Peter C. Sheridan and his team at Glaser Weil Secure $175 Million Verdict for Chestlen Development

A Glaser Weil team, working with co-counsel Blank Rome and Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld (RCCB), secured another litigation victory for Chestlen Development (Chestlen), a real estate investment and development firm and owner of the 52-story, 755-room W Hotel and Element Hotel (Marriott) in Philadelphia, in a complex dispute against general contractor Tutor Perini Building Corp. (Tutor Perini) and surety bond issuers. Chestlen has been pursuing Tutor Perini to recoup millions of dollars in damages for construction delays and defect repairs.

After completion of the liability and damages phases of trial, the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas issued an order and opinion on Monday, April 13, 2026, awarding compensatory damages in favor of Chestlen and against Tutor Perini in the amount of $174,681,212 arising out of Tutor Perini’s breaches of contract. The Court also ruled that liquidated damages and pre-judgment interest would continue to accrue until entry of a final judgment.

The damages decision follows an October 2025 liability ruling issued after a five-week bench trial, in which the Court found Tutor Perini liable for breach of contract and rejected Tutor Perini’s counterclaims against Chestlen. The Court then scheduled a damages trial which was held in January 2026 with post-trial submissions filed the following month.

“This award confirms what Chestlen has maintained from the start: accountability matters, regardless of the size of the contractor. It reflects the persistence and resolve of Brook Lenfest and Jared Wallace to see this case through and obtain justice for the harm caused,” said 2023 CLSA President Peter Sheridan, Chair of Glaser Weil’s Construction Litigation practice.

“It is heartwarming that Chestlen’s commitment over the last five years to seek just compensation from Tutor Perini has been rewarded. We are pleased to have achieved this favorable result for Chestlen in this significant matter,” said Jonathan Korn, a partner in Blank Rome’s Business Litigation group.

“The Court’s ruling is a clear affirmation of Chestlen’s position and the strength of the record developed at trial. It was a privilege to represent Chestlen in Philadelphia and help secure this outcome after years of hard-fought litigation,” said S. David Fineman of RCCB.

Glaser Weil partner Rob Lee played a critical role throughout the litigation and Of Counsel Christopher Dacus and Paralegal Kristen O’Hagan provided essential support.

View coverage in the Philadelphia Business Journal (subscription required) or read the court’s October 2025 and April 2026 orders. Prior developments have been covered in the Engineering News Record (ENR), Philadelphia Business Journal and The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required).