represents clients in mediation, arbitration, and state and federal courts. He handles a wide range of disputes involving project delays, inefficiencies, payment issues, and contract performance. His experience includes prosecuting and defending mechanics’ liens, construction liens, and bond claims, as well as addressing employment and labor concerns connected to construction projects.

In addition to dispute resolution, Paul provides day-to-day project counseling to clients. He drafts and negotiates construction contracts, change orders, and closeout agreements, helping clients maintain momentum while minimizing exposure. His practical, solutions-oriented approach allows him to align legal strategy with business objectives and deliver efficient, cost-effective outcomes across construction, real estate, and broader commercial matters.

    Education

    • Widener University Commonwealth Law School (J.D.)
    • Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (B.A.)

    State Bar Admissions

    • Pennsylvania
    • New Jersey

    Court Admissions

    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
    • United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
    • United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
    • United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

    Professional Affiliations

    • Associated Builders and Contractors, Eastern PA Chapter, Philadelphia Regional Council

Featured Publications & News

<p>Offit Kurman Welcomes Two New Attorneys to the Firm</p>

Offit Kurman Welcomes Two New Attorneys to the Firm

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Firm Highlights

  • Events
    AIA Tri-State Conference
    Princeton will serve as the backdrop for three days of connection, learning, and design leadership. From keynotes to tours to the Tri-State Design Awards, this year’s conference is designed to go far beyond education sessions. Kick off the week with pre-conference intensives and individual state component Design Award celebrations, followed by three days of education, inspiration, networking, and design excellence at the 2026 AIA Tri-State Conference—featuring pre-conference intensives, three keynote speakers, 25 education sessions, curated tours, an expo, spec academies, and the AIA Tri-State Design Awards—bringing together architects and design professionals from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to connect, learn, and celebrate the best of the profession. G2. Designing Secure Practices: Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Contractual Provisions, and Insurance Risks for Architects (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) Architects and design professionals increasingly rely on cloud platforms, BIM software, and digital tools to manage sensitive data, creating cybersecurity and privacy risks. A single incident can trigger liability claims, regulatory obligations, reputational harm, and insurance challenges. Yet many firms underestimate how contracts, insurance, and internal practices intersect during a breach. This program offers legal and insurance perspectives on cyber risk in architecture, examining liability exposure, risky contract provisions, and mitigation strategies. A cyber insurance expert will explain policy responses, coverage gaps, coordination with professional liability, and best practices for aligning insurance with contractual risk and protecting firms from evolving cyber threats. Learning Objectives: Identify key cybersecurity and data privacy risks faced by architecture firms and explain how these risks can impact professional liability and project outcomes. Analyze common contractual provisions to determine which clauses may increase exposure to cyber incidents and propose strategies to mitigate these risks. Evaluate the scope and limitations of cyber insurance policies, including coordination with professional liability coverage, to determine how a policy would respond in a breach scenario. Develop actionable risk management strategies by integrating legal, contractual, and insurance considerations to protect sensitive client and project data.