Tony is a litigator and prominent construction lawyer who works with clients throughout the construction industry: contractors, owners, developers, and public authorities. His practice includes representing clients in significant construction litigation, arbitrations, and mediations, and counseling them on contract drafting, bidding matters, and project-related disputes. He is frequently invited to speak about construction law developments and alternative dispute resolution. In addition to his multifaceted construction practice, he also advises a major gaming company on litigation and regulatory matters related to the development and construction of a major casino resort.
Tony is Co-chair of the firm's Construction Law Practice Group and a Member of the Litigation Practice. He represents contractors, owners, developers, and public authorities across a wide range of construction-related issues in both the public and private sectors including contract drafting, bidding issues, job problems, change order disputes, mechanics’ liens, bond claims, terminations, and delay claims.
Tony has represented clients in numerous major construction trials, arbitrations, and mediations. He is a frequent lecturer in the area of construction law, particularly in the area of arbitration and mediation of construction disputes.
In addition to Tony’s construction practice, he has represented the gaming company Wynn MA LLC on various matters since 2014. This representation includes surrounding community arbitrations, challenges in state court, hearings before the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, and adjudicatory proceedings before the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in connection with the development of a destination resort style casino facility.
Tony is a litigator and prominent construction lawyer who works with clients throughout the construction industry: contractors, owners, developers, and public authorities. His practice includes representing clients in significant construction litigation, arbitrations, and mediations, and counseling them on contract drafting, bidding matters, and project-related disputes. He is frequently invited to speak about construction law developments and alternative dispute resolution. In addition to his multifaceted construction practice, he also advises a major gaming company on litigation and regulatory matters related to the development and construction of a major casino resort.
Experience
Construction Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Represented an independent authority in an investigation of contractor compliance with the federally mandated disadvantaged business enterprise program.
- Represented a municipal water and sewer authority in court, arbitration, and mediation against a design-builder of a combined sewer separation project. Authority terminated the design builder for performance and design failures.
- Represented the lead engineering procurement and construction contractor in a multi-million dollar, 34-day, three-party arbitration arising out of the failure of the wastewater treatment plant at a pulp and paper de-inking facility.
- Represented the developer of mixed-use condominium project in court against a terminated general contractor asserting a claim of wrongful termination.
- Represented the general contractor on major hospital renovation project against bankrupt millwork subcontractor’s performance bond surety in a 9 day arbitration for delay and impact damages.
- Represented the managing member of limited liability company in an arbitration brought by minority member asserting claims of breach of fiduciary duty and failure to comply with Delaware LLC Act in connection with the development of a mixed-use condominium project.
- Represented a design-builder in mediation against a design consultant on several major highway and bridge design-build projects for design failures including inadequate estimating.
- Represented a major university in court and mediation on construction and design claims against a builder and architect on a $250 million science, classroom, and research facility.
- Represented an excavation and garage contractor against a construction manager in a 16 day arbitration for wrongful termination.
- Represented a large contractor in a multi-million dollar differing site condition claim against an owner on the 9 ½ mile Outfall Tunnel Project for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.
- Represented a large dredging company in a multimillion-dollar action against the US Army Corps of Engineers including a trial in Court of Claims. Case arose out of survey practices employed by the Corps on the dredging of a major shipping channel in New York-New Jersey Harbor.
Construction Law & Counseling
- Negotiated a settlement for two national construction companies to avoid False Claims Act suit over a $100M+ public project involving alleged failure to comply with minority and women-owned business enterprise requirements; prepared witnesses for government depositions, saved significant legal costs by narrowing subpoena scope, and secured favorable agreement allowing continued work on public construction projects.
- Represent a variety of owners and contractors on drafting and negotiating multiple contract forms (AIA, custom forms).
- Revised owner, contractor, and subcontractor contract payment provisions to comply with new Massachusetts Prompt Pay and Retainage Law.
