Best Law Firms Rankings

Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino, LLP

2 National Rankings & 5 Metro Rankings  |  Client Confirmed

Overview

Rankings

Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino, LLP is nationally ranked in 2 practice areas and regionally ranked in 5 practice areas. The U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.

Read how we rank firms »

National Rankings
Regional Rankings
San Francisco
Washington, D.C.
See All Rankings for This Firm »

Highlighted Client Comments

All client comments represent the opinions of the people who provided them. All potential clients are urged to remember that no two cases are ever completely alike and that the result in one case does not guarantee a similar result in another case.

Construction Law

The lawyers at Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino have more construction industry litigation knowledge and experience than any other firm in the country. They are very cost effective while delivering a thorough and complete analysis. They can handle matters in any jurisdiction effectively and are our first choice for major construction industry litigation.

Construction Law

Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino is a top flight construction specialty firm. They are experienced, knowledgeable, cost effective and very communicative. Highly recommended.

Construction Law

Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino lawyers have excellent subject matter knowledge and are very cost effective. Experienced litigators who know their way around the courtroom; very knowledgeable of others in the field which enhances negotiations where needed.

Stuart Young Amentum (AECOM)

Litigation - Construction

Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino have distinguished themselves as a leader in the construction legal world. They possess an incredible depth of construction industry knowledge which combined with exceptional legal skills make them a valued business partner. Further, we routinely choose Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino to assist with highly technical and bet-the-company type cases primarily because of their extensive experience in the construction industry and our trust in them to provide effective assistance on such high stakes type cases. Paul Varela is a top-notch lawyer with expertise in all facets of construction litigation. He is aggressive but mindful of the desired outcome and budget. He is our first stop for all construction litigation both nationally and internationally. No matter the size of the dispute, he is always responsive, efficient, well prepared, and extremely effective at handling a multitude of complex issues, specifically related to delay and disruption claims. I highly recommend Paul and Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino when it comes to construction law, litigation or international arbitration. In addition to Paul, we routinely use Bennett Lee, Joe Guarino, Chris Burke and Nick Merrill on complex construction litigation matters. They are all outstanding litigators and among the first people I call with a dispute or question. They are a go-to law firm for construction disputes and litigation.

Logan Hollobaugh Gilbane Building Company

Construction Law

Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino represented MHPS in respect of an international commercial arbitration conducted under ICC rule regarding a high value construction project. Mr. Paul A. Varela was the leading legal counsel for this case. Simply put, Mr. Varela is exquisite and outstanding in terms of both personality and competence/capability as a legal expert. Mr. Varela's attitude toward us is sincere and respectful and well takes account of cultural difference. He is very easy to get along with and has lovable personality. Mr. Varela is intelligent, knowledgeable and diplomatic. Arbitration tactics that he planned were quite strategical and on-target and often turned out to be outcomes highly favorable to us. I appreciate his performance in this arbitration and hold him in the highest regard. Working with Mr. Varela was wonderful experience for MHPS and I definitely hope to work with him and his team again. The performance of Mr. Varela's team was outstanding and exceptional, as well. His team mainly consisted of Mr. Todd R. Metz, Mr. Christopher M. Burke, Mr. David B. Wonderlick and Ms. Rae D. Mueller. His team was efficient, punctual (including very quick documents/messages/opinions turn around - I appreciate that Mr. Varela's team highly dedicated itself to this arbitration), affable mood, flexible, and acted in a cost-efficient manner. I strongly feel his team always tried to act in the best interest of MHPS, rather than maximizing VLMG's own interest. I definitely chose this team as one of the best lawyer-teams with which I have ever worked. While each team member had high level of expertise and distinct responsibility (which let this team significantly efficient), they closely cooperated with each other in order to avoid critical mistakes and not to delay any process in case of a member's absence. Moreover, it seemed that the team members frankly exchanged views, which would have arbitration strategies more sophisticated and strategical. The size of team was not so big given the size of dispute - the success in this arbitration proves the team's high efficiency and high degree of expertise.

