Bruce E. Falconer

Bruce first came to Alaska in 1981 directly out of law school to clerk for Alaska Supreme Court Justice Warren Matthews.  He then worked for a large San Francisco law firm for several years, returning to Alaska for good in 1987. His practice has focused principally on serving Chandler, Falconer, Munson & Cacciola’s commercial and municipal clients in both litigation and transactional matters.  He has tried cases in state and federal court, before arbitration panels and special masters, and has a proven track record of getting excellent results for his clients, a sampling of which is listed below.  He has particular expertise in municipal construction, condemnation and real estate matters, as well as in the resolution of complex business disputes.  When not working to advance his clients’ interests, he can be found on a local golf course, the ski slopes, or hiking in the Chugach Mountains with his dogs. Bruce passed away on July 18, 2022.

Representative Cases

• Drafted and successfully defended in both Superior Court and Alaska Supreme Court borough occupational license tax on lodge operators and guides against equal protection and substantive due process challenge. Katmailand. Inc. v. Lake and Peninsula Borough, 904 P.2d 397 (Alaska 1995).
• Obtained dismissal of federal court lawsuit brought by ANCSA Regional Corporation against ANCSA Village Corporation seeking to nullify Village Corporation’s consent rights to oil and gas development, the settlement of which was critical in progressing development of the Alpine Oil Field on Alaska’s North Slope.
• Secured judgment quieting title to tide and submerged lands on behalf of City of Nome in factually and legally complicated real property scenario, prompting judge in case to write a letter lauding “the best legal work I have seen in my 7 ½ years on the trial bench.”
• Co-counsel in successful defense of large fish processor in case brought by Bristol Bay salmon fishermen alleging price-fixing.
• Won multi-million dollar arbitration award on behalf of subcontractor against prime contractor on project to install fiber optic cable in Trans-Alaska Pipeline ROW.
• Achieved multi-million dollar recovery on behalf of ANCSA Village Corporation in seismic trespass lawsuit.
• Obtained policy limits against architects and recovered substantial damages from general contractor in lawsuit arising out of design and construction of new K-12 school in King Cove, Alaska.
• Secured multi-million dollar recovery in arbitration between joint venture partners in complex construction equipment accounting dispute.
• Recovery of millions of dollars on behalf of numerous private property owners in condemnation cases brought against them by the State of Alaska.
• Representation of Alaska municipalities in connection with ROW acquisition for road projects and project to extend rail line to Port MacKenzie.
• Complete vindication of real estate appraiser in Alaska Supreme Court decision overturning alleged USPAP violations found by Alaska Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers.