Atty. Christopher M. Burke
Chris Burke has over 20 years of experience litigating construction disputes both domestically and internationally. Chris has tried multiple disputes through final award, with amounts in dispute of over US$1 billion.
Profile Summary
About Christopher M. Burke at a glance
Christopher M. Burke is a construction attorney based in Tysons, Virginia, practicing at Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino LLP. They have 24+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2002. Admitted to practice in Virginia (2002), New York (2016), District of Columbia (2016), and Maryland (2020). Educated at University of Virginia (JD, 2002) and Yale University (BA, 1999). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in Tysons, VA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Chris Burke has over 20 years of experience litigating construction disputes both domestically and internationally
- Chris has tried multiple disputes through final award, with amounts in dispute of over US$1 billion
- Chris represents clients in state and federal courts and in arbitration proceedings, and has considerable experience with international dispute resolution
- Chris represents owners, general contractors, construction managers, and subcontractors through the various stages of dispute resolution, from claim preservation through trial
- Before maturation of the litigation process, Chris works with his clients to avoid costly disputes by resolving issues at the project level
- Once litigation is inevitable, however, Chris handles all aspects of the dispute process
- He is a seasoned litigator who protects his clients' economic interests while preparing for the best presentation at trial should a matter "go the distance
- He also advises clients on non-contentious matters, including contract drafting
- Chris is a frequent author and speaker in the construction law space and is active in both the American Bar Association and International Bar Association
- Chris is the Executive Editor of The Construction Lawyer, the quarterly journal published by the ABA Forum on Construction Law, and has co-chaired the ABA Forum on Construction Law's Trial Academy Program in 2020 and 2023
- Chris graduated cum laude from Yale University and later from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served as a Dillard Fellow Legal Research and Writing Instructor
Practice Areas Explained
Christopher M. Burke's Areas of Practice
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Christopher M. Burke is one of 40,689 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Virginia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Virginia
Practicing law in Virginia. Legal matters in Virginia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Tysons are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Virginia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Virginia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Virginia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Virginia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Tysons or all attorneys in Virginia.
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