Bruce D.

Partington

Position: Partner
Office: Pensacola

Bruce Partington is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Construction Team, where he focuses on construction law, construction litigation, and commercial litigation for clients throughout Florida and beyond.

Bruce is a board-certified construction lawyer with nearly 35 years of experience representing owners, developers, design professionals, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and lenders in connection with construction projects and litigation. His client service strategy begins with developing a thorough understanding of the legal, factual, and technical aspects of the matter at hand. Bruce’s experience in transactional, commercial, and contractual matters, combined with his skilled advocacy in trial and appellate courts, enables him to deliver sophisticated, timely counsel at every step of the contract negotiation, claims, and dispute resolution processes.

Bruce's practice encompasses the full spectrum of project-related matters, from initial contract drafting and negotiation through dispute resolution in state and federal courts, arbitration, and mediation. He regularly represents clients involved with multifamily housing and condominiums, medical facilities, retail and industrial development, and public and municipal projects throughout Florida. His construction contracting experience includes drafting and negotiating construction, design-build, engineering procurement and construction, architect, and related agreements.

With significant experience in construction finance, Bruce counsels clients through loan disbursements, payment issues, and the negotiation of loan terms. Drawing on his experience representing lenders, developers, investors, owners, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals, Bruce provides what he describes as "three-dimensional counsel" regarding construction financing matters. This all-sides perspective enables him to better negotiate and helps clients better understand and navigate complex financing arrangements.

Bruce's litigation practice focuses on construction disputes, commercial litigation, real property litigation, and appeals. He is regularly called on for his experience in both contract drafting and dispute resolution processes in public and private projects throughout Florida and beyond, handling matters in state and federal courts as well as in arbitration and mediation. His litigation work encompasses construction defects, delay claims, payment disputes, lien enforcement, bond claims, contract interpretation, and professional liability matters. Bruce has successfully represented clients in complex, multi-party construction disputes involving major commercial, residential, and institutional projects.

Bruce has been board certified in construction law by The Florida Bar since 2005, the first year the certification was offered, and has been recertified every five years since. A charter fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America and a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, he is recognized as a leader in Florida construction law. Among other accolades, Bruce was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Construction Law Institute of The Florida Bar in 2023, becoming only the second lawyer north of Orlando to receive this honor.

Bruce is deeply engaged in the construction law community and has held numerous leadership positions. He currently serves as chair of the Construction Law Committee of The Florida Bar's Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section and sits on the section’s Executive Council. Bruce previously chaired The Florida Bar's Construction Law Certification Committee, for which he served as vice chair. Bruce is also an active member of the American Bar Association's Forum on Construction Law, where he participates in multiple divisions focused on contract documents, design, insurance and surety, and litigation and dispute resolution.

Beyond his legal practice, Bruce is committed to serving his community in Pensacola. He is past president of the Rotary Club of Pensacola and has been an active member since 1999. Bruce previously served as president of the Pensacola Museum of Art and held various leadership positions with Christ Church Episcopal, including as senior warden.