
Bruce W. Ficken chairs the firm’s Construction Law Group and is a recognized authority in representing clients in construction and commercial litigation, as well as managing risk in construction projects. As lead counsel he has successfully conducted more than 60 major trials in the United States and in international arbitrations.
He has also helped numerous owners and developers with contract documentation, contract and project administration, and dispute avoidance and resolution. Bruce is an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and as a mediator he has successfully helped resolve major construction disputes.
For several years, Bruce has served as co-chairman of the Construction SuperConference, held annually as one of the leading conferences in his field. He frequently lectures at the invitation of various professional groups.
He has presented at events sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Philadelphia Bar Association, Federal Publications, the Contract Specification Institute, the School of Engineering of the University of Wisconsin, the American Arbitration Association (AAA), and the Practising Law Institute.
He is co-editor and co-author of Construction Litigation, (Editions I and II) published by the Practising Law Institute, and Hazardous Waste Disposal and Underground Construction Law, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. He is a contributing author for the Construction Law Handbook (Aspen Publications) and Moisture Control in Buildings (ASTM Publications).
Bruce received his bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna University and earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from Dickinson School of Law. While in law school, he was the managing editor of Dickinson Law Review.
EXPERIENCE :
- Representation of the private developer for the rebuilding of the World Trade Center towers following the 9/11 attacks, including two expedited arbitrations, one of which resulted in an award of more than $100 million and the other which resulted in a settlement which resolved a four-year feud between the client and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
- Defense of the concrete contractor and related insurance companies in connection with the tragic collapse of the Tropicana parking garage in Atlantic City, both in OSHA proceedings and in extensive multi-party litigation in state court. Following mediation all matters were settled.
- Representation of a general contractor in connection with a $700 million elevated rail program for a public authority in a major urban city, following the contractor’s wrongful termination. Settled for significant compensation to the general contractor and the public authority abandoning all counterclaims following mediation.
- Prosecution of claims and defense of significant counterclaim on behalf of the electrical subcontractor for the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Arbitration resulted in dismissal of the general contractor’s counterclaim, a substantial award of damages, plus attorneys’ fees to the subcontractor.
- Defense of an architectural firm sued for pervasive mold and mildew contamination of a 16-story hotel. Claim against architect dismissed and architecture fees awarded following arbitration.
- Defense of fill producer from claims on more than 20 commercial and retail sites in and around Richmond, Virginia, for differential structural settlements allegedly caused by expanding coal-ash fill. Settled for a fraction of exposure predicted by insurance carriers.
- Defense of a developer against a contractor’s claims in excess of $20,000,000 arising out of an EPC power plant construction project in Cali, Columbia. All claims were dismissed following trial before ICC arbitrators.
- Consulting with a major international chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturer to devise a uniform system of contract administration for worldwide contracting.
- Contract documentation, contract administration and dispute resolution services for a $130 million environmental remediation project for a major oil company.
EDUCATION :
- Dickinson School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1976
- Susquehanna University, B.A., 1970
BAR ADMISSIONS : Pennsylvania
AFFILIATIONS :
- The Whitemarsh Foundation- Board Member
- Legacy Youth Tennis and Education- Board Member
- Susquehanna University- Board Member
Cost
Rate : $$$
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