Bio

Brian Donnelly is a litigator and trial lawyer with more than a decade of experience guiding companies and individuals through business and governmental disputes.

Brian’s practice includes both commercial and administrative litigation. On the commercial side, he has successfully represented companies of all sizes in business and employment disputes in state and federal courts. On the administrative side, he has litigated several precedent-setting cases involving federal tax credits and other governmental programs, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs), renewable energy Production Tax Credits (PTCs) and Investment Tax Credits (ITCs), and affordable housing programs run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development office (USDA RD).

Before founding Grammata Law Firm, Brian litigated high-stakes matters at Nixon Peabody LLP, a global Am Law 100 firm and a national leader in tax credit and affordable housing law.

A former U.S. Marine Corps officer and Iraq War veteran, Brian has provided pro bono representation to military veterans and veteran-serving nonprofit organizations throughout his legal career.

Brian lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife and two sons.

Education

  • Columbia University School of Law, J.D.
  • Cornell University, B.A.

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. District Court, District of the District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

Prior Experience

  • Nixon Peabody LLP (2011-2021) – Litigation Attorney; Chair, D.C. Office Recruiting Committee; Co-Chair, D.C. Office Pro Bono Committee
  • United States Marine Corps (2004-2008) – Public Affairs Officer; Iraq War Veteran