vCardA former Attorney General for the state of Alaska (2012 – 2014), Mike Geraghty has been providing legal counsel to organizations impacting Alaska’s growth and history for more than 35 years. Mike uses his deep experience, knowledge and relationships to advise clients on multi-faceted complex cases, including class actions and anti-trust. He has appeared before the Alaska Supreme Court in matters ranging from sovereign immunity, insurance bad faith and administrative law to attorney-client privilege, OSHA regulations, contract claims, shareholder disputes, products liability, and premises-landowner liability. Mike has appeared as lead counsel in civil and criminal law matters, as well as proceedings before the OSHA Review Board, the Alaska State Commission on Human Rights, and the U.S. Land Commission. He has tried cases to verdict before juries across Alaska including Fairbanks, Anchorage, Barrow, Kenai, and Dillingham.
Prior to his role at Attorney General, Mike was a partner in the Anchorage law firm DeLisio Moran Geraghty & Zobel, PC, with a practice devoted exclusively to litigation and appeals before state and federal courts. Mike received the Alaska Bar Association Board of Governors’ Professionalism Award in 2007 “in recognition of exemplary conduct in his association with the public, his colleagues and the legal community.” A lifelong Alaskan, Mike is an active volunteer with Special Olympics serving as a coach for the swim team.
Representative matters
Defended Native corporation subsidiary from claims involving its surety arising out of a failed arbitration in San Francisco, California.
Represented a prime contractor in complex multi-party suit claiming several hundreds of millions of dollars in damages arising out of large-scale improvements to the Port of Anchorage, at the time the largest public works project in the state.
Successfully defended at trial a large municipality in Alaska against claims by prime contractor for several million dollars relating to a significant rehabilitation project.
Defended municipality in Alaska against multi-million dollar claims arising out of first ever design and construction of sewer collection system and lift stations for the community.
Defended contractor against first ever homicide indictment in Alaska against corporation for a worker fatality that occurred on the North Slope of Alaska, culminating in a four-week trial.
Defended design engineer against claims brought by municipality in Southeast Alaska for claims relating to design and construction of a new wastewater treatment facility.
Successfully extricated Native corporation from $50 million judgment obtained in Texas state court that was tried by large national firm involving, among other things, disputed insurance coverage issues.
Defended design engineers against claim brought by large mine owner arising out of construction of a critical new facility to house process equipment.
Represented prime contractor from Pacific Northwest against claims asserted by subcontractor against prime and municipality owner arising out of new road construction in southcentral Alaska.
Defended native corporation subsidiary for breach of contract claims filed in California federal court arising out of joint venture agreement between client and national engineering firm.
Successfully defended subsidiary of nation-wide engineering firm at trial over claims arising out of subcontractor’s termination in connection with construction and implementation of complex missile-defense system in Alaska.
Successfully defended large Native Corporation in arbitration arising out of alleged partnership dispute involving real estate and improvements worth several million dollars.
Successfully defended large Native Corporation in arbitration arising out of alleged partnership dispute involving real estate and improvements worth several million dollars.
Successfully pursued claims at trial on behalf of Native corporation subsidiary for self-dealing and corporate waste against former president and minority shareholder, which included an award of punitive damages.
Publications & Presentations
- Co-Author, “Possible Relief from Trump’s Steel Tariffs for Federal Contractors,” AGC-AK Contractor Magazine, Winter 2019
- Co-Author, “Contractors Beware: Alaska’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act Applies to You,” AGC-AK Contractor Magazine, Winter 2017
Affiliations
- Volunteer, Special Olympics
- Member, Society of Attorneys General Emeritus (SAGE)
Awards & Honors
- Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2008-present
- Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law, 2006-present
- Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants, Lawyer of the Year, 2018
- Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants, 2011-present
- Fellows, American Bar Foundation, 2011
- Board of Governors Professionalism Award, Alaska Bar Association, 2007
- Governor appointed, Uniform Law Commissioner, National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, 2005
News & Insights
- Oles Morrison is Ranked Among Nation’s Top Law Firms by U.S. News – Best Lawyers®
- Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker LLP attorneys selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2019
- Serving Our Clients for 125 Years
- Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker Attorneys Named “Best Lawyers in America”
- Congratulations to our six attorneys who were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2017 edition of Best Lawyers in America.
- Craig Rusk and Michael Geraghty to Present at AGC of Alaska
- Doug Oles, Pete Ralston and Mike Geraghty Recognized by American Bar Foundation
- Oles Morrison Announces Two New Partners