About

Provided by Stoel Rives LLP

Stoel Rives Washington Construction practice is a leading team advising on complex, high-value public and private construction projects and disputes. The group represents public and private owners, developers, contractors, architects, engineers, and suppliers, delivering integrated counsel on transactional matters and high-stakes litigation.

The practice is known for its work on high-profile infrastructure and development projects, including major highway and transportation initiatives, large-scale commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use developments, and complex urban projects. The team also advises on headquarter and campus expansions and data center construction, reflecting broad industry coverage across real estate, technology, healthcare, education, and public infrastructure.

Core capabilities include construction contract drafting and negotiation, procurement and alternative delivery methods, risk allocation, and dispute resolution. The team regularly handles complex claims involving delay, cost overruns, design defects, performance failures, and construction impacts, and is frequently engaged in significant litigation arising from major projects.

Recent work highlights continued growth in large-scale public infrastructure disputes and complex private development projects across Washington, including multifamily and mixed-use developments in the Puget Sound region, supported by decades of experience across public and private construction.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Construction - Washington

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Stoel Rives has a respected construction team with a broad client base consisting of design professionals, owners and contractors. The law firm offers niche strengths in wind farm construction, university and technology company campuses and tunnel boring disputes. It provides high-quality advice on a wide spectrum of matters, including risk management, contract negotiations and design error claims.

Work Highlights

  • Stoel Rives continues to represent the Washington State Department of Transportation in litigation over the I-405 design project.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Karl Oles
1
Karl Oles
1
Band 1
Karl Oles represents clients in a range of domestic and international contract disputes, as well as advising on negotiations. His clients include public and private owners, architects, engineers, contractors and subcontractors. He also sits as an arbitrator.

Karl is best-in-class.

Bart Reed
2
Bart Reed
2
Band 2

Bart Reed has experience advising at all stages of construction projects, from contract drafting to alternative dispute resolution. He is adept advising on a range of projects, such as solar farms, distribution centers and data centers.

Bart provides a high level of attention to detail and is great at thinking outside the box.

Colm Nelson
2
Colm Nelson
Head of Construction
2
Band 2

Colm Nelson is the chair of Stoel Rives' real estate industry group and co-chair of the firm’s construction and design group. He handles a range of contentious and noncontentious matters in the construction space. He represents all manner of construction clients, including contractors, owners and developers.

Colm is smart, nimble and creative.

Colm has great experience in complex construction transactions.

Colm Nelson has expert knowledge in his area of practice and is among the top construction industry lawyers I have had the privilege to work with.

Evan Brown
Evan Brown
Associates to watch

Evan Brown is building a reputation in the construction space, advising clients on a variety of transactional and contentious matters.

Evan possesses knowledge and a skill set that fit our business requirements and offers timely, well‑thought strategies and solutions.

Evan Brown is easy to work with, intelligent and provides great value to our company.

Ranked Lawyers at
Stoel Rives LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Washington

Construction

Karl Oles
1
Karl Oles
1
Band 1
Bart Reed
2
Bart Reed
2
Band 2
Colm Nelson
2
Colm Nelson
Head of Construction
2
Band 2
Evan Brown
Evan Brown
Associates to watch

Members

Provided by Stoel Rives LLP

Colm Nelson

Colm Nelson

Head of Department

Mark Stevens

Clients

Provided by Stoel Rives LLP

California High Speed Rail Authority

Darigold, Inc.

Goodman Real Estate

Lake Union Partner Holdings, LLC

Liberty Military Housing

NBBJ

Port of Everett

SMARTCAP

Seattle Soccer LLC

Vancouver Housing Authority

Washington State Department of Transportation

Weidner Apartment Homes

Industries

Provided by Stoel Rives LLP

Agribusiness

Construction

Consumer Products

Energy

Food & Beverage

Healthcare

Life Sciences & Technology

Manufacturing

Natural Resources

Real Estate

Transportation/Infrastructure