Richards of KDV named general counsel for STA board

Woodbury, NY According to Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck, LLP (KDV), a leading national law firm, Andrew Richards, chair of the firm’s Construction Practice, has been unanimously approved by the Subcontractors Trade Association’s (STA) board of directors as its general counsel for a five-year term.

STA is New York’s leading association of union subcontractors representing its members in dealing with public agencies, authorities and private developers. Richards has been a member of the STA for more than 25 years. STA’s philosophy centers on dispute resolution between owners, general contractors, construction managers and subcontractors.

“I have been a proud member of this association for more than two decades and am honored to be selected as its general counsel,” said Richards. “My goals are to assist STA in resolving issues with public agencies and promoting legislation that benefits union subcontractors.”

“The STA looks forward to working with Andrew and his advocacy on behalf of our members in an ever increasing regulatory environment that is hostile to the business interests of union construction subcontractors,” said Joseph Leo, president of the board of directors of the STA.

“We have valued Andrew as a member of this association and are extremely fortunate to now have him as general counsel where we will benefit from his legal acumen and knowledge of our issues and goals,” said Hank Kita, executive director of the STA.

In its day-to-day activities, STA represents its members in dealing with public agencies, authorities and private developers. STA’s philosophy centers on dispute resolution without the need for litigation, and the association has served its members for over 50 years in this area. Initiating informational meetings between the owner, the general contractor, the construction manager and the subcontractor have proved to be successful business strategies to advance dispute resolutions, clarify issues and advance best practices. On the rare occasion when this approach has failed to produce results, members may be afforded the services of the STA’s legal counsel. The resulting “umbrella” legal action allows all affected subcontractors to share in a single representation.