It is with humility and a sense of accomplishment that I announce that I have been selected for the tenth straight year to the Virginia Super Lawyers in the Construction Litigation category for 2026. Add this to my recent election to the Virginia Legal Elite in Construction and I’ve had a pretty good year. As […]
What is “Action by a Public Body” Where County Exempted from VPPA?
Originally posted 2020-01-22 11:26:10. The Virginia Public Procurement Act (“VPPA”) governs the contractual relationships between the Commonwealth and its subdivisions and the businesses and individuals that provide them goods and services. It also provides the mechanism for the appeal of certain decisions by public bodies as well as a method by which a county can […]
PSA: Be Sure to Document (Even When Time is Short)
Written change orders are a big deal. Almost all construction contracts (at least the well drafted ones) require written contracts. Written change orders are even important enough that Virginia law requires these provisions in residential construction contracts. Why are they so important? Because they are a “mini-contract” of sorts. They set the expectations, price, time, […]
Yet Another Reminder That Pleading Matters
Originally posted 2013-07-15 11:10:04. As anyone who has practiced construction law for any period of time knows, Motions to Dismiss are a regular occurrence. These motions are made in an attempt to get a claim reviewed and rejected early in the process. Because these motions to dismiss can and do lead to the dismissal of […]
Reminder: Quantum Meruit and Breach of Construction Contract Don’t Mix
Originally posted 2015-07-01 10:00:53. Construction contracts (preferably written ones) are near and dear to my heart here at Construction Law Musings. In a world where the contract is king, having a written construction agreement is a key component of any properly run construction project. However, even with the best construction contract there are claims (Murphy […]

