About Geoff
Geoff practices in the firm’s Litigation section and is experienced in a wide array of general civil litigation. Geoff has handled numerous personal injury and wrongful death cases, including medical malpractice defense, tractor-trailer accidents, and product liability matters. He is also involved in the firm’s Commercial Litigation section where he has handled numerous cases involving allegations of financial fraud and numerous matters relating to loans and sale of insurance. Geoff also handles a variety of transportation related matters.
Geoff has tried numerous cases to verdict in favor of defendants. This includes cases involving medical malpractice, personal injury, and wrongful death. Geoff has tried cases to successful defense verdicts involving claims of alleged medical malpractice involving psychiatric care, post-operative infection, alleged misdiagnosis, and alleged improper nursing care. Geoff recently received a defense verdict in favor of the defendant in a claim arising out of alleged injuries related to a workplace-related incident. Geoff’s medical malpractice experience includes the defense of a wide variety of claims alleged against hospitals, physicians, and pharmacists. This includes a wide variety of claims ranging from alleged misdiagnosis, long-term care, surgery, and alleged improper diagnosis, among others.
Notable Reported Decisions:
Fike v. Peace, Fed. Appx. 308 (11th Cir. 2007) Summary judgment in favor of manufacturer/shipper on an oversized load involved in a tractor trailer accident in Northeastern Alabama resulting in death and personal injuries.
Ex parte Sawyer, 892 So. 2d 898 (Ala. 2004) Granting a petition for writ of mandamus changing venue in favor of defendant Alabama Department of Mental Health.
Zurich American Insurance v. Volvo Trucks, 133 Fed. Appx. 741 (11th Cir. 2005) Affirming a motion to dismiss granted in favor of Volvo Trucks in a products liability/indemnity action arising out of a tractor trailer accident.
Holton v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina, 56 F. Supp. 2d 1338 (MD Ala. 1999) Granting summary judgment in favor of defendants on claims of fraudulent misrepresentation, suppression, conspiracy to defraud, and breach of contract.
Fike v. Peace, 2007 WL 3132747 (ND of Ala. 2007) Granting summary judgment in favors of defendants on wrongful death and personal injury claims resulting from a tractor trailer accident.
Fike v. Peace, 964 So. 2d 651 (Ala. 2007) Holding in favor of defendants on certified questions from the Northern District of Alabama that the defendant shipper/manufacturer did not have non-delegable duties related to an oversized and over-dimensional load being transported by a transportation company.
Webb Wheel v. Hanvey, 922 So. 2d 865 (Ala. 2005) Holding that the defendant employer could not be held liable on a claim of retaliatory discharge.
Other Significant Matters:
Summary judgment in favor of tractor manufacturer in a product liability case arising out of a fire that destroyed a tractor and trailer. J.H.O.C., d/b/a Premier Transportation, et al. v. Volvo Trucks of North America, Inc., U.S.D.C. for the Northern District of Alabama, Civil Action Number CV-07-J-1216-NE.
Summary judgment in favor of defendant American Cast Iron Pipe Company in a personal injury case arising out of a workplace injury. Thomas Ashley Abney v. American Cast Iron Pipe Company, et al., Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama, Civil Action Number CV-2007-00819.
Swartz v. Falcon Financial, U.S.D.C. for the Northern District of Alabama, Civil Action Number CV-03-BE-0504-W, granting summary judgment in favor of defendant on claims of fraud and breach of contract arising out of the purchase of an automotive dealership.
Geoff has also tried several medical malpractice cases to verdicts in favor of the defendant involving claims of improper psychiatric care, post-operative infection, improper medical testing, and alleged failure to diagnose a paraesophageal hernia.
Geoff’s primary practice involves cases in the Alabama State Trial Courts and Federal District Courts. Geoff has also handled matters before the Alabama Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and has practiced in Texas and Virginia State Courts. Geoff is a member of the American Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar, the Virginia State Bar, the Birmingham Bar Association and the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association.
Geoff grew up in a military family and lived in numerous places around the world and the United States. He came to Alabama upon accepting his Federal Judicial Clerkship with The Honorable W. Harold Albritton III in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.
Geoff received his B.S., cum laude, in Economics from Virginia Tech. He received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served as an Articles Editor for the Virginia Environmental Law Journal.
What community projects are you involved in?
I’m a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and often involved in volunteer efforts at Shades Cahaba Elementary School. In addition, I’m involved in coaching the youth soccer league for Homewood, Alabama.
What was your first job?
I worked as a sporting goods store salesman.
What are your hobbies?
Woodworking, indoor soccer.
What advice would you give to a young student in law school?
Try to understand how what you are doing fits into the bigger picture.