| All three of the principals of WallacePledger (Arch, Rich, Jim) began their practices in the field of Construction Law. Arch entered the field of construction and surety law litigation in 1968 when E.C. Womack, Inc. defaulted on the construction of nine major projects (interstate highways, military base housing, a civic center and an underground utility project) in four states. The Womack defaults involved seventy-six trials, two appeals, the completion of the nine jobs with contractors and federal and state owners, and two separate indemnity actions in which millions of the ultimate loss to the surety were recovered. The seven year effort ultimately cost the surety six million dollars, the second largest surety loss then experienced in North America.
Because of this early involvement in both surety and construction matters Arch has been frequently called ever since in an ever widening circle of cases for owners, contractors, and sureties in settings involving government and school construction, bridges, dams, public utilities, courthouses, commercial buildings and industrial plants.
In 1991 Arch and Rich first teamed up in this area of practice as the influx of cases continued. By 1994 Rich had taken the lead in surety matters while Arch continued to concentrate in the construction field. Both helped the other as this area of their shared practice grew.
Since then Rich has routinely represented a number of sureties in both construction and commercial matters, many involving multiple project defaults and related claims. Rich's construction practice has also expanded to include public and private owners, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. He has handled claims involving a variety of projects, including waste water treatment plants, pipelines, tunnels, hotels, shopping malls, courthouses and public schools. As a result of his approach and recognized experience in handling construction claims, Rich has also been retained by former adversaries to represent their interests in construction and business matters as well.
Long before 2002, when they formed WallacePledger, both Arch and Rich were recognized beyond Virginia for their expertise in construction and surety matters. Today, both are members of the prestigious National Bond Claims Association, both are asked to speak and write of their expertise, and both are involved at the ABA and State Bar levels in their field.
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