Brian Vella
Brian Vella’s practice focuses on heavy construction and commercial construction law matters. For over 30 years, Brian has represented contractors, engineers and owners in construction related disputes, including matters involving defective specifications, differing site conditions, variations in estimated quantities, design changes, constructive changes, mechanics liens, payment and performance bond disputes, contract interpretation issues, payment disputes, insurance and warranty issues; acceleration, delay, and inefficiency claims; and schedule and costs analysis of contractor claims.
In addition to representing parties in litigation, arbitration and mediation, Brian counsels clients regarding contract formation and interpretation issues, and in developing strategies for risk analysis and avoidance. In matters involving construction disputes, he has extensive experience in factual analysis; claim organization, preparation and presentation; work with engineering and design consultants, technical experts, scheduling experts, and cost and pricing experts.
Brian has been recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, for Construction – Virginia. Chambers USA comments he has more than three decades of experience handling construction disputes as well as advising on contractual interpretation and risk avoidance strategy. Market sources say, “he is a go-to for construction litigation; he is plugged into the industry and helps to get to the heart of issues.”
He is also peer-selected to the Virginia and Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, in Construction Litigation and for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®, Woodward/White, Inc., in Construction Law since 2006.
- Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority, appointed as a member to serve a four-year term, 2024
- Virginia State Bar, Construction Law and Public Contracts Section (Past Member: Board of Governors)
- American Bar Association, Section of Public Contracts Law
- Construction Lawyers Society of America, Charter Fellow
- Associated General Contractors of America
- Associated Builders and Contractors
- The Moles, Program Committee
- The Beavers, Member
- University of Virginia School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Construction Law
- Northern Virginia Community College, Architecture Technology Curriculum Advisory Committee
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Chambers and Partners, Construction – Virginia, Band 1, 2022-2023
- The Best Lawyers in America, Woodward/White, Inc., in Construction Law, Arbitration, Meditation, and Litigation - Construction, 2006-2024
- Virginia Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, in Construction Litigation, 2008-2023
- Recognized by Who's Who Legal USA - Construction, 2023
- Washington D.C. Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, in Construction Litigation, 2008-2022
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating in area of Construction Contracts and Claims
- Virginia Business Magazine “Legal Elite”, 2017-2022
- “Recent Developments in Construction Law,” panelist, ARTBA 12th Annual Virtual Law & Regulatory Forum, June 3, 2020.
- “Virginia Construction Law Desk book,” co-editor, Virginia CLE Publications, 2019.
- “Payment and Performance Bond Claims on Public Construction Projects in Virginia,” co-author, Virginia Construction Law Deskbook, Virginia CLE Publications, Chapter 16, 2019.
- “The Evolution of Design Risk on Transportation Projects,” speaker, American Road & Transportation Builders Association, Law and Regulatory Forum, June 2019.
- “The Evolution of Design Risk on Transportation Projects,” speaker, American Road & Transportation Builders Association, Law and Regulatory Forum, May 2019.
- “Evaluating Claims in Virginia’s Legal Landscape,” speaker Travelers Insurance In-House Training Program, April 2015.
- “Subcontractor Default: What Contractors Need to Know,” speaker, Associated General Contractors Advanced Federal Contracting Workshop, April 2013.
Education
J.D., University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, 1984, Articles Editor, Law Review; Moot Court Board, President
B.A., University of Mary Washington, 1980
Admissions
Virginia
District of Columbia
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
The Federal Highway Administration (“FHWA”) recently completed a review of its longstanding Buy America waiver for manufactured products and concluded that the waiver should be discontinued. The agency’s proposal to end the waiver will have significant ramifications for sourcing on federally-funded highway, bridge, and tunnel projects. Recipients, contractors, and suppliers involved with such pr [...]
Brian Vella Appointed to Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority
January 23, 2024