- Represented an independent authority in an investigation of contractor compliance with the federally mandated disadvantaged business enterprise program.
- Represent of a variety of owners and contractors on contract performance issues, change orders, and schedule issues.
- Served as outside counsel for the Massachusetts Port Authority in connection with the $1.2 billion modernization program at Boston’s Logan Airport. This engagement included detailed contract review, bid protest advice and hearings, and construction claims review and litigation.
Gaming
- Representation of gaming company Wynn MA LLC in multiple hearings before Massachusetts Gaming Commission during successful licensing process.
- Representation of Wynn MA LLC in surrounding community arbitrations against Somerville and Chelsea.
- Representation of Wynn MA LLC in court challenge to Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (“MEPA”) Certificate brought by neighboring community Somerville.
- Representation of Wynn MA LLC in Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection adjudicatory proceeding brought by Somerville challenging Wynn MA LLC’s Chapter 91 License.
viewpoints
Six Contracting Tips for Property Owners and Real Estate Developers to Protect Themselves from Contractor Distress and Related Bankruptcy Filings
May 5, 2021 | Blog | By Caitie Hill, Tim McKeon, Samuel M. Tony Starr
What the COVID-19 Pandemic Means for Force Majeure Provisions
March 13, 2020 | Alert | By Samuel M. Tony Starr, Kaitlyn C. Leonard , Clare Prober
What You Need to Know about Force Majeure in Light of the Coronavirus
March 10, 2020 | Alert | By Samuel M. Tony Starr, Kaitlyn C. Leonard , Clare Prober
Claimants Need Not Record Complaints to Enforce Lien Dissolution Bonds Under
May 28, 2019 | Blog | By Samuel M. Tony Starr, Kevin Mortimer
What In-House Counsel Need To Know About Their Form Arbitration Clauses - Ten Foundation Questions
August 16, 2017 | Blog | By Samuel M. Tony Starr
Educational Institutions Targeted in Fraudulent Payment Requests
August 26, 2016 | Blog | By Samuel M. Tony Starr
News & Press
23 Mintz Attorneys Named to Boston Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” List
November 22, 2024
23 Mintz attorneys have been named to Boston Magazine’s 2024 “Top Lawyers” list.
Mintz is pleased to announce that 31 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 35 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2024.
The Best Lawyers in America 2025 Recognizes 184 Mintz Attorneys across 56 Practice Areas
August 15, 2024
187 Mintz attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, three Mintz attorneys received 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 64 firm attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
Mintz announced today that 42 of its practices and 83 of its attorneys earned recognition in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA, a guide to the country’s leading law firms. Of those included in the guide, 18 attorneys and seven practice areas were awarded Chambers’ highest ranking, Band 1. The firm obtained new listings in three practice areas and 10 of its lawyers were recognized for the first time.
Twenty-Five Mintz Attorneys Named To Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List
November 21, 2023
BOSTON – Twenty-five Mintz attorneys have been named to Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers list.
Fifty-Nine Attorneys Recognized as 2023 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
October 12, 2023
Mintz is pleased to announce that 32 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 27 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2023.
Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
BOSTON – Samuel M. Tony Starr, Co-Chair of Mintz's Construction Law Practice Group and a Member of the Litigation Practice, has been recognized with the 2023 Community Award for Outstanding Support by the League of Women for Community Service for his pro bono efforts in offering invaluable construction and contract advice for the restoration of their historic building in Boston.
BOSTON – Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2023 edition of Legal 500 United States guide. The firm is recognized in 14 practice categories, and 59 individual attorneys are also recognized in the guide, some in more than one category.
BOSTON –Mintz announced today that 39 of its practices and 81 of its attorneys earned recognition in the 2023 edition of Chambers USA, a guide to the country’s leading law firms.
Twenty-Eight Mintz Attorneys Named To Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List
November 22, 2022
In its second annual edition, 28 Mintz attorneys were named to Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers list.
