Brian Vella

Brian Vella’s practice focuses on heavy civil and commercial construction law matters. For over 35 years, Brian has represented contractors, engineers and owners in all phases of the construction process, from counseling clients on risk allocation under different project delivery systems to drafting and negotiating contracts and change orders.  Brian has counselled clients in construction administration, with an emphasis on risk analysis and avoidance of claims.

In addition to front-end counseling and contract formation, Brian has represented clients in litigation, arbitration and mediation, and has extensive experience in disputes involving design changes and defective specifications, the professional standard of care, differing site conditions, payment and performance bond claims, insurance and warranty issues; and acceleration, delay, and inefficiency claims.

Brian is a member of the board of the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority, and is an active member of the firm’s Nuclear Energy Practice Group.

Brian is a member of the American College of Construction Lawyers and 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.