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Associate
More ways to contact Daniel Towns
Daniel draws on his construction experience and his legal training to achieve the best outcomes for his clients. From contract drafting and negotiations to project management and dispute resolution, Daniel is able to effectively advise his clients on all phases of a construction matter.
Daniel guides complex, high-value construction projects from inception through completion — from early concept design and contract formation through delivery of the finished work and the resolution of post-completion claims.
On the transactional side, Daniel represents owners and developers in negotiating and closing design and construction agreements with construction managers, architects, and other design professionals on projects across New York City and beyond, including the redevelopment of a major ski resort and a new professional sports stadium. His experience spans clients ranging from closely held property owners and family offices to major financial institutions and publicly traded real estate companies. His portfolio includes hotels, stadiums, office towers, multifamily and mixed-use developments, and infrastructure projects.
Beyond his transactional practice, Daniel maintains an active disputes practice, handling both alternative dispute resolution and litigation. Daniel has experience with construction defects, mechanics’ liens, RPAPL 881 proceedings, and landlord-tenant disputes with substantial construction components. He has secured significant results for clients, including a multimillion-dollar settlement in a construction defect claim and successfully defeating a motion to dismiss in a high-stakes landlord-tenant matter in which a governmental tenant sought to walk away from a lease, leaving the owner with millions of dollars in unreimbursed development costs.
Daniel also has deep familiarity with federal, state, and New York City public procurement frameworks, including diversity and inclusion requirements (MBE/WBE, SDVOB, and small-business participation goals), New York City predevelopment and funding agreements, ICAP compliance, and ground leases involving the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) or Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) as lease administrators, as well as ground leases with the MTA as landlord. A significant portion of his work involves negotiating and structuring construction access agreements, including licenses for demolition, support of excavation, and protection work on or near neighboring properties, as well as more specialized access arrangements, such as licenses for camera equipment to document nearby business activities and access agreements for law enforcement training exercises. He regularly advises on railroad and utility coordination, insurance and risk allocation, limitations of liability, and incentive fee structures. His work also includes construction-side due diligence for real estate transactions, such as reviewing and evaluating existing design and construction contracts on behalf of new equity participants.
Within the Construction Practice Group, Daniel is known for meticulous research and drafting. This extends to identifying on-point precedent and developing innovative litigation strategies as well as nonbillable matters such as authorship of blog posts and slide decks exploring the field of construction law.
Daniel maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising on the acquisition and redevelopment of a community-based nonprofit in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, and advocating for individuals in New York family court.
Education
Bar Admissions
