Steven G. Bardsley

As a civil trial lawyer for the last twenty-five years, Steve Bardsley has developed extensive experience in multiple practice areas, with recognized skill in professional liability, environmental law, and construction law. He has achieved positive results for his clients in all manner of cases, from slip-and-fall personal injury cases to multi-million dollar claims related to alleged errors and omissions, construction delays, environmental contamination, fire, collapse, catastrophic personal injury, and death.  Steve has an undergraduate degree in engineering, which serves him well in sorting through technically complex construction issues.

Steve counsels owners, contractors and design professionals on tactics to avoid problems that can arise during construction projects, and prepares, negotiates, and reviews contract documents with a keen eye toward minimizing future liability.  As a litigator who has successfully brought hundreds of cases to resolution, Steve understand the costs, risks and tactics of courtroom trials, private arbitrations and mediation.  His primary focus is always on solving client problems in the most efficient and ethical manner.

In his practice as a mediator, Steve brings to bear that same practical problem-solving approach.  He is not only fluent in construction law, but also in the construction process, because it is important to understand the role of each project participant and how they depend on each other.  He encourages the parties to realistically assess their risks, tries to create a meaningful, productive and positive dialogue, and tenaciously drives toward a mutually acceptable resolution.  He believes in the importance of fairness in the process and dignity in the outcome.

Admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and before the Supreme Court of the United States, Steve has earned numerous accolades including the following:

• Martindale-Hubbell, recognized as the gold standard in attorney ratings, gives him an “AV” rating, which is the highest awarded level, and notes his “very high to preeminent legal ability…a reflection of his expertise, experience, integrity, and overall professional excellence.”
• Chambers & Partners, an independent international company dedicated to surveying, researching, and ranking attorneys and law firms, has identified him as a “notable practitioner,” ranking him as one of the top construction litigators in Pennsylvania.
• His peers have selected him as a SuperLawyers® Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney and voted him a Main Line Today Magazine “Top Lawyer.”

Steve is regularly invited to share his expertise with construction trade organizations and professional societies. He is a member of the Legal Counsel Forum for the American Council of Engineering Companies, and of the Society of American Registered Architects.  He is also on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance.  He has completed extensive training as a mediator and arbitrator and has been approved to join the American Arbitration Association’s Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators.  He also sits as a Judge Pro Tempore in the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania.

Steve lives with his wife Lynn Deithorn in Malvern, Pa.  He is the proud father of three outstanding young men, an avid but mediocre golfer, an aspiring cyclist and a lover of beer and travel.