Smith Currie Oles LLP

38 Best Lawyers awards

Smith Currie Oles LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Construction Law

Biography

Allison has advocated extensively for clients in government contracts litigation before the Boards of Contract Appeals (BCA) and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, as well as in bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO). In these processes, she places clients in the best position for successful outcomes by covering all bases and ensuring she’s diligently safeguarding their rights under specific contract clauses. Outside of dispute resolution, Allison also advises government contractors regarding transactional matters, with particular experience in SBA compliance and size certification issues.

With a comprehensive background in contract drafting and negotiations, Allison has developed an extensive library of custom-form construction contracts tailored for differing jurisdictional requirements, client needs and asset types. Her outstanding attention to detail and speed-reading abilities enable her to quickly zero in on potentially problematic language when reviewing contracts.

As a certified construction risk and insurance specialist, Allison always looks to mitigate liability by advising clients on indemnification provisions and state-specific statutes, as well as insurance provisions and requirements that affect contractual risk transfer.

Taking a congenial and professional approach to all matters, Allison works collaboratively with all parties whenever possible and looks for creative methods to resolve differences.

The recipient of numerous awards for her legal work, Allison Geewax represents clients in government contract matters, complex commercial contract drafting and negotiation and construction risk management. In her multifaceted practice, Allison serves corporations operating in a variety of industries – large and small government contractors, Fortune 500 investment banks, international hospitality companies, commercial real estate developers and owners, among others. She brings a broad and deep knowledge base to guide her clients through all phases of contracting processes, construction projects and legal procedures.
Smith Currie Oles LLP

38 Best Lawyers awards

Smith Currie Oles LLP logo

Overview

  • The George Washington University, J.D., graduated 2014
  • Penn State, B.A., Economics; B.A., Spanish; B.A., International Studies, graduated 2010

  • Virginia, Virginia State Bar, 2024
  • District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar, 2015
  • Maryland, Maryland State Bar Association, 2014

  • Virginia State Bar - Member
  • DC Bar Association - Member
  • National Contract Management Association, District of Columbia Chapter - Member
  • Maryland State Bar Association - Construction Law Section, Member
  • American Bar Association - Forum on Construction Law, Member
  • American Bar Association - Section of Public Contract Law, Member

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United State Court of Federal Claims
  • District Court & Bankruptcy Court of the District of Columbia
  • District Court of Maryland
  • Supreme Court of Virginia
  • District of Columbia Court of Appeals
  • Court of Appeals of Maryland
  • Virginia, Virginia State Bar, 2024
  • District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar, 2015
  • Maryland, Maryland State Bar Association, 2014
  • Virginia State Bar - Member
  • DC Bar Association - Member
  • National Contract Management Association, District of Columbia Chapter - Member
  • Maryland State Bar Association - Construction Law Section, Member
  • American Bar Association - Forum on Construction Law, Member
  • American Bar Association - Section of Public Contract Law, Member
  • The George Washington University, J.D., graduated 2014
  • Penn State, B.A., Economics; B.A., Spanish; B.A., International Studies, graduated 2010
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United State Court of Federal Claims
  • District Court & Bankruptcy Court of the District of Columbia
  • District Court of Maryland
  • Supreme Court of Virginia
  • District of Columbia Court of Appeals
  • Court of Appeals of Maryland

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Construction Law
Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America from 2024-2025 for work in:
  • Construction Law - 2025
  • Construction Law - 2024
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Government Relations Practice
Awards:
  • Super Lawyers, Virginia, Construction Litigation, Rising Star, 2024

  • Super Lawyers, Washington, D.C., Construction Litigation, Rising Star, 2020-2023

  • Chambers USA, Construction in District of Columbia, Up and Coming, 2022-2023

  • Emerging Women Leader in Law, DCA Live, April 2023

  • Chambers USA, Construction in District of Columbia, Associate to Watch, 2021

Additional Information

Spinning circle Big letter B

Case History

Cases
  • Successful Arbitration
Represented a condominium developer in its default termination of a general contractor, resulting in judgment in the developer’s favor and the successful defense of approximately $1 million in counterclaims.
  • Debriefings
Represented multiple disappointed offerors in preparation for VA, NOAA, and other agency debriefings and subsequent evaluation of information obtained in debriefings for potential bid protest basis.
  • Successful Bid Protest
Successfully represented disappointed offeror in filing GAO protest and obtaining near-immediate corrective action of Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to reject offeror’s proposal. Allison successfully argued that, in both procurements, the Corps had evaluated proposals based on unstated criteria and that the Corps had improperly rejected a small business from competition based on responsibility-related factors without requesting a Certificate of Competency from SBA.
Transactions
  • Construction Contract Drafting/Negotiation - Chain Hotels
Acted as lead outside counsel responsible for negotiation of agreements for construction of new hotels for one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, and assisted with ongoing project management and counseling for construction administration issues and purchase and sale agreements.
  • Construction Contract Drafting/Negotiation - Boutique Hotel
Negotiated and drafted all construction-related agreements for the development of a $17 million 50-room boutique hotel in downtown Charleston, SC with approximately 40,000 sq. ft. of space, which opened in 2023 and is now ranked as the top hotel in Charleston.
  • Construction Contract Drafting/Negotiation - Developer/Lender
Served as one of two primary outside counsel responsible for negotiation of agreements for construction for a Fortune 500 investment bank and financial services company for projects across the country, with an aggregate yearly construction value of more than $2 billion.
  • Size/Status Certification
Represented small and disadvantaged businesses in state and federal certification processes.

Your browser is not fully compatible with our automatic printer friendly formatting.

Please use the print button to print this profile page.

Spinning circle Big letter B