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Joseph C. Kovars

Shareholder
Baltimore
T: 410.862.1143
F: 443.263.7543
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Joe Kovars is the former co-chair of Baker Donelson's Construction Group.

Professional Biography

Mr. Kovars concentrates his practice in construction and public contracts law. He is the former co-chair of Baker Donelson's Construction Group.

He represents contractors, subcontractors, sureties and owners in contract formation, and construction disputes involving many types of construction projects.

Mr. Kovars' experience as first chair litigator in large and complex cases includes appearances before federal and state courts, trial and appellate levels, boards of contract appeals and the comptroller general. He also acts as an arbitrator and mediator in resolving disputes.

He has extensive experience with contract interpretation disputes, delay and impact claims, contract terminations, bid protests, mechanics' liens, bond claims and injunctions. Mr. Kovars has participated in approximately 70 arbitrations as an arbitrator and as an attorney.

Mr. Kovars has been recognized in several publications as one of the leading attorneys in construction law. This recognition was confirmed by Mr. Kovars' election to the American College of Construction Lawyers in 2014. Mr. Kovars is also the editor-in-chief of the Maryland Construction Law Deskbook (2nd Ed., 2017 Maryland State Bar Association).

Professional Memberships

  • Member – American Bar Association
    • Forum on the Construction Industry
      • Governing Committee
    • Section on Public Contract Law
    • Litigation Section
      • Construction Cases Committee
  • Certified by the American Arbitration Association as Construction Industry Arbitrator, Advanced Training
  • Certified by the Maryland State Bar Association as a mediator, 40 hours training
  • Member – District of Columbia Bar Association
    • Section on Government Contracts
  • Member – Maryland State Bar Association
    • Construction Law Section
    • Public Contracts Law Committee
      • Past Co-chair

Honoraries

  • Listed in Maryland Super Lawyers, Construction Litigation (2007 – 2013, 2015 – 2023); Construction (2014, 2020); Real Estate (2014) 
  • Listed in Chambers USA as a leading Construction lawyer in Maryland (2021 – 2023)
  • Listed in The Legal 500, Construction (2015)
  • Fellow – American College of Construction Lawyers (2014)
  • Listed in The International Who's Who of Construction Lawyers (2013, 2015, 2019, 2020)
  • Listed in Who's Who Legal: Thought Leaders – Construction (2019, 2020)
  • Listed since 2003 in The Best Lawyers in America®, Construction and Litigation – Construction Categories; named the Best Lawyers® 2015 Litigation – Construction "Lawyer of the Year" in Baltimore; named the Best Lawyers® 2024 Construction Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Baltimore
  • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Fellow – American Bar Foundation
  • Principal, Ober|Kaler
  • Partner, Blum, Yumkas, Mailman, Gutman & Denick, P.A.
  • Associate and Partner, Braude & Margulies
  • Law Clerk, the Honorable Judge John P. Wiese, U.S. Court of Claims
  • Presenter – "Change Orders in Maryland," Lorman Education Services (2014)
  • Presenter – "Construction Contracting for Embassy Officials," DMS Construction Consulting Services (2013)
  • Co-presenter – "The Do's and Don'ts of Government Construction Contracts," Webinar, Ober|Kaler (2012)
  • Presenter – "Fundamentals of Construction Law: What to Do When the Project Stops," Forum on the Construction Industry and Center for Professional Development, American Bar Association (2012)

Practices

Industries

Education

  • George Washington University Law School, J.D., 1978, with honors
    • Legal Assistant – Government Contracts Office
  • Boston University, B.A., 1975, magna cum laude

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Featured Media

Baker Donelson Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 Listing
Press Release / August 17, 2023
Chambers USA Ranks 80 Baker Donelson Attorneys in 2023 Edition
Press Release / June 2, 2023
Maryland Construction Law Deskbook
Publication / May 30, 2023

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