W. Alexander Burnett

Alex Burnett provides construction industry clients with practical, business-focused guidance to manage risk, navigate disputes, and support successful project execution.

He represents general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, owner/developers, and material suppliers on complex commercial, industrial, and institutional projects. Clients turn to Alex for strategic advice to protect their interests, avoid disputes, reduce exposure, and address challenges efficiently when they arise.

Construction Law & Dispute Resolution 

Alex is actively involved throughout the lifecycle of construction projects—from contract drafting to dispute resolution. He regularly:

• Drafts and negotiates construction contracts (prime contracts, subcontracts, design-build agreements, etc.) to reduce risk and avoid unnecessary disputes 
• Negotiates subcontract terms to strengthen enforceability and minimize exposure 
• Advises during active projects to proactively address issues before they escalate 
• Manages subcontractor defaults, including preparing and delivering strategic notices 
• Resolves payment disputes, including mechanic’s liens, bond claims, and contract disputes 
• Represents clients in litigation, arbitration, and other dispute resolution proceedings

His project experience includes:

• Multifamily residential developments
• Industrial and manufacturing facilities
• Medical and healthcare buildings

Alex is particularly valued for his proactive involvement, helping clients anticipate challenges and making informed decisions throughout a project.

Commercial Litigation

When disputes cannot be avoided, Alex is a seasoned litigator who efficiently prosecutes and defends claims involving:

• Breach of construction and commercial contracts
• Payment and performance disputes
• Surety and bond claims
• Complex, multi-party construction litigation

He brings a strategic, outcome-driven approach focused on resolving disputes quickly and cost-effectively while protecting long-term business relationships where possible.

Real Estate Litigation

Alex advises owners, developers, landlords, and tenants in a range of real estate disputes, including:

• Lease negotiations and landlord-tenant conflicts 
• Real estate transaction disputes 
• Boundary, title, and covenant issues 

His real estate work complements his construction practice, particularly on projects where development and construction issues overlap.

Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights

Alex represents creditors across the construction and real estate industries, including contractors, suppliers, landlords, and financial institutions, in bankruptcy matters. His experience includes:

• Protecting creditor rights in Chapter 7, 11, and 13 proceedings 
• Handling preference and fraudulent transfer litigation 
• Filing proofs of claim and plan objections 
• Obtaining relief from the automatic stay 
• Addressing disputes involving lien priority and recovery

He brings a litigator’s perspective to bankruptcy matters, focused on maximizing recovery and enforcing client rights.

Alex has been consistently recognized for his achievements in construction law and litigation. His accolades include listings in The Best Lawyers in America® for Construction Law (2017–present), Commercial Litigation (2019–present), and Litigation – Construction (2023–present), as well as recognition by Virginia Super Lawyers for Construction Litigation (2020–present) and by Virginia Business magazine’s “Legal Elite” (2011–present). He holds a Band 4 ranking for Construction in the Chambers USA guide, which underscores his reputation among clients and peers in construction dispute matters. Alex’s professional standing is further affirmed by an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

He is a past Chair of the Virginia Bar Association’s Construction and Public Contracts Law Section, the Richmond Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Section, and he regularly appears before state and federal courts, including the U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts in Virginia and the District of Columbia.