News

Malvern Workers' Comp Office Fends Off Move to Montco—For Now

Max Mitchell | August 17, 2018

The workers' compensation facility at Century Plaza in Malvern is expected to stay put—at least until the start of next year.

News

Real Estate Fraud Spins Out Malpractice Suit Against Clark Hill

Scott Flaherty | August 17, 2018

The Detroit-based firm is battling claims that one of its lawyers could have done more to uncover a massive fraud involving a former reality TV star.

News

Pa. Firm Claims It 'Wasted' $300K on FindLaw's 'Ineffective' Web Marketing Services

Zack Needles | August 17, 2018

On Aug. 16, a federal judge granted FindLaw's request to transfer the lawsuit from the Western District of Pennsylvania to the District of Minnesota based on the forum-selection clause in a series of contracts entered into by the parties.

Commentary

Most Comparison Disciplines Lack Scientific Validity, Report Finds

Amelia Maxfield| August 17, 2018

For nearly a decade the Pennsylvania Innocence Project has been successfully challenging the use of unvalidated or outdated forensic sciences through advocacy for those wrongly convicted.

The Public Interest Calendar of Events

The Legal Intelligencer| August 17, 2018

On Sept. 17 through Oct. 5, the Philadelphia Bar Association’s DLSC pro bono subcommittee is set to host one-hour “pro bono road shows” at participating law firm and corporate offices throughout Philadelphia to highlight pro bono opportunities and recruit new volunteers.

Commentary

Third Circuit Precedents Offer Rays of Hope in Wake of 'Jennings'

Golnaz Fakhimi| August 17, 2018

lthough public opinion about immigration detention is divided, the due process requirements of our Constitution are clear: immigration detention is lawful only if implemented through fair procedures and done for a legitimate purpose, namely, preventing danger to the community or preventing flight from immigration enforcement.

Commentary

Proposed Rulemaking Under the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act

Patricia C. Collins| August 17, 2018

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor proposed changes to regulations regarding exemptions from the overtime and minimum wage requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

People in the News—Aug. 17, 2018—Saxton & Stump

Victoria Hudgins | August 17, 2018

Saxton & Stump hired Stephen J. Fleury Jr. as an associate who focuses his practice in labor and employment law, post-acute care and health care litigation.

News

Memo: PENNVEST Loan Eligibility Criteria Reform Suggested

Victoria Hudgins | August 17, 2018

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority should be reformed to address who can obtain loans and allow the agency to offer refinancing for local governments that originally used a private lending institution to fund their storm water management system, according to a memo issued by a local senator.

News

Stiffer Penalties Proposed for Misclassification of Construction Workers

Victoria Hudgins | August 17, 2018

A state representative seeks to increase the penalties for misclassifying construction employees as independent contractors.

News

Capitol Report

Zack Needles | August 16, 2018

Following is a listing of legislative action for the week of Aug. 13. Members of the state House of Representatives are scheduled to go back to work on Sept. 12. Pennsylvania senators are set to return to session on Sept. 24.

News

Employment Case Against Mitsubishi Open, Shut, Open—and Possibly Shut Again

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 16, 2018

In a case of procedural ping-pong, a federal judge has vacated an order reopening an employment action against a division of Mitsubishi, instead giving the plaintiff an opportunity to challenge a previous ruling that dismissed the case without prejudice.

Prosecutors Detail Financial Motive in Shooting of Mayer Brown Partner

Roy Strom | August 16, 2018

A dispute over family money allegedly led Stephen Shapiro's brother-in-law, John Gately III, to kill, prosecutors said.

News

Plaintiff Was Not Seriously Hurt in Collision, Motorist Asserted

VerdictSearch| August 16, 2018

On July 17, 2015, plaintiff Victoria Frino, 56, was driving north on Knights Road, in Philadelphia. When she reached the intersection with Woodhaven Road, her minivan broadsided the passenger's side of a sedan. The sedan had been traveling south on Knights Road and attempted to turn left at the intersection. Frino claimed permanent neck and back injuries.

Commentary

Effect of Rejected Trademark License Agreement on Rights of Use

Rudolph J. Di Massa Jr. and Keri L. Wintle| August 16, 2018

Section 365(a) of the Bankruptcy Code permits a debtor or trustee, subject to bankruptcy court approval, to reject an executory contract and release the debtor’s estate from burdensome contractual obligations that may impede the debtor’s successful reorganization.

