On September 4, 2026, Bachara Construction Law Group will be celebrating both “904 Day” and a significant anniversary: BCLG opened its doors on this auspicious date 19 years ago!
Since BCLG’s founding in 2007, the firm has represented a wide range of clients in some of Northeast Florida’s most high-profile construction matters.
- Soon after opening, BCLG defended a design/build contractor in federal court against claims by a hospital that their HVAC system was under-designed. After a three-week bench trial, the court found in favor of our client and awarded them all costs.
- The firm recovered in excess of $10M on behalf of JAXPORT over defective pavement design at Dames Point Marine Terminal.
- The team successfully defended Environmental Holdings Group (EHG) against a bid protest on their $8M contract to demolish the old Duval County Courthouse and City Hall Annex; then went on to represent the City of Jacksonville to break up a log jam with Turner Construction that significantly delayed the opening of the new courthouse.
- BCLG lawyers were heavily involved in the litigation resulting from the tragic collapse of the Berkman Plaza II parking garage for several years. Later, they worked on behalf of the building’s implosion subcontractor, resulting in the demolition of the project more than 14 years after the initial incident.
Today, Bachara Group attorneys serve as outside construction counsel for more than a dozen local and regional contractors and trades, along with large healthcare providers, municipal entities, universities, and nonprofits including the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine, the Episcopal Diocese of Florida, and the Museum of Science & History (MOSH).
“BCLG’s success has resulted from wonderful clients, direct knowledge of the construction industry, laser focus on construction law, lawyers [*see list below] who are unwaveringly dedicated to excellence, and the support of a brilliant and hard-working admin and paralegal team comprised of Diane McGovern, Brenda DeVaux and Susie Marcin,” said Chip Bachara, managing partner. “In recent years, we have also been fortunate to welcome our office neighbors from Balch & Bingham, Geremy Gregory and Patrick Krechowski, as a valued resource.”
The firm has been recognized by its peers via Super Lawyers, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, the Jacksonville Business Journal and Best Lawyers in America ®/Best Law Firms®, which have (respectively) named Chip Bachara Construction Lawyer of the Year 7 times and repeatedly recognized BCLG as a Tier One Construction Law/Litigation practice. The firm has also been recognized by London-based Chambers & Partners, a leading independent legal research company operating across 70 countries and 200 jurisdictions. One of only 8 construction law firms statewide to be featured in their first-ever Florida Regional Spotlight in 2024, the Bachara team was ranked again in 2025.
“There have been some bumps along the way,” said Bachara. “The Great Recession hit our nation – and the construction industry – a few months after we opened our doors; Hurricane Irma kicked us out of our offices for a while, and the pandemic gave the entire legal system a crash course in remote proceedings in 2020.”
“Mostly, though, there has been a lot of satisfying work with – and for – a lot of outstanding people. In 2023, we expanded our reach with a new office in St. Petersburg. But the 904 – and 9/04 – will always hold a special place in our hearts. We look forward to continuing our tradition of service in our 20th year!”
*BCLG lawyers over the years: Chip Bachara, Chris Bracken, Alban Brooke, Brian Crevasse, Roscoe Green, Hugh Higgins, Will Hilton, Todd MacLeod, Mark Pionessa, Avery D. Sander, Julie Sears, Tracy Valente, Todd Whitcomb, Brent Zimmerman.