35 Mintz attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 25 Mintz attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2022.
Best Lawyers® recognized 108 firm attorneys in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, two Mintz attorneys – Poonam Patidar and Scott M. Stanton – received 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 28 firm attorneys were included in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
Contractor Distress, Construction Law, and Bankruptcy
January 14, 2022
Judge Strictly Construes Prompt Payment Act
December 14, 2020
Post-COVID-19 General Conditions Revisions for Contractors
August 6, 2020
Civil RICO Report: Court Finds No Pattern of Racketeering Activity
January 17, 2020
Federal Judge Dismisses Claims Against Wynn Resorts Filed by Former Suffolk Downs Owner
November 18, 2019
Eighty-Four Mintz Attorneys Named 2016 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
October 18, 2016
Wynn tries to sink boat trip data on casino
June 3, 2016
Former DEP head calls Wynn permit ‘a clear outlier’
June 2, 2016
Events & Speaking
Emerging Contractor's Risk Toolkit
Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts
888 Worcester Street, Suite 40 Wellesley MA 02482
Maximizing the Benefits of Arbitration for Development and Construction Disputes
Massachusetts Bar Association
Boston, MA
Anatomy of a Development Part 3: Construction Contracts and Architect’s Agreements
Boston Bar Association
Boston, MA
IFMA Boston's Facility Management Roundtable
International Facility Management Association, Boston Chapter
Elaine Construction
Public Construction Bid Protests: Practice and Procedure before the Office of the Attorney General
Boston Bar Association
16 Beacon Street Boston, MA
What a Poor Clause Can Cause: Drafting an Effective Arbitration Clause
ACC-Northeast and JAMS
One Beacon St. Suite 2210 Boston, MA
Tony is a litigator and prominent construction lawyer who works with clients throughout the construction industry: contractors, owners, developers, and public authorities. His practice includes representing clients in significant construction litigation, arbitrations, and mediations, and counseling them on contract drafting, bidding matters, and project-related disputes. He is frequently invited to speak about construction law developments and alternative dispute resolution. In addition to his multifaceted construction practice, he also advises a major gaming company on litigation and regulatory matters related to the development and construction of a major casino resort.
Recognition & Awards
Chambers USA: Massachusetts- Construction Law: Band 1 (2020-2024)
Massachusetts Super Lawyers: Construction Litigation (2006 – 2024)
Best Lawyers in America: Litigation – Construction, Construction Law (2012 – 2025)
Boston Magazine Top Lawyers – Construction Litigation (2021 - 2024)
Best Lawyers in America, "Lawyer of the Year": Boston Litigation - Construction (2018,2019 & 2021)
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
Legal 500, "Leading Lawyer": Construction (2023-2024)
Tony is a litigator and prominent construction lawyer who works with clients throughout the construction industry: contractors, owners, developers, and public authorities. His practice includes representing clients in significant construction litigation, arbitrations, and mediations, and counseling them on contract drafting, bidding matters, and project-related disputes. He is frequently invited to speak about construction law developments and alternative dispute resolution. In addition to his multifaceted construction practice, he also advises a major gaming company on litigation and regulatory matters related to the development and construction of a major casino resort.
Involvement
- Member, ABA Forum on the Construction Industry
- Member, Gaming Law Committee, ABA Business Law Section
- Member, MBA Construction Law Practice Group
- Member, MBA Civil Litigation Section
- Member, BBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
- Member, BBA Construction Law Committee
- Board of Directors, Association of General Contractors (AGC) of Massachusetts
- Member, Construction Industries of Massachusetts (CIM)
- Board member; Founding member; Co-chair, Development Committee; Co-chair, Leadership Council: The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare
- Presidential Appointee to the Board; Chair, Security Task Force; Past Vice President of Administration; Past Chair, Building Committee: Temple Beth Elohim
- Member, Corporation; Past Member, Facilities Committee: Belmont Hill School