Real Estate & Construction Veteran Louis J. Coletti Joins Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP
Leading multi-disciplinary legal and government relations firm Davidoff Hutcher & Citron (DHC) announced that Louis J. Coletti, a longtime leader in New York’s real estate and construction industry will be joining the firm as a Senior Advisor in the firm’s Government Relations, Real Estate and Construction Law practices, operating out of their headquarters in New York City.
Coletti joins the firm following a 26-year stint as President and CEO of the Building Trades Employers’ Association (BTEA), the largest Contractor Association in the U.S., representing 1,200 union construction contractors. As the face of the BTEA, Coletti advocated for New York City’s commercial construction industry, working to increase MWBE access to critical construction projects and speaking out about rules and legislation that impacted members’ ability to conduct business in the city.
Throughout his career, Coletti has worked with many of New York’s top public servants to advise the government on issues affecting his membership. He took part in Mayor Eric Adams’ NYC Capital Process Reform Task Force and Buildings Department Reform Commission aimed at building a better New York post-COVID. As well as part of Mayor de Blasio’s COVID-19 Task Force, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Rebuild New York Task Force, and NYC Comptroller Scott M. Stringer’s MWBE Advisory Council.
“For more than 35 years, the name Lou Coletti has been synonymous with New York’s real estate and construction industry. His passion and knowledge have earned him the attention and respect of industry stakeholders and elected officials alike. I look forward to working alongside him as he begins his new role at DHC,” said firm founder Sid Davidoff.
Coletti began his career as Union County Manager in Union, NJ before going on to serve as President & CEO New York Building Congress and as a Senior Vice President at Lehrer McGovern Bovis, the fifth largest construction management company in the nation, where he worked on such projects as the renovation of New York City’s Grand Central Station, construction for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games, Los Angeles City Hall, New York Giants Stadium Luxury Box modernization, Bronx and Queens criminal courthouses, and the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse.
“For nearly 40 years, Lou Coletti has been one of the true power brokers in New York, not just in the building industry, but across many industries. Through his efforts, he helped grow the Building Trades Employers’ Association (BTEA) to become the public policy voice of contractors in New York. Having also served as the first President of the Building Congress before the BTEA, Lou remains a good friend of our organization. I have no doubt Lou will be a great addition to DHC because everyone knows him, and he garners respect and credibility in government and the private sector,” said Carlo A. Scissura, Esq. President & CEO, NY Building Congress.
“I’ve worked closely with Lou for over 25 years. He’s someone I’ve always counted on for guidance and support. He’s always been a strong results-oriented professional and a powerful advocate for the MWBE community. I consider Lou a friend and mentor and I know he will add value in this new role,” said Lorraine Grillo, Former First Deputy Mayor, New York City.
