Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino, LLP is pleased to announce that 15 lawyers have been included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America^®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.

"For more than 40 years, the rigorous methodology of Best Lawyers has ensured the integrity and esteem of our legal recognitions," said Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer. "It is with great pleasure that we continue to provide potential clients with the pinnacle measurement of credibility through our Best Lawyers awards as they search for counsel."

Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino, LLP would like to congratulate the following lawyers named to 2024 The Best Lawyers in America list:

Paul Varela: Construction Law (2009-2024); Litigation - Construction (2011-2024)

Bennett Lee: Construction Law (2018-2024); Litigation - Construction (2021-2024)

Todd Metz: Construction Law (2019-2024); Litigation - Construction (2017-2024)

Joseph Guarino: Construction Law (2024); Litigation - Construction (2024)

Christopher Burke: Construction Law (2021-2024); Litigation - Construction (2021-2024)

Brian Dugdale: Construction Law (2024); Litigation - Construction (2024)

Kirk Niemi: Litigation - Construction (2017-2024)

Michael Suga: Construction Law (2021-2024); Litigation - Construction (2021-2024)

Owen Walker: Construction Law (2024); Litigation - Construction (2024)

David Wonderlick: Construction Law (2021-2024); Litigation - Construction (2024)

Best Lawyers in America - Ones to Watch

Anthony Batt: Litigation - Construction (2024)

Thomas O'Leary: Litigation - Construction (2024)

Wajiha Rais: Litigation - Construction (2024)

Lindy Stevens: Construction Law (2024); Litigation - Construction (2024)

Lindsay Van Keulen: Construction Law (2024); Litigation - Construction (2024)

"VLMG’s lawyers have represented clients on an impressive array of civil, industrial, commercial, and government projects across the United States and around the world. The firm’s attorneys offer a particularly in-depth understanding of heavy civil, energy and infrastructure projects, including power plants, petrochemical facilities, pipelines, highways and bridges, tunnels, mass transit systems, water/wastewater plants, airports, ports, and sports stadiums.  Handling matters across this spectrum of project types has enabled the attorneys at VLMG to develop substantial expertise regarding federal, state, and local government contracts and procurement.

VLMG also maintains a significant and expanding international practice, with experience handling matters across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. VLMG’s clients represent a diverse cross-section of the major players in the worldwide construction industry, and include EPC contractors, owners, developers, sureties, design professionals, and public agencies.

A significant portion of the firm’s practice focuses on front-end risk management such as contract drafting/review, subcontract preparation, compliance, insurance and project-specific training. Further, after the project commences, the firm’s attorneys also regularly provide guidance to clients during ongoing projects as issues arise.

VLMG’s attorneys are recognized as being especially capable in litigation and dispute resolution before federal and state courts and boards of contract appeals.  In the arbitration arena, VLMG is actively arbitrating over $1 billion in disputes across four continents throughout the world. 

The four name partners in VLMG – Paul Varela, Bennett Lee, Todd Metz, and Joseph Guarino – boast a total of more than 80 years in practice devoted entirely to the construction and engineering industry and have been honored for their work in respected publications such as Chambers USA, Legal 500, Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers. They are joined by eight additional partners – Christopher Burke, Garrett Dillon, Brian Dugdale, Nicholas Merrell, Kirk Niemi, Michael Suga, Andrew Van Ornum, and David Wonderlick −  all of whom have 9 to 18 years of construction law experience.

VLMG was created in 2014 to meet the changing needs of high-end clients in today’s construction market.  We promote the use of cutting edge information management technology coupled with partner-level attorneys who are prepared to meet your needs from inception to conclusion.  Each attorney is expected to demonstrate deep knowledge, practical thinking, agility, value, and responsiveness. Clients in the construction industry value close working relationships with lawyers who understand their business. We will continue to nurture those relationships in a marketplace that has evolved to place increasing emphasis on a law firm’s sophistication and creativity."