Austin D. Thacker

Austin D. Thacker is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Orlando and Miami offices and a member of the firm's Construction Practice Group. Mr. Thacker focuses on serving general contractors, homebuilders, owners, developers and manufacturers in a range of industrial, commercial and infrastructure projects, including public, private and government contracts.

Mr. Thacker represents public and private entities in the negotiation and drafting of design and construction contract documents, and serves as project counsel on a variety of commercial, residential and mixed-use development projects. He also represents prime contractors and owners in the development and construction of commercial condominiums, hotels, resorts and mixed-use projects. In addition, Mr. Thacker also represents various owners, developers and contractors throughout the design and construction phases of projects, including, but not limited to, the negotiation and drafting of design and construction documents, project administration, risk mitigation and avoidance, alternative dispute resolution and, when necessary, resulting dispute resolution (e.g., arbitration, litigation, etc.). Mr. Thacker has experience handling claims for construction defects, inefficiency/delay damages, water intrusion, construction-related product defects, lien foreclosure and related tort claims and contract disputes. In addition, he works with local governments to address the needs of clients related to zoning, comprehensive plans, concurrency, developments of regional impact, procurement issues, due diligence and other property entitlements and rights necessary to the development and construction of various projects.

Mr. Thacker also has extensive experience representing clients in the energy industry such as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors and turbine manufacturers on power plant projects both domestically and abroad. He also routinely represents prime and EPC contractors in a variety of matters related to reservoir, highway, bridge and other infrastructure projects.

Mr. Thacker also represents various owners, developers and contractors throughout the design and construction phases of projects, including, but not limited to, the negotiation and drafting of design and construction documents, project administration, risk mitigation and avoidance, alternative dispute resolution and, when necessary, resulting dispute resolution (e.g., arbitration, litigation, etc.).

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Thacker clerked at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). In addition to this experience, he has a background in banking, finance and insurance from prior roles with international financial institutions.

In the community, Mr. Thacker is active in volunteering for local organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement, the Association of Christian Youth Sports, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Children's Home Society, the Faine House and Boy Scouts of America. He also currently serves as guardian ad litem for the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association and is an active member of the American Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division and Forum on Construction Law.