Peter Abdella maintains a general litigation practice with an emphasis on commercial and construction law. He also assists firm clients with problems concerning corporate governance, private and public mechanics’ liens, and commercial landlord-tenant rights and remedies. His experience includes the following:
- Construction litigation including defense of design professionals; representation of architects, engineers, owners and contractors in construction-related disputes, and lien foreclosure actions representing design professionals, contractors and owners.
- Representation of owners, architects and engineers in contract negotiations and fee disputes.
- Counsel and advice to private higher education institutions, school districts, and public boards regarding construction project issues.
PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC AFFILIATIONS
- General Counsel, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
- Panel Member, American Arbitration Association International Centre for Dispute Resolution
- Member, Boards of Directors, National Comedy Center and Lucy Desi Museum
- Chancellor and General Counsel, Susquehanna Conference and Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- Member, Monroe County Bar Association
- Former Chair and Member, Attorney Grievance Committee for the Seventh Judicial District, Fourth Department, State of New York
- Former Member, Board of Trustees, Foundation of the Monroe County Bar Association
- Former Member, Board of Trustees, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
HONORS & AWARDS
- Recognized by Chambers USA from 2015 to present in the field of Litigation: General Commercial (Upstate NY)
- Named as Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in Rochester, NY
- Appellate Practice (2026)
- Litigation – Real Estate (2024, 2026)
- Litigation – Construction (2024, 2027)
- Litigation – Real Estate (2022)
- Litigation – Construction (2013)
- Construction Law (2012)
- Named by The Daily Record as one of Rochester’s Attorneys of the Year, 2015
- Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® for:
- Appellate Practice
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Corporate Governance Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation – Trusts and Estates
- Litigation and Controversy – Tax
- Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
- AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers list since 2007
