Robert J. Balch is a Principal in the Firm's Casualty Litigation Department and leads the Department in the Firm’s Allentown Office, which serves Northern and Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He litigates matters which frequently involve complex issues and catastrophic injuries and damages. His representative clients include insurance companies, third-party administrators, international, national and regional corporations, municipalities, and elected officers.
As Co-Chair of the Firm's Liquor Liability Practice Group, Mr. Balch has successfully defended bars, restaurants, casinos, fraternal organizations, colleges, clubs, and property owners from allegations of improper alcohol service, lax security, hazing, and criminal conduct by patrons, employees, and guests. He presents frequently on trends and changes which impact the alcohol service industry and works closely with clients on developing and improving alcohol service policies and procedures.
Mr. Balch’s products liability practice includes the defense of national and international manufacturers and distributors sued for civil damages stemming from consumer products, medical devices, manufacturing equipment, and automobiles alleged to have been defective and caused injury. He is often retained to oversee and conduct investigations before civil litigation commences, including most recently a multi-state investigation involving an international consumer product manufacturer. Mr. Balch has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star each year since 2013 in the area of Products Liability Defense.
Mr. Balch maintains an active premises liability practice. His representative clients include pools; country clubs; casinos; bowling alleys and other family entertainment facilities; condominiums and condo associations; schools and universities; fraternal organizations; management companies; hospitals; snow and landscape contractors; and grocery chains. His practice includes representation of municipalities and academic institutions sued for personal injury, civil rights, and statutory violations.
Mr. Balch is certified in advanced mediation training and tactics. He frequently engages in ADR in support of his clients’ interests and has served as an arbitrator and neutral.
Mr. Balch has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star each year since 2013. In 2017, he was named to Lehigh Valley Business Magazine's "Forty Under 40," an annual list that recognizes, “the Greater Lehigh Valley's most accomplished young businessmen and women who share a commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and to the community." Also in 2017, he was named a SelectLawyer by Lehigh Valley Style magazine. For information about these selections and an overview of common third-party publications, rankings, and lists methodologies, click here.
Mr. Balch is active in providing volunteer legal services and received the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania’s Pro Bono Roll of Honor award for the services he provided to members of the community who were unable to afford legal representation. His most recent pro bono assignments resulted in a dismissal of all charges and defense verdict for his clients.
Prior to obtaining his law degree, Mr. Balch worked in management for a multi-state utility company, supervising a team of unionized field employees in New York City. He entered law school and worked full-time while completing his law degree, including serving as a law clerk to a Superior Court Judge in Warren County (NJ).
Outside of the office, Mr. Balch serves as an elected officer of a non-profit community organization and volunteer youth coach.
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