Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino, LLP is pleased to announce that 12 lawyers have been included in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers^®. 

Attorney Todd R. Metz was recently recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2026 "Lawyer of the Year" for Construction Law in Washington, D.C..

Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the "Lawyer of the Year," making this a significant and coveted accolade. These lawyers are selected based on particularly impressive voting averages received during the peer review assessments.

Receiving this designation reflects the high level of respect a lawyer has earned among other leading lawyers in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism and their integrity.

In addition to the "Lawyer of the Year" award, Mr. Metz was also listed in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America^®

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Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.

We would like to congratulate the following lawyers named to 2026 The Best Lawyers in America list:

• Paul A. Varela - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction
• Joseph S. Guarino - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction
• Bennett J. Lee - Construction Law
• Todd R. Metz - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction
• Christopher M. Burke - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction
• Brian Dugdale - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction
• Kirk E. Niemi - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction
• Michael M. Suga - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction
• Owen Walker - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction
• David Wonderlick - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction

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Lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America candidates can only be considered for one recognition at a time, either "Ones to Watch" or traditional Best Lawyers awards. "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" is not a seed list to "The Best Lawyers" and all hopeful candidates must be nominated, vetted by their peers and undergo an authentication process before they are recognized by Best Lawyers. Lawyers are not required nor allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, recognition by Best Lawyers is considered a singular distinction.

We would like to also congratulate the following lawyers recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America:

• Thomas S. O'Leary - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction
• Lindy K. Stevens - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction