Philip R. Croessmann

Senior Partner

Phone: (703) 946-7075
Office: (703) 483-3550

8000 Towers Crescent Dr #1575
Tysons, Virginia 22182

Philip joined the firm on a full-time basis in January of 2020. Having recently retired from his position as General Counsel for MWH Constructors, Inc., he continues to represent MWH Constructors, Inc. as Outside General Counsel. With over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Philip leads the firm’s construction practice. Philip has been involved in every stage of the risk management process, from governance, drafting and negotiating contracts, setting-up record keeping procedures, project accounting, FAR compliance, scheduling and mapping out overall strategies for claim management. He has also advised many architectural and engineering firms on their business including ownership transition, M&A, and business strategies. In addition, Philip co-founded an AEC firm where he led the acquisition of several A&E firms, as well as the organic growth of the construction operations; he served as general counsel and senior partner of the AEC firm, as well as president of an architectural firm that specialized in forensic, litigation support, and expert witness services.

Previously, Philip served as a lobbyist and deputy general counsel for the American Institute of Architects in Washington, DC. Philip is also active in industry associations, and is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects and served as President on the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the AIA. He is an active member in the American Bar Association’s Construction Forum. He is actively involved in alternative dispute resolution. He has served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

J.D., University of Syracuse College of Law, 1980

B.S., University of Oregon School of Architect and Allied Arts

B.A, University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts, 1976

Virginia Bar

District of Columbia Bar

New York Bar

Washington State Bar

Virginia Class A Contractor’s License

Distinguished Leadership Award, AIA No. Va. Chapter
Recognition of Service to the Chapter, AIA No. Va. Chapter

Recordkeeping Guide for Design Firms, (ACEC Guidelines to Practice, 1985)
Construction Litigation Formbook, (Co-Author, Wiley Law Pub., 1991-1993)
"Ownership Transition," Design Professional’s Handbook of Business and Law, (Wiley Law Pub., 1993)
"Design Build" and "Partnering," Construction Joint Ventures, (Wiley Law Pub., 1993)
Expert Witnesses, Construction Cases - Working with your Construction Expert. (Thompson West 2009)
"Getting Paid," (CSI Regional Conference, 1989-1990, and Build Virginia AIA Regional Convention, 1996-1997)
"Defending Architects & Engineers in Asbestos Litigation," (28th Annual Invited Attorneys Meeting sponsored by CNA Insurance Co., AIA and NSPE, 1989)
"Strategies for Managing Asbestos Liability in the 1990s," (National Asbestos Council, N.W. Reg. Conference, 1990)
“How Much Are We Worth," (North)
"DPIC Contract Review Workshop," (AIA/SW WA Chapter, 1994 and CEC/MW, NOVA AIA 1998)
"Partnering Seminar," (Heavy Construction Contractors Association, 1994)
"TQM and Design/Build: Controlling Liabilities," (American Society for Quality Control, AEC Division, 1994)
"The Application of Strict Liability for Work Practice Standards, (Virginia Environmental Council, 6th Annual Convention, 1995)
"Maximizing Your Insurance Coverage," (National Electrical Contractors Association 95th Convention, 1996)
"Negotiating The Contract Without Killing the Deal," (AIA Build Virginia Regional Convention, 1996 and Professional Environmental Marketing Assoc., 1997)
“How Design Documents can Prevent or Cause Construction Claims in Virginia” (Lorman Educational Services, 2006)
“Profit by Design – Mergers and Acquisitions as a Strategy for Growth” (AIA/Los Angeles, 2006 and SMPS/PSMA National Conference, 2008)
“Building Codes in Virginia” (Lorman Educational Services, 2008)
“Managing the Risks of Design and Construction Defects” (CMAA National Convention, 2008)