USA Guide 2026 : Washington
Ranked Individuals
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.
Provided by Chambers
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.
Provided by Chambers
Stoel Rives continues to represent the Washington State Department of Transportation in litigation over the I-405 design project.
Provided by Chambers
Stoel Rives is able to tailor their advice so that it lands consistently with our own industry knowledge and experience.
Stoel Rives offers a depth of resources and experience that has proven very helpful. They are able to understand the issue at hand and provide guidance to ensure a successful outcome.
Provided by Chambers
Karl is best-in-class.
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 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 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.
Construction
Construction
Head of Construction
Construction
Provided by Stoel Rives LLP
Mark Stevens
Karl Oles
View profile of Karl OlesBart Reed
View profile of Bart ReedEvan Brown
View profile of Evan Brown
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