Geoffrey Palachuk

Geoffrey (Geoff) Palachuk has spent the last decade-plus advising clients on more than $30 billion in public and private real estate development projects, including standard design-bid-build, public-private partnerships (PPP), general contractor/construction manager at-risk (GCCM or CMAR), progressive design-build, and alternative project delivery. His national construction practice spans complex contract negotiations and risk mitigation strategies, where he advises throughout every phase of the project lifecycle, including pre-development, procurement, construction, commissioning, and dispute resolution.

Geoff's transactional practice involves drafting, negotiating, and leading clients through various development agreements. He regularly works with industry-standard agreements, including those published by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), as well as complex bespoke agreements for both public and private entities. He also frequently counsels on contractual entitlement issues and claims resolution during construction. He has negotiated contracts and advised clients on multi-phased infrastructure, convention centers, stadiums, semiconductor facilities, data centers, office complexes, grain elevators and silos, medical facilities, mixed-use apartments, condominiums, hotels, universities, public schools, water and wastewater facilities, highways, rail systems, airports, and urban/light rail projects. He has also negotiated and advised energy clients regarding transmission, renewable, and offshore energy projects (including liquefied/compressed natural gas, wind, solar, and others).

Beyond his transactional practice, clients engage Geoff for their most complex disputes. He has navigated claims related to alleged construction delays, extra work, nonconformities, disruptions, differing site conditions, and insurance recovery. He has resolved disputes and managed corporate risk mitigation strategies for some of the largest companies in the world (including throughout the United States, Asia, Europe, and Australasia). Geoff aids project stakeholders by efficiently resolving disputes and pursuing commercial negotiations or mediation. Where necessary, he has also secured favorable trial outcomes through various state and federal tribunals, including multiweek arbitrations, bench trials, and jury trials. Over his career, he has successfully tried cases involving multibillion-dollar projects and claims exceeding nine figures.