Michael C. Zisa

Mike was a summer associate with Seeger Faughnan Mendicino PC in 2000, then joined the firm as an associate in September 2001, and became a partner in January 2007.  Mike’s primary areas of practice include construction and surety litigation.  In this regard, he has successfully represented sureties, general contractors, subcontractors, and owners in disputes before federal and state courts as well as in various alternative dispute resolution forums.  Recently, he successfully had a surety client dismissed on summary judgment from a $2 million performance bond claim, had the decision affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and obtained the surety an award of its attorneys’ fees.

In addition to a construction and surety practice, Mike represents various business entities ranging from sole proprietorships to Fortune 500 companies with regard to various types of transactional work and litigation relating to commercial and employment law.

Although well-versed in the litigation process, Mike takes pride in assisting and counseling his clients to avoid litigation when possible with effective risk avoidance planning and preemptive actions.

Education

• Seton Hall University, School of Law (J.D., 2001)
• Susquehanna University (B.A., 1998)

Bar Memberships and Court Admissions

• Virginia, 2008
• District of Columbia, 2002
• Maryland, 2001
• New Jersey, 2001
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
• U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
• U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Maryland
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia

Association Memberships

• American Bar Association (Construction Industry Forum, Fidelity and Surety Law section, and Litigation section)
• District of Columbia Bar Association (Government Contract and Litigation section)
• Maryland Bar Association
• Montgomery County Maryland Bar Association
• Virginia State Bar

Reported Cases and Publications

• Hunt Constr. Group, Inc. v. National Wrecking Corp., 587 F.3d 1119 (D.C. Cir. 2009) affirming, Hunt Const. Group, Inc. v. National Wrecking Corp., 542 F.Supp.2d 87 (D.D.C. 2008)
• Flemming Zulack and Williamson LLP v. Dunbar, 549 F.Supp.2d 98 (D.D.C. 2008)
• U.S. ex rel. Walker Seal Companies, Inc. v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 356 F.Supp.2d 1 (D.D.C. 2005)
• Co-Author, Researching Bankruptcy Law on the Internet, The Construction Lawyer (Spring, 2002)
• Co-Author, The District of Columbia Practice Manual, Government Contracts Section (11th Ed. 2002)

Speaking Appearances and Lectures

• Presenter on Performance Bond Surety’s Right to Complete to HCC Surety Group (Fall, 2010)
• Presenter on Subcontracting Issues to NECA and SMACNA Maryland Chapters (various dates, 2008-2009)
• Co-organizer, Seminar on Federal Mentor-Protégé Program (Winter, 2004)
• Co-organizer, Seminar on Opportunities for Small and Growing Businesses with the District of Columbia and Federal Government (Winter, 2003)