Biography

Brian focuses his practice on the representation of owners, construction managers, and contractors in the building, energy, and infrastructure construction industries. His work includes contract negotiation, civil litigation, claims management and analysis, arbitration, and public and private procurement.

Brian provides advice and consultation concerning numerous building, civil, and energy construction and design contracts. Brian first chaired and assisted lead counsel in a major design defect litigation representing the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority against the designers of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in a case that settled after five weeks of trial, in favor of the client, for more than $22 million.

Brian has served as lead counsel in construction-related litigation and arbitration and also participated in numerous mediations and dispute resolution sessions. He is a registered professional engineer in Massachusetts and a LEED AP (New Construction), and worked for six years as a civil engineer prior to becoming a lawyer. Brian's clients find that his engineering background helps him quickly understand technical project issues in a cost-effective manner. Brian lectures regularly on various construction law topics and serves as an adjunct instructor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, responsible for teaching a graduate-level course on construction law. He is the author of the Lexis Practice Advisor section on construction contracts and has written numerous articles on construction law topics. Brian worked as an assistant district attorney in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, for two years, where he gained valuable jury trial and courtroom experience.

Brian lives in Boston with his wife, Helen, an in-house corporate attorney, and their two teenage children. Brian and his family enjoy sailing on Cape Cod, skiing in Vermont, and hiking and camping in Maine and New Hampshire. Brian is a nine-time rider in the Pan-Mass Challenge.

Services/Industries

Education

  • Boston College Law School  (J.D.)
  • Cornell University  (M.S.)
  • Worcester Polytechnic Institute  (B.S.)

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts

Memberships

  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
  • Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (BSCES), former Chair of Engineering Management Group

Court and Other Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Firm Highlights

Matter

Advised Fortune 500 Company on Group Health and Welfare Benefit Plans

We were engaged by a Fortune 500 manufacturing company to provide legal and compliance services regarding its group health and welfare benefit plans. During the course of our representation, we have advised the company...

Blog

Tesla’s Cybertruck Raffle

On May 11, 2023, @BabyTesla3 sent out a Tweet: NEW: Tesla has revamped the Referral program and introduced a new loyalty program! Here’s what you need to know • S/X: 3,500 credits (referrer) &bull...

News

Verrill Welcomes Partner Andrew M. Walsh to Firm’s Business Law Group

Publication/Podcast

U.S. Tax Considerations When Buying Property Abroad with Ruth Mattson

Verrill partner Ruth Mattson was recently featured on The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel 's podcast series Trust and Estate Talk . In this podcast, U.S. Tax Considerations When Buying Property Abroad...

Matter

Elections and Constitutional Law: Successfully Challenged Certification of Initiative Petition

In a victory for consumers and the ride-hailing public, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently barred the Secretary of State from placing on the November ballot initiative petitions proposed by companies such as Uber...

Blog

New Options for Retirement Plan Distributions Under SECURE 2.0

This post summarizes the new distribution options, including penalty-free withdrawals, applicable to defined contribution plans under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”) and provides a timeline of their effective dates. The new...

Event

Virtual Lunch & Learn: Human Resources in Small Business/Startups

Verrill associate Emily Waddell will be presenting at PROPEL 's Virtual Lunch & Learn: Human Resources in Small Business/Startups. In addition to presenters sharing their expertise, this session covers various Human Resource topics including...

News

Jim Cohen Discusses “No Blank Checks” Citizen Initiative Before Maine Legislative Committee

Verrill Partner Jim Cohen was recently quoted in a Spectrum News article " Maine Ballot Initiative To Require Voter Approval For $1B Borrowing Gets Broad Support.” Maine LD 1772 is a citizen-initiated ballot question...

Blog

GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH!

Remember that old parody of the Battle Hymn of the Republic we used to sing before there was an Internet? There are apparently many versions, but they all generally involve children inflicting various types...

Publication/Podcast

State Trademark Registration

The United States has two levels of trademark registration: state and federal. A state trademark registration is issued by a state office and protects a trademark only in that state, whereas a federal trademark...

Contact Verrill at (855) 307 0700