Matthew Dempsey is an award-winning construction attorney and engineer with more than 10 years of experience advising contractors, subcontractors, project owners, developers, and sureties on complex disputes, lien claims, project structure, transactions, and regulatory compliance. Matthew’s objective and philosophy begins with understanding each client’s unique business mission, culture, and most importantly – the people. He tailors every representation to his client’s individual circumstances, knowing that success does not look the same for every client or in every matter.
As a qualified engineer and seasoned construction attorney, Matthew speaks the language of the construction industry. He navigates and interprets complex industry concepts in both transactional and litigation matters, honing in on critical issues and facilitating clear communication to secure favorable outcomes – whether between business executive and site foreman or expert and jurors.
Matthew’s broad experience in transactions and litigation makes him well-positioned to anticipate and minimize clients risks and costs in both scenarios. When structuring a construction transaction, raising finance, or negotiating commitments, he prioritizes the issues that optimize value and reduce litigation exposure. In handling mid-project issues, he is savvy to the costs of construction delays and disputes because he routinely navigates them with his litigation clients. As a trusted advisor, Matthew also frequently advises on governance, compliance, and risk management questions, often acting as de facto general counsel to his regional and national construction clients.
Matthew has handled disputes at every stage of construction, from delays and accelerations to structural defects and payment issues. He has achieved historic verdicts in the Pennsylvania courts and resolved myriad construction disputes for his clients through litigation, mediation, arbitration, and skilled negotiation. He has extensive experience advocating for clients in county, state, and federal courts and in AAA arbitration. Matthew’s close client relationships and tailored approach extend to the dispute resolution arena, where he combines his deep industry knowledge with a thorough understanding of his clients to achieve successful and valuable outcomes.
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, New Jersey
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District Court of New Jersey
- United States Tax Court
Education
- Villanova Law School, Villanova, PA J.D., May 2011, Associate Editor of the Sports and Entertainment Law Journal.
- Manhattan College School of Engineering, Riverdale, NY B.S., Mechanical Engineering; Minor, Mathematics, May 2007.
Professional Affiliations
- Philadelphia Bar Association
- Board Member, Woodbury Old-City Restoration Committee
- ABA Forum on Construction Law