Joseph R. Harbeson is a partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, where he is chair of the firm’s Construction Practice Group, Vice-Chair of the Litigation Department and a member of the Employment Law Practice Group.

Mr. Harbeson practices construction law, including contracts, project transactional work and compliance with trust fund obligations, as well as all types of construction and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience in disputes arising out of construction projects, including mechanic’s liens, public bidding and issues involving performance and payment bond sureties; municipal law, including Article 78 and plenary challenges to governmental action; landlord/tenant and other real estate disputes, including challenges to municipal zoning actions; transportation, particularly relating to the school bus industry; negligence and contract disputes; and appellate practice in all areas.

In labor and discrimination he has successfully represented clients in claims under Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act, both in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies. He has defended “hybrid” claims involving wrongful termination of union employees coupled with claims of union breaches of the duty of fair representation, and has represented employers in labor arbitrations.

Mr. Harbeson is an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Tuckahoe and a member of the Westchester County Bar Association the U.S. Green Building Council - Long Island Chapter, the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

At St. John’s, in addition to being counsel to the Vestry, he has served as a Warden and member of the Vestry. He also serves as the Chair of the Stewardship and Cemetery Committees and sings in the choir.

Publications

• "It's Smart to Plan Ahead for Change Orders" (New York Construction, March 2005)
• "Transferring Risk- Going Beyond Boilerplate When Selecting Insurance" (New York Law Journal, November 3, 2008)

Presentations

• "Demonstrative Evidence in Construction: Practical and Evidentiary Issues", February 2010
• "The New Ethics: New York's Rules of Professional Conduct" (March 2009)
• "Green Building: What It Is, What You Need to Know and Why" (February 2007)
• "It's Not Your Money: Understanding New York's Lien Law Trust Fund Provisions" (December 2005)