Justin Leonelli focuses his practice on strategic counseling and dispute resolution in the areas of construction and engineering, manufacturing and supply, energy (conventional and renewable), and commercial disputes. Justin takes pride in providing results-oriented legal solutions to help clients navigate complex challenges, mitigate risk, and secure favorable outcomes.
Construction and Engineering
Justin represents owners, contractors, developers, design professionals, and suppliers on public and private construction projects globally. He services clients through all project phases as both project counsel and litigation counsel. Some representative projects include:
- Energy: Power plants, pipelines, oil refineries, natural gas transmission facilities, solar fields, wind farms (onshore and offshore), battery storage facilities, coal mines, etc.
- Civil and Manufacturing: Transportation (rail, road, and air), steel manufacturing mills, rubber production plants, food production facilities, etc.
- Commercial Development: Luxury apartments and condominiums, commercial office buildings, retail development, storage facilities, universities, etc.
Manufacturing and Supply
Justin assists clients in negotiating supply agreements and navigating manufacturing-related disputes. He has significant experience with domestic and international supply issues that implicate both the Uniform Commercial Code and United Nations Convention on Contracts. Justin has worked on supply and manufacturing matters involving turbo machinery, diesel generator sets, steel and building materials, butyl and rubber products, chemicals and plastics, coal and energy units, and precision metal components, among others.
Energy
Justin assists clients throughout the energy industry with contract negotiation and dispute resolution, with his practice encompassing both conventional and renewable energy. Justin has handled energy disputes involving wind and solar farms, midstream operations and pipelines, coal burning facilities, and oil refineries, among others.
Complex Commercial
Justin regularly represents clients in complex commercial litigation and international arbitration disputes involving breach of contract, fraud, various consumer protection acts, employment, defamation, commission disputes, and business tort claims.
Prior to joining the firm, Justin was an associate at an international law firm where he focused on construction, energy, commercial litigation, and international arbitration. Justin is currently a member of the Hiring Committee for the Pittsburgh office.
During law school, Justin worked as a legal intern for the nation's largest provider of shared communications infrastructure.
- Allegheny County Council Proclamation
- CALI Excellence for the Future Award, Legal Research & Writing
- CALI Excellence for the Future Award, Advanced Legal Writing: Writing in Law Practice
- Best Appellate Brief in Academic Mock Appeal
- Society of Construction Law - North America, Regional Director – Delaware Valley Region
- Allegheny County Bar Association - Construction Section, Member
- Allegheny County Bar Association - Young Lawyers Division, Member
- New Century Careers, Director (2017-2021)
- “Design-Build Projects: Key Issues; Drafting to Mitigate Risk for Contractors, Design Professionals, and Owners,” Strafford Publication, February 2024 and April 2025
- “Anticipating New Tariffs: Impact on U.S. Construction Projects and Key Strategies to Mitigate Risk,” Strafford Publication, March 2025
- "Ethics of Your Allegations and the $1 Counterclaim,” Energy & Mineral Law Foundation Conference, June 2024
- "International Arbitration and Construction Disputes,” K&L Gates Under the Wire Seminar, April 2024
- "Instant Communication and Advances in Technology: Exchanging Ethical Dilemmas and Increased Expectations for Convenience and Efficiency," Dean John J. Sciullo Fundamentals of Law Continuing Education Series, April 2015
Justin grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, where he attended Cardinal Mooney High School. He now resides in a northern suburb of Pittsburgh. In his spare time, Justin likes to golf and visit with family and friends.
- K&L Gates, AAA Amendments to the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures (September 2022)
- Reed Smith, Global Construction Update: The Sustainability Issue, European Contracting Practices Present Challenges to U.S.-based Offshore Wind (June 2022)
- K&L Gates, COVID-19: Pennsylvania Construction Amid COVID-19 (April 2020)
- K&L Gates, An Overview of Pennsylvania’s New Arbitration Law (August 2019)
- “Amendments to Federal Rule of Evidence 902,” The Legal Intelligencer, 1 November 2017
- Dormant Commerce Clause Review of a Lifecycle Analysis Regulation: Rocky Mountain Farmers Union v. Corey, 3 JOULE ENERGY & ENVTL. L.J. 2, 11 November 2014
