Bruce R. Grace, Partner

Bruce Grace’s practice concentrates on intellectual property disputes and complex insurance and reinsurance disputes.  Much of his practice is international.  He represents a French pharmaceutical company in a variety of IP disputes, including bringing an action for theft of trade secrets concerning a drug delivery technology.  He has provided strategic counseling on the Hatch Waxman Act, provided advice regarding licensing agreements for a variety of drug products, and pursued a major antitrust claim against a pharmaceutical company, which resulted in a successful settlement.

Mr. Grace has represented both London and domestic insurance companies on a number of difficult and unique matters arising out of mass torts.  For example, he negotiated an agreement allocating latex gloves defense costs among a variety of both claims-made and occurrence policies.  He successfully pursued contribution rights in the U.S. against a U.K. carrier under a non-U.S. insurance contract. 

Earlier in his career, Mr. Grace was co-counsel in the FMC Front Royal Virginia site environmental coverage trial.  After a three-month jury trial in California, the jury rendered a defense verdict.  This verdict was selected by the National Law Journal as among the most significant defense verdicts of that year.

Mr. Grace has also represented professional liability insurers in coverage disputes.  He obtained a ruling in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals that fee forfeiture awards do not fall within the scope of professional liability policies.  Mr. Grace has handled advertising liability coverage cases, pollution and environmental liability cases, and antitrust coverage cases.  He has argued in the Delaware Supreme Court, the Third Circuit, the Ninth Circuit, and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, as well as in a number of federal district courts and state trial courts.

Mr. Grace has represented London Market Reinsurers on matters that span across multiple subject areas.  He has provided counseling on reinsurance issues arising out of the massive Andina Coffee fraud, claims made under workers compensation carve out policies, claims under Directors and Officers policies, including Enron claims, and sexual harassment claims.  He has also provided advice with respect to reinsurance issues arising out of various types of product liability claims, including blood product, medical devices, lead paint, breast implant, and asbestos claims.

Mr. Grace has acted as lead counsel in a number of arbitrations.  Those arbitrations have involved disputes over allocation, late notice, follow the fortunes, claim settlement practices and procedures, loss presentations under multi-year policies, and accumulation issues.  He has also arbitrated issues of bad faith.

Mr. Grace represented London Market Reinsurers in litigation involving one of the largest insolvency proceedings in the U.S.  That litigation presented a number of issues under a variety of quota share and common account treaties.  He continues to provide advice to reinsurers with respect to U.S. insolvencies.

Mr. Grace has had lengthy experience with alternate dispute resolution methods.  He has successfully resolved a number of multi-million dollar claims through private settlements and mediation.  The mediations have included several international and complex multi-party settlements.

Publications, Presentations and Events

• "The Reinsurance Documentation Requirements - A Constructive Approach to the Current Asbestos Claims Crisis"

Professional Affiliations

• ARIAS

Other Experience

• Law Clerk to the Honorable Laurence H. Silberman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit