Amanda Kraft

Profile

Amanda B. Kraft is an experienced construction law attorney with a deep understanding of the construction process. She counsels nationally located owners, contractors, and subcontractors on the development and construction of complex commercial, industrial, retail and mixed-use development projects. She regularly drafts and negotiates construction, design, professional, and master service contracts, utilizing traditional project delivery systems as well as construction management; engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), and design/build systems.

She also advises public entities in developing internal construction and procurement policies and risk evaluation. She leverages her experience to assist clients with preparing and reviewing requests for proposal (RFPs) and bid documents, including template agreements and other internal documents. Amanda advises business owners in commercial and contract matters as well as real estate investment trust (REIT) and contractor construction project teams and in-house legal counsel regarding project risk management, mechanics’ lien policy, prompt payment policy, and standard construction practices in the retail/mixed-use sectors throughout the U.S.

Amanda has also served as lead counsel, representing her clients in state and federal courts and briefing and arguing three matters before the Pennsylvania Superior Court. One appellate argument involved successfully representing an intervening commercial condominium association in a dispute related to a $20 million infrastructure improvement plan.

Before joining McNees, Amanda practiced at Blumling & Gusky LLP, a Pittsburgh-based boutique construction law firm, where she counseled business owners in corporate and contract matters and represented creditors and lien holders in connection with various execution proceedings, including sheriff sales and mortgage foreclosures.

Amanda is regularly invited to speak and write on construction and procurement law topics, including at ICSC+CENTERBUILD, a national conference for designers, architects, engineers, tenants, retailers and top decision makers in the construction industry. She has contributed her knowledge on topics such as project risk management for owners and contractors, Pennsylvania mechanics’ lien law, force majeure, and drafting and negotiating construction contracts.

She is a current board member and former president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction, an organization that unites for the mutual benefit of women actively engaged in the various phases of the construction industry.

When she is not practicing law, Amanda spends time and travels with her husband and stepdaughter. She enjoys trying new restaurants, reading, and watching bad movies.