Joseph R. Harbeson
Partner

Joseph R. Harbeson is a partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, where he is Chair of the firm’s Construction Practice Group, and a member of the Litigation Department and the Employment Law Practice Group.

Mr. Harbeson practices construction law, including contracts, project transactional work and compliance with trust fund obligations, as well as all types of construction and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience in disputes arising out of construction projects, including mechanic’s liens, public bidding and issues involving performance and payment bond sureties; municipal law, including Article 78 and plenary challenges to governmental action; landlord/tenant and other real estate disputes, including challenges to municipal zoning actions; transportation, particularly relating to the school bus industry; negligence and contract disputes; and appellate practice in all areas.

In employment, in addition to advising clients on compliance with the myriad statutes and regulations governing employment relationships, he has handled a wide range of labor and discrimination matters, successfully representing clients in claims of racial, religious and disability discrimination, both in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies. He has defended “hybrid” claims involving wrongful termination of union employees coupled with claims of union breaches of the duty of fair representation, and has represented employers in labor arbitrations. In addition, he has advised clients and litigated employment disputes arising out of the break up of partnerships and close corporations.

Mr. Harbeson is an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Tuckahoe and is a member of the Nassau and Westchester County Bar Associations and the New York State Bar Association. He has a substantial interest in sustainable building and is active in the U.S. Green Building Council – Long Island Chapter, where he currently serves as the Co-Chair of the chapter’s Advocacy Committee.

At St. John’s, in addition to being counsel to the Vestry, he serves as a Warden and member of the Vestry, chairs the Stewardship and Cemetery Committees and sings in the choir.

Presentations

• Demonstrative Evidence in Construction: Practical and Evidentiary Issues, February 2010
• The New Ethics: New York’s Rules of Professional Conduct (March 2009)
• Green Building: What It Is, What You Need to Know and Why (February 2007)
• It’s Not Your Money: Understanding New York’s Lien Law Trust Fund Provisions (December 2005)