OVERVIEW
Craig O’Neill has a broad range of experience in complex insurance coverage, bad faith, construction and surety and general commercial litigation. For over 20 years, Craig has litigated a wide range of matters, including construction delay and disruption, defective design and mechanics’ lien claims in federal and state court on behalf of project owners, general contractors, subcontractors, sureties and design professionals. He regularly drafts construction agreements and advises clients on construction contract management and administrative issues. Craig also works with surety clients on an array of matters, including payment and performance bond claims and claims to enforce indemnity agreements.
Craig also counsels insurance company clients on complex coverage issues under general liability policies and other lines of coverage. He has extensive experience representing insurers in coverage litigation involving environmental pollution, asbestos and other hazardous substances and construction defect claims. His broad litigation experience helps him to examine and understand issues from multiple vantage points.
Prior to joining the firm, Craig was with a regional law firm where he gained valuable experience handling commercial litigation and professional liability matters on behalf of design professionals.
Recognition and Involvement
Recognition & Involvement
Craig has volunteered as a “Big Brother” for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. He also volunteers regularly at clinics held by the Senior Law Center to assist seniors in the preparation of life planning documents including simple wills and powers of attorney.
Credentials
Bar and Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Education
Villanova University School of Law, JD, 1999
State University of New York - College at Oswego, BS, 1996
News & Insights
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Obtained summary judgment in federal court in favor of surety client in regard to indemnity claims arising out of a botched construction project for a minor league baseball stadium in Hartford, Connecticut
- Successfully filed preliminary objections on behalf of project owner client resulting in the dismissal of a Mechanics’ Lien Claim filed in Pennsylvania state court due to claimant’s failure to conform to the requirements of the lien statute
- Represented insurers in coverage dispute involving the remediation of environmental contamination at former manufactured gas plants and waste disposal sites
- Represented general contractor and its payment bond surety on a multi-million dollar Miller Act claim brought by a subcontractor involving claims for breach of contract and delay damages arising from a federal dam project on the Colorado River
- Prepared coverage opinions for property and casualty insurer regarding rights and obligations under general liability policies in connection with nationwide bodily injury and property damage claims
- Represented subcontractor’s performance bond surety on claims brought by the general contractor alleging breach of contract and defective work in connection with the construction of a multi-unit apartment complex
- Represented excess insurer in a coverage dispute arising from the asbestos liabilities of a furnace manufacturer
- Represented architect and engineering firm at a compulsory arbitration resulting in a defense verdict on claims of professional negligence and breach of contract
- Prepared and successfully argued a motion for summary judgment on behalf of an engineering firm in a Pennsylvania state court action involving professional liability claims