T: (703) 749-1000 vCard McLean ssears@wthf.com
Sheila Sears focuses her practice on construction litigation and government contracts, representing contractors, owners, subcontractors and sureties in all aspects of public and private construction contracting. She has represented clients on a range of industrial and commercial projects, including power plants, urban condominium projects, and military renovation projects, among others. Sheila regularly advises clients on matters involving contract preparation, administration, interpretation and termination on federal, state and private contracts. Sheila also handles landlord-tenant disputes on behalf of the firm's commercial real estate clients.
Sheila has significant experience in managing discovery on complex construction disputes, including all aspects relating to the collection, storage, management and production of electronic discovery. She regularly advises clients on the most cost-effective methods for reducing the expense and burden associated with e-discovery.
Sheila joined Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald as a first-year associate in 2005 after having clerked at the firm as a summer associate. During law school, Sheila participated in a clinical program where she handled a variety of civil litigation matters for low income clients.
Professional Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Virginia Bar Association
Recent Publications and Presentations
- Author: "Payment Bonds: Does the Miller Act Prevent a Surety From Setting a Payment Bond Expiration Rate?" WTHF Newsletter, Winter 2012.
- Author: "To Defend or Not to Defend? A Surety's Decision to Intervene on Behalf of its Principal to Avoid the Potential Consequences of a Default Judgment," WTHF Newsletter, Fall 2008.
- Author: "No Privity? No Problem. West Virginia Joins Those Jurisdictions Permitting Contractors' and Sureties' Direct Lawsuits Against Design Professionals," WTHF Newsletter, Summer 2006.
