With a distinguished career spanning a quarter-century, Steve Bardsley has emerged as a seasoned civil trial lawyer, excelling across multiple practice areas with a particular focus on professional liability, environmental law, and construction law. Steve's proven track record includes securing positive outcomes for clients in a diverse range of cases, from slip-and-fall personal injury matters to multimillion-dollar claims involving alleged errors and omissions, construction delays, environmental contamination, fire, collapse, catastrophic personal injury, and wrongful death. His background in engineering, evident in his undergraduate degree, equips him to navigate the intricacies of technically complex construction issues with precision.
As a strategic advisor, Steve counsels owners, contractors, and design professionals on proactive measures to mitigate potential issues during construction projects. His keen eye for detail is evident in the meticulous preparation, negotiation, and review of contract documents aimed at minimizing future liability. With a litigator's acumen honed through the successful resolution of hundreds of cases, Steve is well-versed in the costs, risks, and tactics associated with courtroom trials, private arbitrations, and mediation. His unwavering commitment is always directed toward efficiently and ethically solving client problems.
In his role as a mediator, Steve brings forth a practical problem-solving approach, leveraging not only his legal prowess but also an in-depth understanding of the construction process. Encouraging realistic risk assessments, fostering meaningful dialogue, and steadfastly driving toward mutually acceptable resolutions are integral to his mediation philosophy. Fairness in the process and dignity in the outcome are core principles that guide his practice.
Admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and before the Supreme Court of the United States, Steve has garnered numerous accolades. Martindale-Hubbell, the gold standard in attorney ratings, bestows upon him an "AV" rating—the highest level—recognizing his very high to preeminent legal ability and overall professional excellence. Chambers & Partners, an independent international authority, identifies him as a "notable practitioner," ranking him among the top construction litigators in Pennsylvania. His peers have acclaimed him as a SuperLawyers® Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney and a Main Line Today Magazine "Top Lawyer."
Steve actively shares his skills with construction trade organizations and professional societies, holding memberships in the Legal Counsel Forum for the American Council of Engineering Companies and the Society of American Registered Architects, among others. He serves on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance. Steve has completed extensive training as a mediator and arbitrator, earning approval to join the American Arbitration Association's Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators, and serves as a Judge Pro Tempore in the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania.
Residing in Malvern, Pa., with his wife Lynn Deithorn, Steve is a proud father of three outstanding young men. Alongside his legal pursuits, he indulges in golf, cycling, and a love for beer and travel.
