Sunu Pillai is an attorney and arbitrator helping construction and energy industry clients on issues throughout the project life cycle, from contract formation through dispute resolution.
Sunu worked in the construction and energy industries as an engineer, project management consultant and expert witness consultant prior to his legal career. His prior engineering and project management experience on energy, infrastructure and construction projects makes Sunu attuned to the business needs and priorities of clients.
He represents both owners and contractors in projects ranging from utility-scale solar, offshore wind, battery, steel, wastewater treatment, schools and commercial buildings. His experience with issues in these matters includes differing site conditions, schedule delays, Miller Act claims, loss of productivity, and alleged design defects. He represents clients in various state and federal courts, and in arbitrations under American Arbitration Association (AAA), International Center for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) rules.
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In addition to being an advocate on behalf of clients, Sunu is an arbitrator with AAA for construction-related cases. He is certified as a Fellow with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), and he is an approved mediator with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Sunu also assists clients in complying with privacy and cybersecurity regulations and in responding to potential data breaches. He holds the Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).
Sunu has been named to The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch lists for Alternative Dispute Resolution and Construction Law, as well as for Energy Law.
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Firm Involvement
- Chair, Attorneys of Color Elevating @ Saul
Degrees
- J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 2014
- Certificate in International and Comparative Law
- Graduate Certificate in Asian Studies, University of Pittsburgh Center for International Studies, 2014
- M.S., University of Michigan, 1998
- B.Tech, Cochin University of Science and Technology, 1997
Honors & Awards
- Honored with a "Diversity Initiative" award by The Legal Intelligencer, 2023
- Named to The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch list for:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution and Construction Law, 2021 to 2026
- Energy Law, 2023 to 2026
Certifications
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
- Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
Professional Involvement
- Board of Directors for the North America Branch, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- Vice Chair, The Hay-Sell American Inns of Court, Pittsburgh
- American Bar Association
- Steering Committee Member, Division 4, Forum on Construction Law
- Member, Section of Dispute Resolution
- Former Editorial Board Member, Dispute Resolution Magazine
- Member, Dispute Review Board Foundation (DRBF)
- ADR Committee Member, Allegheny County Bar Association
- Former Committee Chair
- Former Board of Directors Member, Allegheny County Bar Foundation