Expert Opinion

Ethics Forum: Questions on Answers on Professional Responsibility

Samuel C. Stretton| August 16, 2018

With all the commentary about the U.S. Supreme Court nomination and lesser commentary about U.S. Courts of Appeal and Federal District Courts, what should be the standards for selecting a good jurist?

Commentary

Deep Data Visualization Key to Unlocking Meaning in E-Discovery

Jonathan Snyder| August 16, 2018

Want to understand which pieces of data really matter? It’s time to ditch the pie charts and bar graphs.

News

Court Says Eyewitness Testimony in Crash Case Was Improper but Harmless

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 16, 2018

The Pennsylvania Superior Court has ruled that the testimony of a motorist who witnessed a fatal crash during snowy conditions should not have been permitted, but even so, the testimony did not harm the plaintiff's case.

News

Supreme Court Isn't on Trump's Side as He Bashes Media

Tony Mauro | August 16, 2018

Here are some of the statements U.S. Supreme Court justices have made in landmark decisions about the importance of a free press.

Commentary

Is Your Employee Handbook Up to Date? Compare It With This Checklist

Brian D. Lipkin| August 16, 2018

When you are preparing or revising an employee handbook, this checklist may be helpful.

News

Man Who Injured Waitress With Forcible Kiss Hit With $3M Verdict

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 16, 2018

Waitresses are used to dealing with bad customers. Few, however, end up having to sue one, and fewer still end up with a $3 million jury award after being injured by a diner who couldn’t keep his hands to himself.

Commentary

Declaratory Judgments May Not be as Appealable as You Think

James M. Beck| August 16, 2018

Declaratory judgments present particularly vexing issues of appellate procedure. In part, these problems arise from their peculiar nature—seeking a “declaration” of rights in advance of an actual controversy—which can verge on improper advisory opinions.

Commentary

On the Critical Use of Forms: Handy Tools With a Few Exceptions

Christopher E. Ezold| August 16, 2018

Being thorough is a primary hallmark of a good attorney. Litigation provides many opportunities to be thorough—or to miss a small detail. In order to avoid an error, it is therefore tempting to be too thorough.

News

Ruling That Reinsurers Can Owe Defense Costs Beyond Policy Limits Stands

Zack Needles | August 16, 2018

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will not disturb a first-impression ruling by the state Superior Court that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, a reinsurer’s policy limit does not cap defense costs.

News

Court: Plaintiff Injured in Snow Tubing Crash Failed to Show Defendants Had Duty

Zack Needles | August 16, 2018

The panel ruled 2-1 to uphold a York County trial court's grant of summary judgment to defendants Snow Time and Ski Roundtop Operating Corp.

People in the News—Aug. 16, 2018—University of Pennsylvania Law School

Victoria Hudgins | August 16, 2018

General Michael V. Hayden, former CIA and NSA director, is scheduled to appear at the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law of the University of Pennsylvania Law School from 5-6:30 p.m. on Sept. 13 to discuss his book, “The Assault on Intelligence: American National Security in an Age of Lies.”

News

Shapiro, 34 Other AGs File Amicus Briefs Citing States' 'Unique Role' in Fixing Opioid Crisis

Amanda Bronstad| August 15, 2018

Opioid manufacturers and one distributor say the complaint against them lacks specifics to back up deceptive trade practices and public nuisance claims. But the amicus briefs said none of that mattered because a state has a “unique role” in the opioid crisis.

News

Recently Retired Phila. Commerce Court Judge Heads to ADR

Max Mitchell | August 15, 2018

After nearly 25 years on the bench handling numerous high-profile cases and becoming a part of the court's leadership, McInerney is gearing up to take that expertise to JAMS where she will do private alternative dispute resolution.

Commentary

Exchange Students, Visitors: You May Be Barred From US and Not Know It

Natalia Gouz| August 15, 2018

Last week, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) put into effect a new policy that significantly impacts the foreign student and exchange visitor population in the United States.

Attention Area Lawyers: Perfect Your Pitch With Help From Top In-House Counsel

Vanessa Blum| August 15, 2018

ALM’s Perfecting Your Pitch program in New York and San Francisco is a forum for women lawyers to practice pitch delivery and receive valuable feedback from in-house lawyers.

