Best Lawyers in District of Columbia, United States for Litigation - Construction
During his more than 30 years of practice, Mr. Jaffe has focused on dispute resolution internationally in arbitrations under various international arbitral regimes and domestically in court and arbitration proceedings. A significant part of his work has involved representing owners, contractors and other stakeholders in projects ranging from infrastructure and energy facilities to sports stadiums and a wide variety of commercial structures. He has acted as counsel in numerous international an...
Tom Lynch primarily represents construction clients, including owners, general contractors, construction managers, and subcontractors on private and public construction projects. In addition to his construction practice, Tom has represented government contracts clients in claims against the government and bid protests as well as contract reviews. He has also represented lenders and loan servicing clients in a variety of lien priority and mortgage-related litigation in federal and state courts...
William J. Cople III defends government contractors and commercial companies in a range of critical industries in government investigations, litigation, trials, and prosecutions involving the False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback statute, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and handles corporate internal investigations, whistleblower claims, and Congressional investigations. He represents pharmaceutical, medical device, financial institution, and engineering and construction firms as trial counsel i...
Jeff Gilmore chairs Akerman’s Construction Practice, a team dedicated to providing practical counsel on the legal aspects of major construction initiatives and infrastructure projects around the world. Jeff is sought after for his domestic and international experience in many segments of the construction industry on both private and public projects. He is repeatedly ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers USA, which describes him as “extremely talented and astute at strategy.” ...
Charles M. Asmar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Charles M., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
A lawyer with a national construction practice, Owen Shean represents clients in a broad array of construction matters and disputes, including resolution of disputes on major infrastructure projects, government facilities, museums, multi-use/multi-family projects, hospitals, and military facilities. His clients have included the Architect of the Capitol (the federal agency responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the U.S. Capitol Complex), the New World Sym...
Stephen B. Shapiro focuses on the practice of construction law, public contracts and commercial litigation. Building on his experience representing contractors, public and private owners, architects, engineers and construction managers, he has developed extensive legal experience in all aspects of government and commercial contracts, construction procurement, contract administration, bid protests, claims, dispute resolution and litigation, regulatory compliance and subcontractor, supplier and...
Nicole Lynn Kobrine has successfully climbed to the top of the often male-dominated areas of complex business litigation and commercial real estate. She has been trying cases for more than 20 years and has secured major victories in the courts of DC, Maryland and Virginia. The judges in these jurisdictions know her, and oftentimes she is the only female lawyer in the well of the courtroom. Primarily practicing throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area and nationally, Nicole's recent eng...
Mike focuses his practice on construction, surety and government contracts law. He is Co-Managing Partner of the Washington, DC office, chair of the Surety and Construction Related Insurance Defense practice, and Co-Chair of the Crisis Management team. Chambers USA commentary from industry leaders regarding Mike includes: “Without a doubt one of the most knowledgeable, solution-driven attorneys we have ever worked with. Michael always seeks the most practical and direct solution for all...
Melissa C. Lesmes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Melissa C., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melissa C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Yasmin Bagha is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Yasmin, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Yasmin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.