Stephen D. Caruso

Shareholder

scaruso@beankinney.com

T: 703.284.7242 F: 703.525.2207

Stephen Caruso is a shareholder at Bean, Kinney & Korman focusing his practice primarily in civil and commercial litigation in federal and state courts in Virginia and the District of Columbia. He has first and second chaired multiple trials, as well as formal mediations and arbitrations, and routinely handles motions in Court and depositions. Stephen has represented clients in an array of matters, including:

• Government contracting disputes
• Business torts and corporate governance litigation
• Small business disputes
• Commercial tenant and landlord disputes
• Construction litigation on behalf of both owners and contractors
• Certain real property matters concerning land disputes
• Other contract disputes

Prior to joining the firm, Stephen worked as a judicial intern for the Honorable Lawrence J. Block, and also for the Honorable Bruce White. He also worked as a law clerk at Bean, Kinney & Korman.

Service Areas

Bar & Court Admissions

Virginia, 2014
District of Columbia, 2017
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
DC Federal Court

Education

George Mason University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2014
Managing Editor, George Mason University Civil Rights Law Journal
University of Maryland, B.A., 2011

Awards & Affiliations

Awards

Virginia Super Lawyers, Rising Star in Business Litigation, 2023-2024
Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, Rising Star in Business Litigation, 2023-2024
Virginia Lawyers Weekly, “Go to Lawyer”, Business Litigation, 2023, 2025
Virginia Business, Legal Elite – Civil Litigation, 2022-2025
Arlington Magazine, Top Attorney – Litigation, 2021-2025, Construction, 2025
Virginia Business, Legal Elite – Young Lawyers, 2020
Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, 2021 – 2026

Professional Affiliations

Leadership Arlington – Ignite Young Professionals, Class of 2020
Arlington County Bar Association (Director at Large, Young Lawyers Section)
Fairfax Bar Association

Blogs

Construction

Protecting Owners from Unlicensed Contractors

Selecting a contractor is one of the most consequential decisions an owner or developer makes during a construction project. Whether the work involves a residential renovation, a commercial tenant build-out, or a larger development effort, owners reasonably expect that contractors performing the work are properly licensed, insured, and qualified. Unfortunately, and despite the best intent…

January 21, 2026

Protecting Owners from Unlicensed Contractors

Construction

Managing Scope Creep in Construction Projects

Scope creep is one of the most common and, more importantly, costly challenges in commercial and public construction projects. When work expands beyond the original contract without proper documentation, contractors, owners, and subcontractors are left exposed to disputes, delays, and financial losses. Understanding how scope creep arises, and how Virginia courts and others in the…

August 27, 2025

Construction

What to Expect When You’re Inspecting

Buying or selling a house is a monumental milestone, often accompanied by a mix of excitement and anxiety. Among the many steps in a real estate transaction, home inspections play a critical role. For buyers, these inspections offer an opportunity to understand the condition of the property they are purchasing, while sellers must prepare for…

December 11, 2024

Construction

What Every Buyer and Builder Should Know About Virginia’s Implied Warranty on New Homes

When purchasing or selling a “new” home in Virginia, it’s crucial to understand the legal protections and obligations that come into play. One such critical aspect is the implied warranty provided under Section 55.1-357 of the Virginia Code. This warranty ensures that new dwellings meet certain standards of quality and workmanship, safeguarding the interests of…

October 9, 2024

What Every Buyer and Builder Should Know About Virginia’s Implied Warranty on New Homes

Business and Financial Services

A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Subpoenas

Navigating the complexities of a legal dispute often involves understanding various legal tools, one of which is the subpoena. This comprehensive guide explains what a subpoena is, its implications, and how to effectively respond to ensure compliance while protecting your legal interests. What is a Subpoena? A subpoena is a formal request for documents, records,…

June 5, 2024

A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Subpoenas

View all blogs

Videos

Government Contracts

Lawyer Spotlight -- Stephen Caruso, Civil & Commercial Litigation

October 15, 2025

Litigation

Litigation In Focus -- Episode 1: Commercial Real Estate and COVID-19

In the first episode of Litigation in Focus, attorney Stephen Caruso shares what he's seen to be the impact of COVID-19 on the both landlords and tenants in the commercial real estate industry.

December 9, 2020

Litigation In Focus -- Episode 1: Commercial Real Estate and COVID-19

News & Publications

Seventeen Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Recognized as Top Attorneys for 2025 by Arlington Magazine

Arlington Magazine named seventeen Bean, Kinney & Korman attorneys to its 2025 Top Attorneys list, spanning practice areas including litigation, real estate, family law, and employment.

October 20, 2025

seventeen-attorneys-from-bean-kinney-korman-recognized-as-top-attorneys-for-2025-by-arlington-magazine

Twenty Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2026 Best Lawyers in America and Seven Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

Bean, Kinney & Korman earned 27 total recognitions in the 2026 Best Lawyers editions, with twenty attorneys in the main list and seven in Ones to Watch, across seventeen practice areas.

August 21, 2025

twenty-attorneys-from-bean-kinney-korman-listed-in-2026-best-lawyers-in-america-and-seven-attorneys-listed-in-best-lawyers-ones-to-watch

Eighteen Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2025 Best Lawyers in America and Five Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

Bean, Kinney & Korman earned 23 total recognitions in the 2025 Best Lawyers editions, with eighteen attorneys in the main list and five in Ones to Watch, across seventeen practice areas.

August 15, 2024

eighteen-attorneys-from-bean-kinney-korman-listed-in-2025-best-lawyers-in-america-and-five-attorneys-listed-in-best-lawyers-ones-to-watch

Twenty-Two Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Recognized as Top Attorneys for 2023 by Arlington Magazine

Arlington Magazine named twenty-two Bean, Kinney & Korman attorneys to its 2023 Top Attorneys list, recognized by peers across practice areas spanning litigation, family law, construction, real estate, and more.

October 17, 2023

twenty-two-attorneys-from-bean-kinney-korman-recognized-as-top-attorneys-for-2023-by-arlington-magazine

Eighteen Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2024 Best Lawyers in America and Six Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

Bean, Kinney & Korman earned 24 total recognitions in the 2024 Best Lawyers editions, with eighteen attorneys in the main list --- including four first-time honorees --- and six in Ones to Watch.

August 17, 2023