Brian Vella

Brian Vella teaches Construction Law at the Law School.

After graduating from the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville, where he served as Moot Court Board president and articles editor of the law review, Vella clerked at the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia. He then entered private practice

A member of the law firm Smith Pachter McWhorter in Tysons Corner, Virginia, Vella’s practice is concentrated on heavy construction and commercial construction matters.  For 30 years, Vella has represented contractors, engineers and owners in construction-related disputes in forums across the United States, and has represented foreign contractors on projects in the U.S., as well as representing U.S. contractors on overseas projects. 

In addition to representing parties in litigation, arbitration and mediation, Vella counsels clients regarding contract formation and interpretation issues, and in developing strategies for risk analysis and avoidance.