Biography
Adam is one of the top construction attorneys in the state of Alaska. He has extensive experience representing clients in matters involving construction, engineering, federal contracting, and general litigation. He represents builders, designers, owners, and other parties in projects across Alaska and in the Lower 48.
Legal matters involving construction and engineering can be diverse and complex. Adam has represented clients in matters involving project bidding, protests, bonding, insurance, contract formation, claims, lien enforcement, and termination. He has represented clients in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Adam has extensive experience with claims litigation, such as representation of a general contractor in a dispute involving expansion of the Port of Alaska. More recently, in 2021 he successfully defended a contractor owned by an Alaska Regional Native Corporation at trial in federal court in a dispute over claim entitlement. In 2022, he won a jury trial in state superior court following a dispute involving residential property development, with a verdict awarding his client more than $1 million. He regularly handles cases involving allegations of defective engineering or design.
In addition to assisting clients with construction and engineering matters, Adam has taught at seminars involving construction law and has written on issues such as insurance, bonding, and equitable adjustments. He is a member of the Associated General Contractors of Alaska, the Anchorage Home Builders Association, and the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. Before entering private practice, he worked for the Alaska Legislature and the Anchorage Superior Court.
A lifelong Alaskan, Adam enjoys oil painting, piano, writing, and travel.
Education
- Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, Washington, District of Columbia
- J.D.
- Law Review, Journal of Contemporary Health Law and Policy, 2005, 2006
- University of Dallas
- B.A.
- Honors: Dean's List
Admitted to Practice
- Alaska
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
Practice Areas
Past Positions
- Alaska State Legislature, Legislative Aide
- DeCaro, Doran, Siciliano, Gallagher & DeBlasis, LLP
Representative Cases
- Midstate Equipment, Inc. v. Ahtna Construction & Primary Products, LLC, U.S. District Court Alaska No. 4:19-cv-00010-JWS) (successful defense against subcontractor claims on federal construction project)
- Doyon Utilities, LLC v, United States, U.S. Court of Federal Claims No. 19-199 C (2019) (appeal of denial of contractor claim)
- Lee Baker, Jr. v. Kenneth Duffus, 542 P.3d 1153 (Alaska 2024) (judgment in favor of plaintiff following jury trial over failed property development)
- City of Anchorage v. Integrated Concepts and Research Corporation, PND Engineers, Inc., and CH2M Hill Alaska, Inc., U.S. District Court Alaska No. 3:13-cv-00063-SLG (Port of Alaska design and construction litigation)
- LB Stone Properties, LLC v. Municipality of Anchorage, Municipality of Anchorage Zoning Board of Examiners and Appeals, Case 2014-0201 (successful appeal of zoning variance determination)
- Appeal of AmerescoSolutions, Inc., Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals Case No. 56811 (appeal of general contractor termination for default by federal government)
- Appeal of Alaska Aerospace Corporation, Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals Case No. 59794 (2015-106) (successful appeal of disallowance of contractor costs)
- Northern Lights Renewables, LLC v. Alaska Dept. of Transportation and Public Facilities, OAH No. 12-1323-PRO (successful contractor state-level bid protest)
Published Works
- Author, “Heightened Protection: New Cybersecurity Requirements on the Horizon,” Contractors and the Law, The Alaska Contractor, Summer 2024.
- Author, “Challenges on the Horizon in the Admissibility of Computer ‘Testimony’,” SideBAR, the Newsletter of the Federal Litigation Section of the Federal Bar Association, Summer 2011
Classes & Seminars
- Anchorage Chamber of Commerce: Chamber Academy, December 12, 2018 “Legal Trends Affecting Anchorage Small Businesses”
- American Institute of Architects Ninth Annual Alaska Construction Law Seminar, November 8, 2016 “Alaska Construction Insurance Developments”
- Alaska Municipal Attorneys Association Annual Meeting, November 15, 2016 “Alaska Insurance: A Municipal Perspective”