Geoff Adair, Calgary

About Geoff

Geoff specializes in high-stakes commercial disputes, with a focus on complex construction disputes, large project litigation, and energy litigation. He advises and represents clients from a wide range of industries and practice areas, including related to large public and private construction projects, public infrastructure projects, energy development, industrial chemicals and gasses development projects, and financial services.

Geoff has significant trial, appellate, and arbitration experience. He has served as counsel before the Alberta Court of Justice, the Court of King's Bench of Alberta, the Court of Appeal of Alberta, the Federal Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal, and the superior courts of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Geoff also has experience in alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration, mediation, and judicial dispute resolution.

Prior to joining Blakes, Geoff completed articles of clerkship with the Court of Appeal of Alberta in Calgary, where he was articled to the Honourable Mr. Justice Peter Martin.

Select Experience

Recent matters in which Geoff has been involved include:

Defending a large multinational corporation specializing in the production of industrial gases against a significant claim related to the design and construction of a steam methane reformer in Northern Alberta, involving damages claims in excess of C$570-million
Acting for a Canadian municipality in private referee and arbitration proceedings, and in an ongoing advisory capacity, in the context of a significant public transportation project
Acting for a large multinational corporation in a negligent design and manufacture claim related to the failure of a significant piece of industrial equipment used for the production of industrial chemicals at a plant in Southern Alberta
Defending a liquefied natural gas developer and an Alberta energy transportation and midstream service company from allegations of breach of confidence related to the development of a large liquefied natural gas export project
Acting for an Alberta energy company against former contractors related to claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy, and fraud
Successfully defending multiple large financial institutions against claims brought by former clients and employees
Successfully representing an Alberta energy company in a C$65-million expedited arbitration that progressed from notice of arbitration to final award within 2.5 months
Successfully defending a large financial institution against multiple claims brought by a vexatious litigant, including obtaining a vexatious litigant order and restricted court access order
Successfully defending an Alberta pipeline company from an application by a First Nation to stay regulatory proceedings
Successfully representing an Alberta pipeline company related to a challenge of the license authorizing its construction and operation of two pipelines
Representing a Canadian energy company related to a pipeline failure and spill in Manitoba

Some of the reported decisions that Geoff has been involved in include:

Liliana Kostic v His Majesty the King in Right of Canada et al, 2023 FC 306, 2023 FC 508, 2023 FC 509, 2023 FC 1077
Piikani Nation v Kostic et al, 2024 ABKB 137, 2025 ABCA 7
Joshi v Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce et al, 2021 ABQB 240, 2021 ABQB 317, 2021 ABQB 607, 2021 ABCA 384, 2022 ABQB 66, 2022 ABCA 137, 2022 ABCA 37. 2022 ABCA 372
Aircraft Finance Services Inc. v Miller, 2018 ABQB 1005
Alberta (Attorney General) v Alberta Power (2000) Ltd, 2018 ABQB 100
Imperial Oil v Flatiron Constructors Canada Limited, 2017 ABCA 102
Alberta (Attorney General) v Alberta Power (2000) Ltd., 2017 ABQB 195
Bokenfohr v Pembina Pipeline Corporation, 2017 ABCA 40
Bokenfohr v Pembina Pipeline Corporation, 2016 ABCA 382

Publications

Professional Appearances

Speaker : Making Effective Use of Experts & Expert Evidence
Blakes Business Class Seminar, Calgary, Alberta, June 18, 2025.
Speaker : Recent Updates and Cutting-Edge Issues in Canadian Construction Law
The Canadian Bar Association, National Webcast, May 13, 2025.
Speaker : Performance Security and Insurance Issues in Infrastructure Projects
Construction Law, North Alberta Section, The Canadian Bar Association, Webcast, March 24, 2025.
Co-speaker : A Refresher and Update on Limitations Law in Alberta
CBA Alberta Section, The Canadian Bar Association, Edmonton, Alberta, November 5, 2024.
Co-speaker : Recent Judicial Decisions of Interest to Energy Lawyers
Canadian Energy Law Foundation, Jasper, Alberta, June 15, 2023.
Co-speaker : Construction Dispute Resolution Seminar Series: Preserving Privilege
Blakes Business Class Seminar, Calgary, Alberta, June 8, 2023.
Co-speaker : Construction Dispute Resolution Seminar Series: Change Order Management and De-Scoping
Blakes Business Class Seminar, Calgary, Alberta, May 1, 2023.