June 21, 2010:  Tom Fink and Fernando Santiago, partners with Davidson Fink LLP, gave a seminar today sponsored by the American Institute of Architects.  The seminar, which was attended by architects and engineers from the Upstate New York area, educated participants on the current status of New York law with regard to design-build.  Topics of discussion included an overview of AIA's recent contract forms, and the Owner-Architect AIA B101 Agreement from the architects’ point of view.  Special attention was given to various insurance and liability issues.  Tom Fink and Fernando Santiago actively represent construction firms, builders, and architects in areas of contract disputes, construction law, and insurance coverage disputes.

Tom Fink has a long history of serving the real estate clients of Davidson Fink LLP.  He has lectured on many construction law-related topics, including the legal rights and responsibilities of architects and engineers on a project and the use and selection of appropriate contract documents.  Part of his practice includes land use planning and zoning, development, acquisitions and sales, tax assessment reductions and real estate-related litigation.  Mr. Fink also has vast experience in all types of government assisted affordable housing transactions.  Mr. Fink received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his LLB from Cornell Law School.  He is a member of the New York State Bar Association.  He is the Former Secretary of the New York State Democratic Party, and the Senior Counsel of the Monroe County Democratic Party, from whom he has also received a lifetime achievement award.  He is also active with the George Eastman House, the Ibero American Action League, the Puerto Rican Youth Development Center, the Urban League, the Jewish Federation of Rochester, and Compeer.

Fernando Santiago is a founding member of the local Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Upstate New York Chapter, and he has published a number of articles on design-build and construction law.  He focuses his legal practice on civil litigation in New York State and Federal Courts, including corporate and commercial transactional work.  Mr. Santiago received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.  He is a member of the Monroe County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Hispanic Bar Association, and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association.  He is also on the Board of Directors for the Volunteer Legal Services Project and for Foodlink, Inc. and Foodlink Foundation.