A mediator with unmatched
construction law depth
William D. Clifford, Esq. has been a Shareholder and Director at Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. since 1984, where his practice centers on the drafting, negotiation, litigation, and mediation of construction and surety claims. His construction practice has involved airports, stadiums, convention centers, schools, bridges, highways, public housing, steel mills, electrical power plants, commercial office buildings, and prisons.
"The secret to resolution is persistence and creativity — and never giving up without using every available tool."
Having represented owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, developers, public agencies, design professionals, and sureties throughout his career, Bill understands every seat at the table. He served as Adjunct Professor of Construction Law at Duquesne University School of Law from 2003 through 2019, and has mediated over 150 construction cases.
Sessions are available in person or by video conference, with parties welcomed from across Pennsylvania and beyond.
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Duquesne University School of LawJ.D., Cum Laude, 1981 · B.S., Bucknell University, 1978
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Shareholder & Director, Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.1984 to present · AAA-ICDR Panel Member
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Bar Admissions & Panel MembershipPennsylvania · U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit · U.S. District Court, W.D. Pennsylvania · AAA-ICDR Panel Mediator (Neutral ID: 150766)
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AssociationsAllegheny County Bar (Construction Law Section, former Chair) · ABA Forum on Construction Industry · Construction Lawyers Society of America
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Publications Exculpatory Clauses, BreakingGround 2023 · When a Win is a Loss, BreakingGround 2016 · PBI Press 2013
How a mediation works
The process is built around preparation. By the time the parties are in the room, every position has been reviewed and the day is spent working toward settlement.
Parties submit and exchange written statements at least one week before the session. Bill reviews all materials in advance.
Bill conducts confidential telephone conferences with counsel for each party to understand positions and objectives.
A brief joint plenary session is followed by breakout sessions. Parties are guided through the facts and then toward monetary positions and resolution.
Bill stays with a mediation until every tool has been used — brackets, mediator proposals, and candid evaluations of each side's position.
Construction dispute
resolution services
From ground-breaking to post-completion litigation, Bill has mediated disputes at every phase of construction and among every kind of party.
75 of Bill's 150+ mediated cases involve owner-contractor disputes — covering scope, change orders, payment, and project delivery on projects of every scale including airports, stadiums, power plants, and large residences.
50 cases spanning scope-of-work disputes, payment and retainage, scheduling conflicts, and back-charge claims between general contractors and their subcontractors or suppliers.
Experienced in standard of care disputes, errors and omissions claims, and design-build issues between owners and architects or engineers.
Deep expertise in liquidated damages, schedule impacts, acceleration claims, and inefficiency disputes arising from project delays and disruptions.
Skilled mediation of surety bond claims, insurance coverage disputes, subrogation claims, and surety takeover issues involving sureties, owners, and contractors.
Resolution of unpaid contract balances, mechanic's lien disputes, False Claims Act issues, and ERISA claims — preserving cash flow and business relationships.
Video mediation for parties who cannot meet in person, held with the same structure as an in-person session — pre-mediation conferences, a joint opening, and private caucuses.
In the press & in print
Four decades of recognized expertise — in courtrooms, classrooms, and the pages of leading legal publications.
- 2023Exculpatory Clauses: Will Pennsylvania Courts Permit Owners to Convert Terminations for Default into Terminations for Convenience?BreakingGround Magazine, March/April 2023
- 2023GESA: The Intersection of Pennsylvania's Separations and Guaranteed Energy Savings ActsDMC Article, January 2023
- 2016When a Win is a LossBreakingGround Magazine, Jan./Feb. 2016
- 2013Pennsylvania Construction Law: Project Delivery Methods, Execution, and CompletionContributing Author, PBI Press, 2013
- 2010Contractors on Projects Involving Federal Funds Better Dot Their I's and Cross Their T'sBreakingGround Magazine, Sept./Oct. 2010
- 2022Mediation Mini CampPennsylvania CLE, Co-Speaker, Dec. 2022
- 2021Best Interests Attorney ProgramPennsylvania CLE, Oct. 2021
- 2018Construction Law Academy 7-Week SeriesPennsylvania CLE, Speaker, Apr.–Oct. 2018
- 2007Builder Legal Update: The New Mechanic's Lien Statute & the Bilt-Rite DecisionBuilders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, Co-Presenter
- 2025Recognized as Best Lawyers in America® Award RecipientBest Lawyers®, August 2025
- 2024Honored with ACBF Pro Bono AwardAllegheny County Bar Foundation, Sept. 2024
- 2024ACBA Construction Law Achievement Award & Kathryn M. Kenyon Leadership AwardAllegheny County Bar Foundation, 2024
- 2016Best Lawyers in America® "Lawyer of the Year" — Construction Law, PittsburghRecognized annually in Best Lawyers® since 2006 in Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
- 2004–Pennsylvania Super Lawyers®Selected every year 2004–2024
- 1997–AV Preeminent® Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell®, highest possible rating, since 1997
Work with us
Complete this form after your mediation session has been scheduled and confirmed. We will use this information to prepare your Agreement to Mediate and send it to all parties for signature.
For general questions about mediation services, fees, availability, or anything else — reach out below. We respond within one business day.
What counsel and clients say
Bill is one of my go to Mediators. I know he will be prepared and work hard to get it done.
Bill is an exceptional mediator who is very effective. He has the knowledge and skill to guide difficult parties to an amicable resolution — a true talent.
I met Bill as an adverse party to a construction dispute nearly 20 years ago. Seeing his skills as an advocate, I was happy when he offered mediation services. Bill has aided in getting several matters resolved. Bill stays with it until he can drive the parties to overlap.
Bill's name is at the top of my list when I need a go-to mediator for difficult disputes. He knows construction and construction law. He extensively prepares. He then conveys seriousness and substance during the mediation process that causes decision makers to respect his views and recommendations. Put simply, Bill's greatest strength is the gravitas he projects as the mediator.