Construction Law

Our company has a long relationship with Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino. They have successfully handled numerous large, complex, high-exposure matters for us, and have done so with with great skill and professionalism. I highly recommend their excellent lawyers for construction/design professional liability cases.

Litigation - Construction

Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino are great strategists. They understand the importance of thorough preparation while adhering to budgets. I would trust them with any of my construction advice or litigation needs.

Construction Law

Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino have top notch lawyers with expertise in all facets of construction litigation. They are aggressive but attuned to client's desired outcomes and not focused purely on their own litigation win. First stop for all construction litigation nationally.

Litigation - Construction

Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino treats both large and small with the same level of intensity and economy. The firm is cognizant of the business needs of the client and is always looking for ways to obtain the maximum leverage to maneuver a case into settlement whenever possible.

Construction Law

I have worked with several members of Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino and have received excellent advice and prompt service from each of them.

Adrian Braganza Zurich North America

Construction Law

I have worked with Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino attorneys on several important construction law matters over the years. They are knowledgeable, responsive, and easy to work with. I recommend them highly.

Litigation - Construction

Joseph (Joe) Guarino of Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino is a terrific litigator. He has excellent instincts, is very sharp, and is great at spotting issues. He is an extremely zealous advocate. Joe is among the very best at deposing and examining witnesses. He is a fantastic bargain for such high quality work.

Litigation - Construction

Varela, Lee, Metz, & Guarino focuses upon the engineering and construction industry and, as a result, is able to bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to complex matters, as well as practical solutions to business disputes. Their attorneys are seasoned litigators who can advocate vigorously and effectively. I recommend them highly.

Construction Law

Varela, Lee, Metz, & Guarino focuses upon the engineering and construction industry and, as a result, is able to bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to complex matters, as well as practical solutions to business disputes. Their attorneys are seasoned litigators who can advocate vigorously and effectively. I recommend them highly.

Michael Kolloway Parsons Corporation

Construction Law

Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the construction industry. They understand and are responsive to the client's needs and do not just apply the litigation playbook. They think outside the box.

Construction Law

As a former managing attorney for large engineering and construction companies, Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino has been my "go to" firm for construction litigation and disputes. I have retained Paul Varela and his firm for litigation and disputes involving national and international projects. The amounts in dispute have often exceeded $10 million and much larger amounts. The firm has a superb understanding of the engineering and construction business and exhibits broad depth of experience and knowledge.

Litigation - Construction

Bennett Lee of Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino is very intelligent, diligent, and responsive. He obtained excellent results for our company.

Litigation - Construction

Joe Guarino is a terrific litigator. He is extremely bright, tenacious, and has great instincts. His services are an excellent value.

Charlie McNeish ManTech International Corporation

Construction Law

The Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino team has a deep bench of responsive and aggressive construction law practitioners. I know that I will be in good hands with their team and that they will be responsive and aggressive as required to get the matter to the finish line.

Litigation - Construction

VLMG are great litigators because they understand the disputes thoroughly and communicate the critical issues in an easy-to-understand manner.

Dave Pattillo DPA

Construction Law

VLMG attorneys are strategic thinkers that know contract law and the businesses in which their construction owner, engineer and contractor clients operate.

Dave Pattillo DPA

Construction Law

Stellar firm. Worked through multiple government claims from inception through resolution with Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino, and was never less than completely impressed.

Jeffrey Kellogg Tug Hill Construction

Litigation - Construction

The lawyers at Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino are all seasoned construction litigators that understand the particular nuances of construction disputes, of which there are many.

Construction Law

The Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino law firm is exceptionally knowledgeable in all facets of construction law; successfully advising my company on several matters before they matured into disputes. The partners have so much collective experience that, as a client, you know that your issue is being handled correctly, efficiently and with the input of many experienced lawyers.

See All Client Comments »

Claim/Edit Your Profile

U.S. News & World Report law firm profiles and verifications are powered by Best Lawyers®, the leading survey of lawyers.
Best Lawyers Logo
Firm profiles allow you to feature all of the most important and impactful information that existing and potential clients want to know about your firm.

To provide or update your profile, contact:

Corinne Lang
clang@bestlawyers.com
718.355.9793