Nicholas M. Centrella, Jr.

Associate

  • Nicholas M. Centrella, Jr.
  • Phone: +1 215 979 1850

    Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris LLP
    30 South 17th Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19103-4196
    USA

Nicholas M. Centrella, Jr. practices in the area of construction and commercial litigation, representing general contractors, EPC contractors, franchise developers, and energy and gas companies in a wide variety of business disputes arising from commercial, residential, renewable energy, and franchise development projects of all sizes.  

Nick maintains an active construction practice, representing clients in cases arising from construction defects, construction delays, breaches of contract, lien foreclosures, and other payment disputes. Nick has served as counsel for clients in complex multi-party construction suits, such as a construction manager involved in litigation arising from the construction of a hotel project, and the general contractor defending and prosecuting claims arising from the construction of a solar energy project. Nick also represents companies and individuals in disputes over home renovation projects and Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act cases, as well as mechanic’s lien proceedings.

Nick also represents a variety of clients in high-value commercial disputes, such as a franchisee group in a claim for breach of a contract granting international development rights, litigation against an energy company arising from a contract for services performed on a natural gas well, and other various individuals and entities in contract disputes and warranty actions with vendors, suppliers, and other parties. As part of his franchise practice, Nick also frequently counsels developers and negotiates franchise development agreements on their behalf. Nick also has experience representing individuals and entities in partnership disputes involving closely held private corporations.

Nick has also served as counsel in various election matters, representing local government entities in election challenges, including recount petitions and other election-related litigation.

Nick is a 2018 cum laude graduate of Boston College Law School, where he was a senior editor of the Boston College Law Review and a graduate of Boston College.

Representative Matters

    Construction Litigation

  • Represents general contractor in complex consolidated litigation arising from construction of hotel project, with amount in controversy in excess of $200 million.

  • After five day trial, obtained seven-figure award in arbitration arising from dispute over construction of solar farm in central Pennsylvania.

  • Obtained dismissal of breach of contract claim against construction manager brought by subcontractor in federal district court.

  • Obtained decree on behalf of private-public entity authorizing development of public transit project.

  • Obtained re-bid of public works contract on behalf of general contractor in bid protest action.

    • Commercial Litigation

  • Counsel for franchisee group in dispute with Planet Fitness regarding international development rights for fitness centers in Mexico.

  • Represented energy company which manufactures products for natural gas wells in complex services contract dispute.

  • Negotiated multi-unit development agreements for development group opening athletics facilities in several states.

  • Negotiated single and multi-unit agreements for development group opening restaurant franchise.

  • Negotiated franchise agreements on behalf of developer of senior care referral services.

    • Election Litigation

  • In response to a Petition for Review brought by the Republican National Committee and Pennsylvania Republican Party against all 67 county boards of elections in Pennsylvania, filed preliminary objections sustained by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court on behalf of the Delaware County Board of Elections and along with the Philadelphia and Chester county boards of elections; the court dismissed the Petition, holding that it lacked subject matter jurisdiction because, as local agencies, county boards of elections cannot be sued in the Commonwealth Court in matters of original jurisdiction. 

  • Obtained dismissal of litigation and preliminary injunction proceedings brought against county board of elections arising from 2020 and 2022 General Elections.

  • Represented county board of elections in connection with federal, state, and municipal election challenges, including recount petitions and nominating petitions.

  • Counsels county board of elections concerning implementation of election operations and redistricting procedures.

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho

Education

  • Boston College Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2018
    - Senior Editor, Boston College Law Review
  • Boston College, B.A., 2015

Experience

  • Duane Morris LLP
    - Associate, 2018-present

Honors and Awards

  • Named to Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch," 2024 and 2025
  • Recipient of the 2019 G. Duffield Smith Outstanding Publication Award, honoring the authors of the most outstanding defense related article published in For The Defense or In-House Defense Quarterly in the 2019 year

Selected Publications