John W. Dornberger is Co-Chair of the firm's Construction, Government Contracts & Surety Law Practice Group and Member of its Real Estate Practice Group.
He focuses his practice on commercial, construction, and real estate litigation and transactions. In addition to contractors, Mr. Dornberger represents and counsels design professionals, construction managers/owners' representatives, and material suppliers in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
He is also experienced in Pennsylvania licensure and regulations as they relate to casinos and other gaming entities, having served as outside counsel representing the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board relating to license appeals to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Mr. Dornberger is a court-appointed Mediator and Discovery Master.
The Best Lawyers in America®, a highly respected peer-reviewed publication, has selected Mr. Dornberger for inclusion in its 2021 through 2026 editions. He was also named a "Lawyer of the Year" in 2022, 2024 and again in 2026 in the category of Construction. In 2018 through 2026, he was also selected as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in the category of Construction. Mr. Dornberger has been recognized as an Honoree in the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal 2024 Law Power List. For information about this selection and an overview of common third-party publications, rankings, and list methodologies, click here.
- Representing Pennsylvania municipal authority on the sale of authority-owned property for development as a Data Center.
- Representing a commercial construction contractor on joint venture and other construction agreements for Data Center construction.
- Represented an established wood products manufacturing company in sale leaseback of a distribution facility.
- Represented a manufacturer as borrower on a $40 million ABL credit facility.
- Prosecuted a multi-million dollar contract claim on behalf of a mechanical contractor regarding the construction of oil and gas pipeline compressor station facilities.
- Negotiated and successfully resolved proposed civil penalties assessed against a pipeline constructor by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission arising from alleged permit violations and fish kill.
- Successfully represented the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in one of the first appeals filed in the Commonwealth by an unsuccessful casino license applicant under Act 71, the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004, concerning the award of a Category 2 (standalone) casino license.
- Obtained non-suit (defense verdict) in state court jury trial arising from multi-million dollar claims asserted against his client relating to a retrofit of a waste-to-energy facility.
- Obtained a $1M verdict in state court breach of contract action on behalf of contractor client against property developer.
- Obtained a more than $600,000 AAA arbitration award on behalf of a site development contractor, including lost profit damages for wrongful termination.
- Reviewed and modified construction sub-agreements consistent with Pennsylvania law on behalf of an out-of-state oilfield service company.
- Obtained a $1.9-plus million AAA arbitration award on behalf of a construction contractor regarding breach of contract claims on high-rise residential condominium development and construction.
- Successfully defended and resolved a contractual indemnity claim asserted against an oil field services company by a contracting party.
- Co-Author, "Addressing AI in Commercial Contracts: Key Provisions for a New Era," The Legal Intelligencer, Construction Law Special Section (August 12, 2025)
- "Lien on Me: Removal of Pennsylvania Mechanics’ Lien Actions to Federal Court," The Legal Intelligencer, Construction Law Supplement (August 10, 2022)
- "Help, hurdles for companies in search of government work," Central Penn Business Journal (May 27, 2016)
- "Losers for city's 2d casino unlikely to win on appeal," Philadelphia Inquirer (November 18, 2014)
- "How Can Arbitration Be Used More Fairly?" Associated Builders & Contractor's Spokesman (January 2007)
- "Are Construction Managers Liable for the Work of Subcontractors?," Associated Builders & Contractor's Spokesman, Vol. 34 (April 2006)
- "Thimerosal - Containing Vaccine Litigation," DRI's "For the Defense" (October 2002)
- Co-Author, "What You Should Know About Corporate Counsel and the Attorney-Client Privilege," ABA, "The Brief" (Summer 1994)
- Co-Presenter, "Navigating the Pennsylvania State Construction Notices Directory Rules," – Joint webinar with EHD Insurance for Post & Schell clients (June 4, 2025)
- Co-Presenter, "Legal Requirements for Providing Notice of Commercial Construction Claims in Pennsylvania,” Virtual Presentation for Construction Project Managers (April 12, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, “Construction Law for Pennsylvania Public Contracts,” Harrisburg East Holiday Inn, Harrisburg, PA (December 18, 2013)
- Presenter, "Expert Witnesses – Discoverability of Attorney/Expert Communications and ‘Draft’ Reports," IMX Medical Management Services, Inc. (January 13, 2012)
- Co-Presenter, "Green Building Sustainability," Gilbane Construction Round Table, New Cumberland, PA (June 11, 2009)
- Presenter, "Contracting Methods for BIM Projects," Gilbane Construction Round Table, Camp Hill, PA (September 11, 2008)
- Co-Presenter, "Contract Construction Issues for the Preservation of Immunities from Employee Actions and Indemnification from Other Contracting Parties," Seminar, Sponsored by MidAtlantic Builders Exchange (June 20, 2008)
- Presenter, "Defending and Prosecuting Construction Claims: From 'Qui Tam' Actions to Recovery of Affirmative Claims on Federal Projects," Construction Superconference, San Francisco, CA (December 8, 2006)
- Presenter, "Expert Discovery Under Cooper v. Schoffstall Decision," City of Philadelphia Law Department, Major Trials Unit (October 24, 2006)
- Presenter, "What Construction Managers Should Know About CAD Models," Contractor's Superconference, San Francisco, CA (December 9, 2005)
- Presenter, "Pay If and Pay When Paid Clauses," Keystone Construction Academy Seminar, ABC (Associated Building Contractors), Manheim, PA (June 14, 2005)
- Presenter, "Vinyl Chloride Litigation," Annual Conference of the ABA Environmental Law and Toxic Tort Practice Section (March 20, 2004)
- Lecturer, "Vinyl Chloride Litigation," Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Mass and Toxic Tort Claims Division (July 24, 2003)
- Lecturer, "Subcontractor Liability - Commercial Litigation Update," Zurich Insurance Company Contractor Insured Program Conference (October 2, 2002)
- Lecturer, "Contractor Liability - Pennsylvania Construction Law Update," AIGTS Construction Claims Department (October 2001)
- Lecturer, "Contractor Liability - Pennsylvania Construction Law Update," Gerling America Construction Claims Division (June 1999)
