Partner
Geoff M. Williamson
Legal Assistant
Geoff Williamson represents a wide variety of public and private clients in water, environmental, and land use matters. His work includes water rights litigation in Colorado’s water courts and advising clients on a broad range of water and environmental issues arising out of real estate and corporate transactions. Geoff also handles water quality issues and has experience across the western U.S. with other federal environmental statutes such as the Endangered Species Act and NEPA. In addition to his water and environmental work, Geoff has represented public and private companies of all sizes in breach of contract and other business disputes.
Geoff began practicing law at BHGR in 2005, and then worked at a national law firm in Denver and a boutique water law firm in Boulder before returning to BHGR in 2018. Geoff earned his law degree at the University of Michigan Law School and holds a bachelor’s degree in History from the College of William & Mary, where he graduated summa cum laude as a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Experience
Water Rights
Geoff’s water rights practice encompasses all aspects of Colorado water law, including water court applications, the purchase and sale of water rights, and due diligence evaluations. Geoff represents municipalities, ranches, homeowners, corporations, and others seeking to acquire, develop, and protect water rights throughout Colorado. Geoff has extensive experience assisting clients with changes of water rights, plans for augmentation, and well permitting issues.
Water Quality
Geoff’s water quality practice includes participation in rulemaking hearings before the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission relating to water quality standards, temporary modifications, and water quality policy. Geoff also assists clients with discharge permitting issues and other matters involving the Water Quality Control Division.
Environmental Law
Geoff handles environmental due diligence efforts during real estate and corporate transactions, including a review of Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments. Geoff also has experience advising clients on Endangered Species Act and NEPA issues, both in the context of property development and litigation.
Land Use
Geoff has experience representing property owners in land use proceedings, including special use permitting and telecommunications tower siting applications.
EDUCATION & ADMISSIONS
JURIS DOCTOR
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LAW SCHOOL, 2004
BACHELOR OF ARTS
COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY, 1999
Colorado
2004
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
2006
U.S. District Court, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
2012
U.S. District Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
2012
Professional Associations
American Bar Association
Boulder County Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
Community Involvement
Volunteer Coach, Bear Creek Elementary School Cross Country and Track Program (2015 to 2018)
Colorado Cancer Research Program, Board of Trustees (2010 to 2017)
CO-LABS, Board of Directors (2014 to 2016)
Metro Volunteer Lawyers, Pro Bono Volunteer (2009 to 2014)
Leadership Boulder Country, Class of 2012
Boulder County Bar Association, New & Young Lawyers Section Co-Chair (2007 to 2009)
Publications
Speaker, “Recent Developments in Colorado Water Law,” Water Rights in Colorado Conference, National Business Institute (July 2013)
Lauren E. Schmidt & Geoffrey M. Williamson, “Recent Developments in Climate Change Law,” 37 The Colorado Lawyer 63 (November 2008)
Contributor, Colorado Energy News, an online publication covering Colorado’s energy industry (2010 to 2011)
Editor and Contributor, FOREcast: Funding Opportunities for Renewable Energy, a quarterly newsletter published by Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP (2009 to 2010)
Geoffrey’s Blog
“Workouts & Workarounds” in Commercial Real Estate
On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, managing partner, Giovanni Ruscitti, moderated a panel on "Workouts and Workarounds" within the Boulder Valley commercial real estate industry. This session was part of BizWest's annual Boulder Valley Real Estate Conference. Joining him...
Water access on the Front Range
Attorney, Megan Gutwein, participated in BizWest's Confluence Colorado Water Conference on Thursday, October 22. Joining Megan were panelists Brad Wind, general manager, Northern Water, Patrick McMeekin, vice president of land development and partner, Hartford Homes....
Updated Client Alert: State of Colorado Evictions Procedure During COVID Regulation
On June 13, 2020, Governor Polis issued an executive order temporarily curtailing eviction proceedings to provide relief to Coloradans affected by COVID-19. Since then, the Governor has issued a series of extensions and added requirements on how evictions may proceed....
In the News
Kathleen Alt Talks Business Security
Our Boulder community was hit with a senseless act of violence on March 22, 2021. And while time seemed to stop for hours, the night came, we woke, and for many, it was business as "usual." Employers have already been met with the extensive and ever-changing...
#BoulderStrong
Boulder is our home. Boulder is our community. The senseless acts of violence at the King Soopers in South Boulder on March 22, 2021, leave us deeply saddened and horrified. On behalf of the firm, our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the families affected by...
Dziewit to present to the BCBA in March
Attorney Halina Dziewit will be presenting an intellectual property CLE course to the Boulder County Bar Association, Wednesday, March 10, from 12 - 1 p.m. Halina is a member of Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti's intellectual property legal team. Her background...
Firm Happenings
Kathleen Alt Talks Business Security
Our Boulder community was hit with a senseless act of violence on March 22, 2021. And while time seemed to stop for hours, the night came, we woke, and for many, it was business as "usual." Employers have already been met with the extensive and ever-changing...
Client Alert: Summary of New Coronavirus Relief Bill
Authors: Kathleen Alt and Aisha I. May In March 2020, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law in order to provide both individuals and businesses with relief. On December 21, 2020, Congress approved the second...
CLIENT ALERT: The Equal Pay For Equal Work Act
Effective January 1, 2021, Colorado employers must take steps to comply with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (“EPEWA” or the “Act). This new law prohibits all employers in the State from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex, to include gender...