Wendy K. Venoit

• 2014 International Who’s Who of Construction Law
• 2013 International Who’s Who of Construction Law
• Hartford Business Journal, “40 Under Forty” Business Professionals (2007)
• Connecticut Law Tribune, New Leaders of the Law Award for “Development of the Law” (2005)
• Martindale Hubbell – AV Preeminent Rated
• MS Society, Connecticut Chapter “Corporate Achiever” Award (2008)
• Law School Valedictorian

Member, Cozen O’Connor, Jan. 2022 – present

Partner, Hinckley Allen & Snyder, Sept. 2016 – Jan. 2022

Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Suffolk Construction Company, Inc., March 2015-Sept. 2016

Partner, McElroy Deutsch Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP (f/k/a Pepe & Hazard LLP), July 1999-March 2015.

Associate, Melito & Adolfsen PC (f/k/a Siff Rosen PC), New York, NY, Sept 1996-June 1999

Wendy Venoit is a member in the Construction Law Group of Cozen O’Connor.  Her practice focuses exclusively on the litigation and arbitration of domestic and international construction disputes, including litigation in state and federal forums and mediation and arbitration before the AAA, JAMS, LCIA, ICDR and ICC.  She primarily represents EPC contractors, general contractors and construction managers, but has also represented owners.  She is an experienced trial attorney, having handled dozens of construction disputes, some involving claims in excess of $1 billion.  She is also regularly called upon to counsel clients during the course of construction projects so as to avoid disputes, but (if necessary) to develop, prosecute and defend claims. She has particularly broad experience in handling international construction disputes, having served as an advocate in two ICC arbitrations (one in New York and one in London), an LCIA arbitration in London, and multiple ICDR arbitrations in New York and elsewhere in the United States. She is an effective and impressive advocate who has obtained outstanding results for her clients, while adhering to the cost-conscious goals of arbitration.  Wendy also has extensive experience prosecuting and defending complex insurance disputes arising out of construction projects. S

he also serves as an arbitrator and is a member of the panel of construction neutrals of the AAA (Construction), ICDR, CPR (Construction, Insurance Policy Holder Coverage, and Boston at Large ADR Panels), LCIA, and ICC and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.  Her experience as an arbitrator makes her uniquely suited to view the case from “both sides” and to present her client’s case in the most effective and efficient way possible. 

Prior to joining Cozen, Wendy was the Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary for Suffolk Construction Company, Inc.  (an ENR Top 30 Construction Firm).  In that role, she provided legal advice to the Executive Committee, corporate departments and regional management; oversaw the negotiation of the company’s largest construction management agreements; proactively worked with management to identify risk on construction projects and implement risk mitigation plans; managed and worked with outside counsel on litigation matters, and, generally, handled all legal matters for the corporation.  From that experience, Wendy has gained insights that allow her to better understand her clients and the internal dynamics and challenges that they face. She is well regarded by her peers both in the U.S. and abroad, and is known for her aggressive, yet professional, approach to litigation and arbitration.

• Professional Women in Construction, CT Chapter:  Wendy was a founder of this Chapter and has served as the Treasurer (2012-2015), President (2007-2009, 2011-2012), Secretary (2005-2007), General Counsel, and as a Board member (2010-2011).
• ABA Forum on Construction Law:  Wendy is heavily involved in the ABA Forum on Construction Law.  Wendy was the Chair of the Forum from 2017-2018.  Prior to being elected as Chair, Wendy served on the Forum Governing Committee for 4 years and as Chair of the Membership Committee of the Forum for 3 years.  She is a former Chair of the International Construction Division (Division 8) and was co-chair of the 2009 Midwinter Meeting and Governing Committee liaison for the 2014 Annual Meeting in New Orleans.
• International Bar Association (IBA), International Construction Projects group
• American Arbitration Association (AAA), Council Member
• AAA/ICDR Panelist:  National Construction Panel, Mega-Projects Panel and ICDR Panel
• International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), International Advisory Committee & Arbitrator
• Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Member; North American Branch, Board Member and Boston Chapter Co-Chair
• CPR: International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, Panel of Distinguished Neutrals – Insurance Policy Holder Coverage Panel, Construction Panel and Boston at Large ADR Panel (Commercial)
• Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity:  Treasurer (2009-2013), and former Board Member.
• Women in Construction: Board Member
• Girl Scouts USA:  National Board Development Committee Member

See detailed list on Wendy’s firm webpage — www.cozen.com

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• State of Connecticut
• State of New Hampshire
• State of New Jersey
• State of New York
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 2d Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 3d Circuit
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims
• U.S. District Court, Cent. Distr. IL
• U.S. District Court, CT
• U.S. District Court, District of NH
• U.S. District Court, District of NJ
• U.S. District Court, District of MA
• U.S. District Court, EDNY
• U.S. District Court, NDNY
• U.S. District Court, SDNY