Commentary

Law Firms Need Informal Reporting Programs to Quash Sexual Harassment

Gwen Mellor| August 15, 2018

By establishing a neutral reporting resource for inappropriate behavior, firms can help keep women safe and satisfied, benefiting everyone.

People in the News—Aug. 15, 2018—Gross McGinley

Victoria Hudgins | August 15, 2018

Constance K. Nelson, an attorney with Gross McGinley, was appointed to the Third Street Alliance for Women and Families board of directors.

News

Phila. Cozen O’Connor Attorney Jennifer Marie McHugh Dies At Age 52

Victoria Hudgins | August 15, 2018

Jennifer Marie McHugh, 52, died on Aug. 7 from metastatic breast cancer.

News

Holland & Knight Recruits Phila. Litigation Leader From Reed Smith

Lizzy McLellan | August 14, 2018

Partner Carolyn Short is the latest in a parade of Reed Smith lawyers joining Holland & Knight this summer.

News

Will the Church Sex-Abuse Grand Jury Report Lead to New Civil Suits?

Max Mitchell | August 14, 2018

While some attorneys said the report could lead to a wave of new cases, other lawyers were skeptical and said there likely won't be much effect on sex abuse litigation in Pennsylvania without changes in the law.

Profile

Longest-Serving Philadelphia Court Employee Has Probably Handled Your Divorce

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 14, 2018

Dennis O'Connell, 70, has been a divorce master for 30 years out of his 45-year career in the Philadelphia court system.

Commentary

Emerging Alcohol Categories: The Strange Case of Hard Seltzer

Alva C. Mather| August 14, 2018

Over the past several years, a new category of alcoholic beverage has emerged known as “hard seltzer.”

News

Read the Report: Grand Jury Findings Released Outlining Sex Abuse Across Pa.

Nate Robson | August 14, 2018

The release of the report has been closely watched as the attorney general and several of those named in the report fought over whether it could be made public.

News

Saul Ewing Conflict Case Refiled in Illinois State Court

Lizzy McLellan | August 14, 2018

Ex-client Farva Jafri claims a partner at the firm referred a case against her to his own father.

People in the News—Lamb McErlane—Aug. 14, 2018

Victoria Hudgins | August 14, 2018

Lamb McErlane attorney Darren Smith is scheduled to present on a panel regarding lobbying regulations at the state and local level for the Bucks County Bar Association on Wednesday.

PLW People in the News—Aug. 14, 2018—Dilworth Paxson

Victoria Hudgins | August 14, 2018

Dilworth Paxson’s Renardo "Rick" Hicks, a partner in the firm’s Harrisburg office, was chosen to serve on the Middle District Judicial Selection Advisory Committee.

News

Report Says Law Firm Demand Hit New Heights in Second Quarter

Roy Strom | August 14, 2018

Demand for law firms' services in the second quarter of 2018 grew more than in any quarter during the past six years, according to an analysis by Thomson Reuters.

News

Reed Smith Says Tech Summer Associate Program Will Return Next Year

Meghan Tribe | August 13, 2018

After a successful launch, the firm said it's already seeing some "exciting" resumes for next year's legal technology summer associate program.

News

3rd Circuit: Sentence of Convict Labeled 'Career Criminal' Must Be Re-evaluated

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 13, 2018

In light of a U.S. Supreme Court decision declaring the law was too vague as to what constitutes a violent career criminal, a convicted murderer's mandatory 15-year sentence on a gun charge will have to be re-examined, a federal appeals court ruled.

Former K&L Gates, Morgan Lewis Partners Open Small Firm in Dallas

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys| August 13, 2018

Ann Marie Arcadi and Gregory Jackson worked together at a pair of global legal giants before branching out on their own.

Commentary

9th Circ. Reconsiders the Propriety of Counting a Dead Judge’s Deciding Vote

Howard J. Bashman| August 13, 2018

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Judge Stephen Reinhardt died suddenly and unexpectedly earlier this year on March 29. Since then, the Ninth Circuit has issued two appellate rulings in which Reinhardt provided the decisive vote in favor of the outcome of those appeals.

