Leah Rochwarg manages a transactional and dispute resolution practice focused primarily on construction law, real estate, and complex commercial matters. Clients value her creativity and collaboration and her ability to identify and develop goals, engineer solutions, maximize value, and achieve optimal results.
Leah works with developers, investors, corporate real estate departments, and business, legal and risk management teams to advance their interests in the construction and development of real estate. She counsels clients at all stages of construction and development projects, from assisting with the drafting of requests for proposals, through the negotiation of contract documents, to providing project and contract administration assistance and dispute avoidance advice, the preparation and analysis of claims, and dispute resolution.
As project counsel, Leah works on a wide variety of projects including industrial and mixed use development, multifamily housing, hospitality, manufacturing, schools, and build-to-suit leasehold interests. She advises clients throughout the feasibility, development, construction, commissioning, and project close-out phases, counseling clients regarding contract disputes and issues including design and construction services procurement, bid protests, claims for delay/disruption, defective design and construction, payment and performance, payment and performance bond enforcement, insurance disputes, and risk management and conflict avoidance measures.
Leah also represents clients in matters involving government investigations, including allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse. She is a LEED® Accredited Professional.
Before Bowditch
Leah joined Bowditch after more than 15 years as a partner at a global law firm while also serving as an instructor for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA).
Besides Work
Leah enjoys spending time with family and friends (including four-legged ones). She also enjoys gardening, cooking, and painting.
Affiliations
- Charter Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America
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Member, Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts
- Co-Chair, Construction Law Committee, Boston Bar Association
- Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
- Member, Forum on Construction Law, American Bar Association
- Member, Real Estate Bar Association
- Member, Boston Bar Association
- Member, Women’s Bar Association
- Member, Essex County Bar Association
- Senior Editor and Editorial Board Member, Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction
Previous
- Energy and Environmental Task Force, Massachusetts Bar Association
- Board Member, National Association of Women in Construction
- Co-Chair, Real Estate Section, Boston Bar Association
- Massachusetts Special Education Surrogate Parent
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America, selected by her peers for inclusion in the field of Construction Law (since 2021) and Litigation Construction (2023)
Articles + Talks
Talks
- “Introducing EJCDCs New CM as Advisor Contract Document Series,” American Bar Association, April 7, 2022
- “Introduction to Construction Litigation,” Real Estate Bar Association for Massachusetts, March 24, 2022
- “Understanding Massachusetts Prompt Pay Act,” Boston Bar Association, June 23, 2021 (Moderator)
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- Florida
- District of Columbia
Education
- J.D., University of Miami School of Law
- B.S.B.A., University of Massachusetts Lowell
Events + Recordings
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Leah Rochwarg Co-Presented “Introducing EJCDCs New CM as Advisor Contract Document Series” for the American Bar Association (Webinar)
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Leah Rochwarg Co-Presented “Introduction to Construction Litigation” for the Real Estate Bar Association for Massachusetts (Webinar)
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Leah Rochwarg Moderated “Understanding Massachusetts Prompt Pay Act” (Webinar)
News
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22 Bowditch Attorneys Recognized in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and 5 Bowditch Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™
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Leah Rochwarg Quoted in “Appeals Court strictly construes Prompt Payment Act” in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
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13 Bowditch Attorneys Named 2022 Best Lawyers in America©
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Press Release: Demonstrating Commitment to Excellence in Law, Bowditch & Dewey Becomes Boston Bar Association Sponsor Firm