ATLANTA — Bringing together nearly three decades of combined construction industry and legal experience, Zack Rippeon has joined Adams & Reese as a Partner in the firm’s Atlanta office. Known for his dual expertise as both a practicing construction lawyer and a former project manager and engineer, Rippeon strengthens one of the nation’s most respected construction law teams.
Rippeon joins Adams & Reese from Smith Currie Oles, where he served as a Partner for 12 years. Before that, he practiced with Burr & Forman. His early career began on the construction side — serving as a project manager and engineer for firms overseeing large-scale developments across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. That hands-on field experience continues to influence his legal approach today.
“While many attorneys in the construction industry are knowledgeable in both legal matters and industry practices, Zack is that ideal dual threat who has the direct, shoes-in-the-mud experience combined with years of legal practice,”
said Chris Derden, Adams & Reese Construction Practice Group Leader and Partner in the firm’s Houston office.
Derden, who oversees the Construction Practice alongside Team Leaders Trent Cotney in Tampa and David Toney in Houston, noted that Rippeon’s addition comes at a critical time for the region.
“Zack is the perfect addition to our Construction practice in Atlanta, a market with a substantial surge in recent construction activity and infrastructure upgrades across various industries and emerging businesses,” Derden added.
The addition of Rippeon expands the Adams & Reese Construction Practice Group, which is nationally recognized by Chambers and ranked among the Top 20 Construction Law Firms by Construction Executive. The firm’s Construction team now includes nearly 100 attorneys licensed across 35 states, advising clients from coast to coast on complex project development, litigation, and risk management.
Rippeon, who is licensed to practice in Georgia and Texas, said the move to Adams & Reese aligns perfectly with his clients’ regional needs and the firm’s geographic footprint.
“Adams & Reese offers an incredible footprint in booming construction markets,” said Rippeon. “With my clients doing substantial business in key states throughout the Southeast region – where the firm has a strong presence – the move to Adams & Reese expands and deepens the representation my clients need. I look forward to contributing to the construction practice’s strong national reputation within the industry.”
Since 2022, Rippeon has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for his excellence in both Construction Law and Construction Litigation. His practice encompasses advisory, transactional, and dispute resolution services for contractors, owners, subcontractors, and developers.
He handles a full range of matters including breach of contract, delay claims, large-scale defects, structural failures, and payment disputes. As project counsel, he also assists clients with contract drafting, change order management, compliance, and documentation, ensuring projects remain on track legally and operationally.
Rippeon’s reputation as both a legal advisor and industry thought leader is reinforced by his ongoing engagement in professional associations and educational programs. He is an active member of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the AGC Georgia Chapter, the ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Mentor Program, and the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia (CEFGA) — all organizations focused on advancing professional excellence and workforce development within the construction industry.
In addition to his legal work, Rippeon is a frequent speaker and author on topics including construction contract best practices, claims avoidance, and professional engineering liability. His thought leadership has been featured in industry publications and conferences throughout the Southeast.
Rippeon holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia (1999) and a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University (2008). His engineering background gives him a technical edge in navigating the complexities of construction disputes, design defects, and project management challenges.
With Rippeon’s arrival, Adams & Reese continues to expand its footprint in high-growth markets like Atlanta, which has seen an uptick in infrastructure, industrial, and mixed-use development. His addition underscores the firm’s commitment to providing comprehensive, experience-driven legal counsel to clients operating in an increasingly complex construction landscape.
About Adams & Reese
Adams & Reese LLP is ranked nationally by Chambers USA and recognized as a Top 50 Construction Law Firm by Construction Executive. The firm has one of the largest construction law practices in the U.S., with nearly 100 attorneys dedicated to the sector and a total of more than 330 attorneys and advisors across offices in 10 states and Washington, D.C.
The firm’s footprint includes Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, serving clients across multiple industries with a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and results-driven legal representation.
Originally reported by Adams & Reese in Construction Dive.
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