News

Pa. Federal Judge Says Insureds Can Bring UTPCPL Claims Against Insurers

Steven A. Meyerowitz| August 13, 2018

A federal district court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, recognizing an intra-district split that has been going on for a few years, has ruled that an insured’s claim against his insurer under Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL) was not barred by the economic loss doctrine.

News

J&J Can't Dodge Pfizer's Antitrust Suit, Judge Rules

Max Mitchell | August 13, 2018

The ruling allows Pfizer to proceed with its antitrust lawsuit against J&J on allegations that rebate programs J&J entered into with insurers and hospitals were designed to curb competition.

Commentary

Firefighting Foam to Blame for Widespread Water Contamination

Joshua Cohan| August 13, 2018

Municipalities and individuals living near military bases are discovering that their water supplies have been contaminated by use of firefighting foam that contains chemicals causing life-threatening illnesses.

Sheriff's Sale Notices

The Legal Intelligencer| August 13, 2018

The Sheriff's Sale mortgage foreclosure notices for the September 11, 2018, sale, along with the August tax sales, are now available.

People in the News—Aug. 13, 2018—Katherman Briggs & Greenberg

Victoria Hudgins | August 13, 2018

Katherman Briggs & Greenberg personal injury and wrongful death attorney Evan Kline presented at the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Solo & Small Firm Section Conference in Bedford.

Russian Company Represented by Reed Smith Loses Bid to Dismiss Mueller Charges

C. Ryan Barber | August 13, 2018

"The appointment does not violate core separation-of-powers principles," U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich wrote on Monday, rejecting a motion from defense lawyers at Reed Smith. "Nor has the special counsel exceeded his authority under the appointment order by investigating and prosecuting Concord."

Commentary

Proposed Ohio Bill Would Force Teachers to Out Transgender Teens

Angela D. Giampolo| August 10, 2018

The state of Ohio’s House of Representatives is considering legislation that forces educators, therapists, and social workers to out transgender minors to their parents or face fourth-degree felony charges.

Commentary

Proposed Changes to Endangered Species Act Regulations

Kenneth J. Warren| August 10, 2018

On July 25, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published several proposed amendments to its regulations implementing the Endangered Species Act. Some of these changes, if adopted, would make it easier for public and private projects to proceed notwithstanding the risks they pose to endangered and threatened species.

News

Law Firms Looking to Game the New Tax Law? Think Again

Meredith Hobbs | August 10, 2018

Licensing spinoffs? Partnerships of associates? The IRS and Treasury Department anticipated how law firms might try to take advantage of Trump's tax reforms—and said no way.

News

Pennsylvania Among States Vowing to Fight Car Fuel Rules

The Associated Press| August 10, 2018

State prosecutors from California to Massachusetts blasted the Trump administration for proposing weaker auto fuel-efficiency standards they said would imperil clean air and increase greenhouse gases.

People in the News—Aug. 10, 2018—Williams Family Law

Victoria Hudgins | August 10, 2018

Shauna L. Quigley joined Williams Family Law as an associate.

News

Capitol Report

Victoria Hudgins | August 09, 2018

Following is a listing of executive and legislative action for the week of Aug. 6. Members of the state House of Representatives are scheduled to go back to work on Sept. 12. Pennsylvania senators are set to return to session on Sept. 24.

News

Phila. Wants Wells Fargo to Turn Over Audits in Discrimination Row

Max Mitchell | August 09, 2018

The motion to compel says Wells Fargo is improperly "filtering" documents requested by the city and refusing to turn over any audits that do not specifically deal with both mortgage lending in Philadelphia and discrimination.

News

Mexican National Given Bond Hearing After Waiting 2 Years in County Lockup

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 09, 2018

A federal judge has ruled that a Mexican national who was taken into custody for deportation and kept in a cell for nearly two years is entitled to a bond hearing.

News

3rd Circuit Won't Let JPMorgan Avoid FINRA Arbitration Based on Forum Selection Clause

Charles Toutant | August 09, 2018

The Third Circuit has ruled that JPMorgan & Co. can't use a forum selection clause to avoid its obligation as a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority to arbitrate all claims brought against it by a client.

Defendant in Rear-End Collision Not Liable for Injuries

VerdictSearch| August 09, 2018

On Sept. 11, 2014, plaintiff Hassania Firoud, 53, a retail employee, was driving a minivan on Frankford Avenue, in Northeast Philadelphia. After she became stopped in traffic at Robbins Street, she was rear-ended by a sport-utility vehicle.

