Construction and Commercial Real Estate Law
Meet our Attorneys
Paul Bucco
Managing Partner
Paul is a founding partner of Davis Bucco and Makara. With more than 35 years of experience as a civil lawyer, Paul has focused his work on construction, labor law, zoning and general commercial litigation. He has represented all construction industry participants, including owners, general contractors, subcontractors, material and equipment suppliers, architects, engineers and sureties. Paul has also represented real estate developers and builders in complicated zoning matters and has substantial experience in the construction and commercial arbitration process as an attorney, arbitrator and mediator. During his 35+ years of practice, Paul has extensive labor relations experience representing management in both non-union and union workplace environments. He has been a Master in the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County for municipal construction industry matters.
Paul has served as a solicitor to the Associated Builders and Contractors, Pennsylvania Concrete Masonry Association, Office of Housing and Community Development Delaware County (commercial and residential divisions), Resilient Flooring Association and Concrete Cutting Association. Paul is a member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bar Association, Delaware County Bar Association Eastern PA Chapter and the Montgomery County Bar Association. Paul currently serves on the board of 3 inner city charter schools: Young Scholars Charter School, LaSalle Academy, and Saint Peter Claver School. Â
David Makara
Partner
Dave is a partner of Davis Bucco & Makara, having joined the firm in 2006. Dave has practiced in Pennsylvania since 1996, primarily representing clients in business litigation.
Dave has litigated and arbitrated hundreds of cases to verdict in Pennsylvania and has argued numerous cases before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania supreme court. Specifically, Dave argued two cases before the Supreme Court, involving interpretation of the Pennsylvania Mechanics Lien Law.
Prior to joining the firm, Dave worked with a general practice firm in Luzerne County, PA where, in addition to handling commercial litigation matters, he represented parties in all types of civil litigation. Dave thereafter worked with a large Philadelphia defense firm, where he practiced in the Architects, Engineers and Contractors Liability Department.
Courtney King
Associate
Courtney King is a dedicated attorney with a background rooted in excellence and service. Graduating from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in History, she proceeded to earn her Juris Doctor from Widener Law Commonwealth in Harrisburg, PA, alongside a Business Advising Certificate.
During her tenure in law school, Courtney demonstrated her commitment to legal excellence as an extern at the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors. Her research efforts there were instrumental in the development of Act 25, a pivotal legislation allowing live stream education for realtor licensing requirements.
Licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, Courtney has channeled her expertise towards the defense of nursing homes, healthcare facilities, and medical professionals, particularly in the realm of nursing home defense and medical malpractice claims. Additionally, she has served as a Public Defender at the Allegheny County Office of Public Defenders, where she provided invaluable representation, consultation, and guidance to clients during criminal investigation proceedings.
With a passion for justice and a commitment to serving her clients with diligence and expertise, Courtney King continues to make meaningful contributions to the legal profession.
Nolan M. Finnerty
Associate
Nolan is an Associate Attorney at Davis Bucco, where he
delivers strategic and comprehensive legal representation to construction
industry professionals, including landowners, property developers, general
contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. He guides clients through every
stage of the construction process, from project planning and zoning compliance to contract drafting, bid disputes, and construction litigation. Nolan utilizes his experience in land use, zoning, municipal law, real estate and commercial litigation to ensure his clients’ interests are protected.
Nolan has helped to resolve challenges for high-profile individuals, such as CEOs and government officials, as well as business owners managing complex disputes. His diverse expertise enables him to effectively
tackle the challenges faced by clients, from contract drafting to strategic
litigation. Clients rely on Nolan’s skillful representation in various forums,
including the Court of Common Pleas, appellate courts, the American Arbitration Association, and Zoning Hearing Boards.
Whether a client is dealing with payment issues on a construction project, navigating a real estate transaction, or facing a land development issue, Nolan’s unique expertise and strategic approach to achieving the client’s goals make him an invaluable ally.
David Downey
Of Counsel
David is a real estate attorney, whose practice focuses on commercial and construction litigation, as well as real estate transactional work in Philadelphia and the surrounding Pennsylvania counties.  With over two decades in the real estate industry, David has established an extensive real estate network. His clients include contractors, real estate professionals, investors, agents, and mortgage professionals. David has managed negotiations with homeowner and condo associations, as well as stalled foreclosures through loss mitigation plans. David has experience litigating tax sales, post-closing disputes, ejectments, evictions, title actions, land disputes, partition actions and various areas of construction litigation. He has had success in various venues, including magisterial district courts, common pleas courts, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
David has been active with the Montgomery Bar Association since 2018. After completing a year-long project for the Montgomery Bar Association Leadership Academy in 2021, David was appointed to the Montgomery Bar Association Board of Directors. In 2023, David was appointed to the Personnel and Salary Committee. Additionally, David provides pro bono legal services as a child advocate and guardian ad litem for the Montgomery County Child Advocacy Program. And he is President of his Homeowner’s Association in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. When not practicing, David spends time with his wife Michelle and their pets. Additionally, David enjoys golf, snowboarding, fitness, and Philadelphia sports.Â
Bar Admissions:Â Pennsylvania (2017)
Federal Districts:Â United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (2021)
Education:Â Temple University (B.A. 2001), Widener University Delaware Law School (J.D. 2016)
Stefanie Menzano
Of Counsel
Stefanie Menzano has been with Davis Bucco & Makara since February of 2025. Her current practice focuses on Contract Disputes, Commercial Real Estate Law, Construction Law, and Performance Bonds. Stefanie received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Loyola University in Maryland. She then went on to pursue her Juris Doctorate from Drexel University, Thomas R. Kline School of Law. Stefanie is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Prior to joining Davis Bucco & Makara, Stefanie served as a General Civil Litigation Attorney for a boutique, full-service firm in Center City, Philadelphia. Stefanie worked on an assortment of civil litigation issues, including landlord-tenant actions, personal injury, contract disputes, and bankruptcy, and she represented a wide range of clients, including individuals, large and small businesses, contractors, property owners, insurers, creditors, and others in Pennsylvania and New Jersey state and federal courts.
Stefanie’s legal knowledge and experience is further informed by over nine years of practice as a Securities Fraud Attorney at a renowned international plaintiff class action law firm. Stefanie and her team’s commitment to fight corporate fraud resulted in the firm’s successful recovery of billions of dollars for their client class members during her tenure.
Known for being thorough and detail-oriented, Stefanie values collaboration, integrity, and excellence and is passionate about pursuing justice and accountability. In addition to her legal practice, Stefanie’s volunteer work with social justice organizations, such as the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, have given her unique perspectives and approaches, which she brings to her professional endeavors, ensuring exceptional legal service for all clients. Â
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