Adam Polakoff specializes in defending architects, engineers, and other design professionals in construction litigation, and drafting and negotiating strong contracts to avoid claims in the first place.
Mr. Polakoff is a Special Counsel in Severson & Werson’s Construction Group. Mr. Polakoff has successfully represented contractors and design professionals in matters involving both residential and commercial projects, as well as in complex litigation. Mr. Polakoff also represents other professionals, including real estate brokers and attorneys in litigation and arbitration.
In addition to litigation, Mr. Polakoff protects clients by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating construction contracts with an eye to risk mitigation, insurability, and fairness. His deep knowledge of the law, creativity, and issue spotting skills allow him to use contractual language to address potential disputes before a project even begins. Increasingly, Mr. Polakoff’s transactional practice also extends well beyond the construction industry.
Prior to joining Severson & Werson in 2012, Mr. Polakoff was an associate at Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk & Rabkin, where he represented clients in general litigation and appellate matters, including the successful argument to the California Supreme Court that Proposition 8 cannot be applied retroactively to already-married same-sex couples. Mr. Polakoff s also worked as in-house counsel for a national engineering and planning firm.
Areas of Practice
Education
- University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D., cum laude, 2007
- University of California, Santa Cruz, B.A. in Literature, 1999
Admissions
- California