Biography

Geoff is both an attorney and a licensed professional engineer. His practice focuses on labor and employment law, construction law and litigation involving technical and engineering issues. He counsels a number of major Maine businesses on employer-employee matters such as unionization efforts, grievance procedures, employee discipline and discrimination complaints.

He has successfully handled cases in both state and federal courts and before several state and federal administrative agencies. Recently, he spearheaded a major Portland employer's successful efforts in opposing a union's attempt to organize employees.

Geoff was formerly a civil engineer and construction troubleshooter at remote sites in Africa, South America, the Mideast and the Caribbean. He served as a consultant on many projects including dams, tank farms, power plants and pipelines and often faced the task of providing advice on resolving legal problems arising out of various projects. This led to his decision to return to the United States and attend law school.

He was born in Port Chester, New York. He graduated from Syracuse University with undergraduate degrees in forestry and engineering; later, he earned a master's degree in civil engineering.

In 1982, he graduated from the University of Maine School of Law. After his admission to the bar that same year, he became counsel to the Maine Department of Transportation and successfully brought before the Maine Supreme Court the first two major cases defining the department's potential liability under the Maine Tort Claims Act. He joined Preti Flaherty in 1984.

Professional Activities

  • Cumberland County Bar Association
  • Maine State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • American Society of Civil Engineers

Honors & Recognition

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in America

Firm Highlights

News

10 Preti Attorneys, 6 Practice Groups Honored in National Rankings

Ten Preti Flaherty attorneys and six practice groups have been selected by Chambers USA for inclusion in their premiere annual list of America’s leading lawyers. Preti is recognized for excellence in the practice areas...

Publication

What Is the Affirmative Relief Announcement?

On June 18, 2024, President Biden announced  a series of immigration actions  using the authority granted to him by our existing immigration laws. These actions will help certain undocumented individuals in the United States...

Publication

Massachusetts High Court Issues Important Ruling Impacting Prompt Pay Act

Earlier today, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued an order in the matter of Business Interiors Floor Covering Business Trust v. Graycor Construction Co. Inc. This decision presents the high court’s first ruling clarifying...

Publication

Veto Day and Final Day of the 131st Legislature

The Legislature convened on Friday, May 10 th for Veto Day to take action on the six bills objected to by the Governor. As expected, all six vetoes were sustained by lawmakers allowing  Governor...

Publication

Supreme Court Clarifies Constitutionality of Outdoor Camping Bans

Earlier today the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in the  City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson et al. , overturning a 2019 decision from the 9 th  Circuit Court, which held...

News

Preti’s Sig Schutz Recognized as Member of NHPR’s Pulitzer-Finalist Team

Preti First Amendment attorney Sig Schutz has been recognized as “a core member of the [NHPR] team” involved in a podcast honored as a Pulitzer Prize finalist in the audio journalism category.  The podcast...

News

Preti Attorneys File Suit Against Al-Generated Robocalls in the 2024 NH Presidential Primary

Representing the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, the League of Women Voters of the United States, and individual voters, Preti Flaherty, with co-counsel, filed a federal lawsuit against Steve Kramer, Lingo Telecom...

News

Preti Flaherty Welcomes Trusts and Estates Attorney Dianne Ricardo to the Firm

Preti Flaherty is pleased to announce that Dianne Ricardo has joined the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group. Based out of the firm’s Concord, New Hampshire office, Dianne focuses her practice on comprehensive estate...

News

Greg Hansel Named Top 25 Attorney of the Northeast Region by Attorney Intel

Preti Flaherty attorney Greg Hansel has been named one of the Top 25 Attorneys of the Northeast Region for 2024 by Attorney Intel . This year’s class of attorneys has been recognized for excelling...

Publication

Compliance for Two—What Employers Need to Know about the Newly Effective Final Regulation for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

On June 18, 2024 the final rule from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) takes effect, clarifying employers' obligations under this landmark legislation. Effective since June 27...