Gaetano is a counselor and resource to clients in the infrastructure, construction, real estate and transportation industries. He has a reputation as an aggressive advocate with a thoughtful and responsive approach to representing clients in the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. This approach has provided Gaetano the fortune of working with clients for many years on various projects, learning their business and working proactively to protect their interests. Gaetano is experienced in the courtroom with first chair experience in jury and bench (non-jury) trials. He also is experienced in mediation and arbitration.
Relevant experience includes:
Gaetano is active in the civic and non-profit realm. Presently, he is a board member of the Caring People Alliance, a large non-profit serving families and communities in Philadelphia. For several years, Gaetano was the Caring People Alliance’s chairperson. From 2016-2021, Gaetano was a member of Philadelphia’s Tax Review Board. Additionally, in 2019 he was reappointed as a member of the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission, the regulatory body responsible for the regulation, licensure and discipline of 50,000 real estate professionals in Pennsylvania. He previously served from 2008-2013. In 2013 and 2024, Gaetano served as Chairperson of the Commission.
Temple University School of Law, J.D.
Temple University, B.A., summa cum laude
New York
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
Chair, Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission
Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America
Member, Law360 Pennsylvania Editorial Advisory Board (2024)
Recognized as a leading Construction attorney in Pennsylvania by Chambers USA (2022-2024)*
Named to “The Best Lawyers in America©” list for Commercial Litigation (2022-2025)*
Named to “The Best Lawyers in America©” list for Litigation – Construction (2025)*
Named to the “Pennsylvania Super Lawyers” list by Thomson Reuters for Construction Litigation (2023-2024)*
Named to the “Pennsylvania Rising Stars” list by Thomson Reuters for Construction Litigation (2012, 2014 – 2019)*
Named “Unsung Hero” by The Legal Intelligencer (2018)*
Named a “Lawyer on the Fast Track” by The Legal Intelligencer (2016)*
Co-author, “Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Under Pennsylvania’s Bad Faith Statute, Are Suretyships and Insurance One and the Same?,” October 23, 2024
Presenter, “Construction Law 101: The Players, the Contract Documents and the Delivery Systems,” accredited CLE program, January 30, 2024
Panelist, “Construction Law Foundations,” ABA Forum on Construction Law 2023 Regional Meeting, November 2, 2023
Co-Author, “Terms of Arbitration Agreements May Not Preclude Award of Penalties and Attorneys’ Fees Under PA’s Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act,” May 26, 2023
Author, “Considerations in Customizing the Proper ADR Process,” June 8, 2022
Presenter, “Construction Defects – Clarifying Claims and Investigations,” accredited CLE Program, February 2, 2022
Presenter, “Act 135 – A Primer for Real Estate Investors,” accredited CLE program, October 13, 2021
Presenter, “Construction Terminations: Breaking Up Isn’t Easy,” accredited CLE program, March 31, 2021
Author, “Philadelphia Relaxes Restrictions on Business Activity,” May 26, 2020
Author, “New Jersey Construction Projects Resume Subject to Restrictions,” May 20, 2020
Author, “COVID-19 Considerations for Act 135 Participants,” April 14, 2020
Author, “Pennsylvania Provides Civil Immunity for COVID-19 Healthcare Workers,” May 14, 2020
Author, “SCOTUS Declines to Take On PA Businesses’ Challenge to Gov. Wolf’s Shutdown Order,” May 7, 2020
Author, “Philadelphia Issues New Guidance for Essential Businesses,” May 6, 2020
Presenter, “What You Need to Know and Do Before Construction Resumes on May 1,” April 29, 2020
Author, “What the 1918 Flu Can Teach Us About COVID-19,” The Dispute Resolver, April 23, 2020
Author, “Governor Wolf Outlines Steps to Reopen Pennsylvania,” April 23, 2020
Author, “Pennsylvania To Ease Restrictions on Construction Projects,” April 20, 2020
Author, “Pennsylvania Orders Businesses to Implement Enhanced Safety Measures,” April 15, 2020
Author, “Governors Working Together to Remove COVID-19 Restrictions,” April 14, 2020
Author, “New Jersey Construction Projects Face New Limitations,” April 9, 2020
Author, “Clarification on Loan Eligibility Requirements for Construction and Other Small Businesses,” April 9, 2020
Author, “‘Prompt Pay’ For Construction May Still Apply Amid COVID-19,” Law360, April 3, 2020
Co-Author, “States Deem Medical Marijuana Essential Industry During COVID-19 Emergency,” April 1, 2020
Author, “Pennsylvania Sets Deadline for Businesses Seeking Waiver or Exemption,” April 1, 2020
Quoted, “‘What Justice Requires’: US Courts in Pa. Fight to Stay Open Amid Coronavirus Outbreak,” The Legal Intelligencer, March 26, 2020
Author, “Postponing Upcoming Primary Elections Amid Coronavirus Concerns?” March 25, 2020
Author, “Conservatorship Act Is Pa.’s Best Property Restoration Tool,” Law360, March 24, 2020
Author, “Alert – Construction Projects: Prepare for Mandatory Civil Authority Shutdowns Due to COVID-19,” March 19, 2020
Author, “Are Construction Sites Open? Jurisdictional Impacts in PA, NY, and NJ,” March 17, 2020
Author, “Commercial Lease Considerations During COVID-19,” March 16, 2020
Author, “Alert: The Force Du Jour: Coronavirus and Force Majeure Clauses,” Litigation Alert, March 9, 2020
Author, “Alert: Pennsylvania Superior Court Clarifies “Legally Occupied” Under the Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act,” Litigation Alert, April 19, 2019
Author, “Dismissal of a Complaint Due to an Arbitration Clause Does Not Toll the Statute of Limitations,” Litigation Alert, March 28, 2019
Author, “Superior Court Examines Service Requirements under Pennsylvania’s Mechanics’ Lien Law,” Litigation Alert, March 19, 2019
Keynote presenter, “Opportunities Pennsylvania Act 135,” Union League Real Estate Club Program, January 2018
Quoted, “KDR National files cross-claim against PSU, IFC in Vivenzio frat case,” The Centre Daily Times, June 15, 2017
Featured, “Quill and Scroll,” National Fraternity of Kappa Delta Rho, Winter 2016
Quoted, “These Guys Are Philadelphia’s Professional Blight Busters,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 15, 2016
Quoted, “Judge Tosses Hazing Claims Against Penn State, Fraternity,” The Legal Intelligencer, December 9, 2016
Quoted, “A Move to Take Over a Derelict, Dangerous Callowhill Property is Initiated,” Philadelphia Business Journal, December 7, 2016 –
Presenter, 2nd Annual Union League Real Estate Summit, August 2016.
Quoted, “Is Philadelphia’s Team Leader Approach Sowing Confusion,” The Legal Intelligencer, August 19, 2016
Author, “Understanding Your Client’s Organization and Personality” The Legal Intelligencer, June 28, 2016
Quoted, “Penn State hazing case could be heard in Dauphin County under judge’s new order,” Penn Live January 28, 2016.
Quoted, “Judge Transfer Penn State Hazing Practices Case From Philadelphia,” The Legal Intelligencer, January 28, 2016
Quoted, “Young Lawyers Can Benefit From a Good Mentor Relationship,” The Legal Intelligencer, December 2, 2015
Co-presenter, Construction Accounting and Financial Reporting Seminar, November 2014
Gaetano Piccirilli acts for clients involved in construction projects in cases arising in state and federal court as well as in ADR proceedings. "An extremely strong litigator and advocate."