Peter W. Nigra

Pete Nigra primarily represents corporations, sole proprietors, and public entities in complex commercial, construction, commercial transportation, surety, and insurance litigation.  Pete also drafts and negotiates construction, nondisclosure, and commercial sales agreements.  He has substantial experience representing owners, prime contractors, subcontractors, and corporations in state and federal courts, as well as commercial AAA arbitration, on projects including construction of skyscrapers, institutional buildings, public transit facilities, residential construction and renovation, and commercial construction, often involving multi-million-dollar claims.  Pete also represents owners and contractors in insurance and surety claims and litigation to secure coverage related to default, delay, workmanship and personal injury claims.

Pete began his career as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge R. Stanton Wettick, Jr. in the trial court of Allegheny County, Complex and Commercial Litigation Center wherein he worked on complex commercial disputes involving multi-national insurance coverage disputes, class actions, and complex civil litigation. Following his clerkship, Pete entered private practice with a mid-sized civil litigation firm wherein he represented clients in construction, premises liability, professional liability, and commercial trucking litigation in Pennsylvania’s state and federal courts. He has also represented clients in products liability and risk management matters.

Pete has been recognized by his peers as a Best Lawyer in America: Ones to Watch in construction litigation, commercial litigation, and insurance law, as well as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star, each year since 2021.

Professional Background

• Dingess, Foster, Luciana, Davidson & Chleboski LLP (2022 – Present)
• Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP (2017 – 2022)
• Hon. Robert Colville, Law Clerk, (2016 – 2017)
• Hon. R. Stanton Wettick, Jr., Law Clerk, (2014 – 2016)

Publications

• The Same Federal Court that Enforced Your Arbitration Clause May Lack Jurisdiction to Enforce the Arbitration Award”, Breaking Ground Magazine, Master Builders Assoc. of Western Pennsylvania, Sept./Oct. 2022
• “Pennsylvania’s statutes of repose and limitations protect contractors in unique ways”, Lawyers Journal, Allegheny County Bar Association, Vol. 22, No. 21, Oct. 9, 2020
• “Contractors Must be Prepared for Zoning and Development Permit application Hearings”, Breaking Ground Magazine, Master Builders Assoc. of Western Pennsylvania, Sept./Oct. 2018

Professional and Civic Activities

Allegheny County Bar Association Construction Law Section Council Member (2022 – present)
Stanton Heights Neighborhood Association, Board of Directors (2020 – present)

Honors

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Construction Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Insurance Law (2021 – 2023)Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2021-2024)

Representative Engagements

• Represent general contractor claimant in AAA arbitration for claims against insurance carrier for eight-figure coverage dispute under subcontractor default insurance policy related to construction in New York, California, Pennsylvania, and Florida
• Counsel for one of the largest public transit agencies in the United States defending against breach claims and asserting claims for contractor default and bad faith surety denial growing from a public construction project for maintenance and facility improvements of public railway system in excess of $100 Million
• Counsel for public transit agency in defense against total cost claim related to demolition, rehabilitation, and improvement of public rail facilities
• Counsel multi-national renewable bio-energy system supplier and contractor in contract negotiation and contract drafting
• Counsel for masonry contractor in defense against claims of poor workmanship related to retaining wall construction
• Counsel for concrete subcontractor in defense against negligence claims related to personal injury action
• Counsel for general contractor in defense against claims of violation of HICPA, negligence, and poor workmanship related to construction of a residential addition
• Counsel for roofing contractor against claims of negligence and poor workmanship
• Counsel for subcontractor in defense against claims of negligence and poor workmanship related to residential remodeling and construction of addition
• Counsel for masonry subcontractor in defense against claims of poor workmanship claiming total loss of new build log home related to foundation wall construction
• Counsel for gas pipeline contractor in defense against claims brought in subrogation related to alleged damages to public water utility main lines
• Counsel for residential homeowners’ association against breach of contract claims asserted by property manager; assertion of claims against property manager for unfair trade practices and deception and breach of contract
• Counsel for commercial trucking company in defense against claims of catastrophic personal injury in excess of $5 million
• Counsel for commercial trucking companies in defense of personal injury and property damage claims in Pennsylvania
• Counsel representing professionals against professional liability claims sounding in architectural malpractice, medical malpractice, and legal malpractice in Pennsylvania and New York