Partner

Lasha Uplisashvili joined BLC Law Office in 2008 and was promoted to partner in 2022. He is a recognised name in Georgia’s energy, infrastructure, construction, and real estate markets, with extensive experience advising domestic and international investors, developers, contractors, financial institutions, and public-sector entities on complex and strategically significant projects. His practice spans renewable and conventional energy generation projects, major infrastructure developments, real estate investments, and FIDIC-based construction projects.

Lasha advises clients throughout the full lifecycle of a project, from investment structuring, legal due diligence, land acquisition, permitting, licensing, and regulatory compliance to negotiating with the Government of Georgia and relevant state entities, and drafting and negotiating implementation agreements, PPP agreements, construction contracts, and other key project documents. He has particular expertise in FIDIC contracting, including the preparation of Particular Conditions, contract administration, variations, claims, extensions of time, and dispute avoidance. 

Alongside his transactional and advisory practice, Lasha represents clients in high-value commercial litigation, international arbitration, dispute board proceedings, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution, particularly in complex construction, infrastructure, and energy disputes. He has also contributed to the development of Georgian legislation and regulatory frameworks in these sectors.

Representative Experience

 

  • Advised on the development of numerous major renewable energy and thermal power projects in Georgia, covering the entire project lifecycle, from project initiation, structuring and negotiations with government bodies to financing, construction, commissioning and operation. 
  • Participated in major M&A transactions involving renewable energy, infrastructure and real estate projects in Georgia, conducting comprehensive legal due diligence, advising on transaction structuring and risk mitigation, and coordinating transactions through to closing. Also advised investors on the permitting, regulatory and operational aspects of the acquired projects. 
  • Advised on major PPP and infrastructure projects, including project structuring, the preparation and negotiation of agreements with the Government of Georgia, and regulatory and implementation matters. 
  • Advised parties to FIDIC contracts on major domestic and cross-border projects. Drafted and negotiated contracts based on the FIDIC 1999 and 2017 Red and Yellow Books, as well as the Pink, White, Green and Silver Books and other bespoke forms of contract. Drafted and negotiated FIDIC Particular Conditions and provided full-scale contract administration support, including contractual correspondence, variations, payment matters, extensions of time, claims preparation and management, and dispute avoidance. 
  • Advised the Government of Georgia on legislative drafting and regulatory reform, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, renewable energy support mechanisms and energy efficiency. 
  • Regularly represents domestic and international clients in construction, infrastructure and energy disputes arising under FIDIC and other complex project contracts, including dispute avoidance and adjudication board proceedings and international arbitration. 
  • Represented clients in disputes arising from the design and construction of hydropower plants and wastewater infrastructure facilities, including complex claims concerning delay, variations, additional costs, payment obligations and contractual responsibility.
Recognition

The latest Legal 500 edition ranks Lasha as a “Next Generation Partner.” Clients particularly recognize his client-oriented approach, effectiveness, understanding of international business, and ability to clearly explain the nuances of Georgian contracts. Legal 500 also notes that Lasha "is well regarded in the market for energy work”.

IFLR1000 identifies his principal practice area as project development and has previously praised his “swift responsiveness, high competency in his field, international approach, [and] excellent communication skills.” “He has great knowledge and experience in his field, is easy to communicate with, always responds quickly to our requests and gives us advice" also notes IFLR1000.

Education & Credentials
  • LL.M., Public International Law and EU Law, Riga Graduate School of law
  • LL.B., Tbilisi State University 
  • Member of the Georgian Bar Association
  • Accredited Arbitrator of the Georgian Association of Arbitrators
Languages

English, Georgian and Russian.