Jury Awards $850,000 Over Age Bias Claims

VerdictSearch| August 09, 2018

On April 1, 2014, plaintiff Ruth Briggs, 59, an executive assistant, was terminated from her job at Temple University.

Commentary

Harness the Power of the Integration Clause to Protect Your Business

Andrew J. DeFalco| August 09, 2018

Most business owners have seen “entire agreement” or “integration” clauses in contracts with employees, vendors, purchasers of their products and services, and joint venture partners. To many, it is boilerplate jargon that sounds strange and has little practical meaning.

Commentary

Potential New Tools to Sue for a Faster Cleanup

David G. Mandelbaum| August 09, 2018

Soil or groundwater cleanups can take a long time. When one person conducts the cleanup and another has an interest in its completion, the two can disagree over the pace of the project. That is typically a three-party issue involving the regulator—for example, the Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of Environmental Protection.

News

Insurance Policy’s Forum Selection Clause Did Not Require Remand to State Court, Judge Rules

Steven A. Meyerowitz| August 09, 2018

A federal district court in Pennsylvania has denied an insured’s motion to remand his action for underinsured motorist benefits against his insurance carrier to state court, rejecting the insured’s contention that remand was required because the insurer had waived its right to remove under the insurance policy’s forum selection clause.

Commentary

Ruling Provides Guidance on How to Address 'Actual Damages' Under RESDL

Alan Nochumson| August 09, 2018

In Phelps, for the first time, the Superior Court also outlined how courts in Pennsylvania should calculate “actual damages” under RESDL.

News

Pa. High Court's 'Roverano' Ruling Likely to Reshape Strict Liability Litigation

Max Mitchell | August 09, 2018

Attorneys agree the asbestos case will impact strict liability litigation broadly, and said the question regarding whether juries should consider settlements with bankrupt entities could have broader implications.

Ethics Forum: Questions and Answers on Professional Responsibility

Samuel C. Stretton| August 09, 2018

I am about to be sued and I don’t have legal malpractice insurance. Will I have any problems because I don’t have malpractice insurance?

News

Employers Can't Dodge Medical Payments With Revised Agreement, Court Rules

Lizzy McLellan | August 09, 2018

Cabinet Transport Inc. had refused to pay over $6,600 to Armour Pharmacy for an employee's medicine.

News

Sands Casino Denied Access to Social Media Accounts in Slip-and-Fall Case

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 09, 2018

"In the Facebook posts and in the portion of Mrs. Allen's deposition relied upon by defendant in support of their motion, there is nothing to suggest the unreliability of Mrs. Allen's claims with respect to the nature and scope of her injury, as none of the activities referenced show or suggest the strenuous use of her right shoulder," Judge Craig Dally said.

News

Ex-Morgan Stanley Lawyer Alleges Retaliation After Raising Corruption Concerns

C. Ryan Barber | August 09, 2018

U.S. labor judge confronts "unsettled" litigation-funding issue in whistleblower Christopher Garvey's case against the investment bank. Morgan Stanley contends Garvey, who was based in Hong Kong, voluntarily resigned.

Commentary

With Subrogation, It's the Injured Worker Left Paying the Price

Maureen “Morty” Cassidy| August 09, 2018

As plaintiff lawyers, we are familiar with the plight of the innocent victim following an injury. We regularly have conversations where an injured individual is forced to remortgage a home or sell property for financial support.

Commentary

Pa. Supreme Court to Decide Retroactivity of 'Birchfield v. North Dakota'

Anthony L. Ciuca| August 09, 2018

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted allocatur in Commonwealth v. Hays, 2018 Pa. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 176 (Jan. 19, 2018), on July 24, to decide the following: Should Birchfield v. North Dakota, 136 S. Ct. 2160 (2016), apply to all cases not yet final when the decision was rendered?

News

Ex-Congressman Fattah's Bribery Convictions Overturned, Eligible for Retrial

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 09, 2018

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit held Thursday that Fattah and wealthy friend Herbert Vederman should have a second chance on multiple bribery-related counts of the indictment against them, which allege a scheme involving Fattah trying to secure an ambassadorship for Vederman, among other things.

People in the News—Aug. 9, 2018—Raynes Lawn Hehmeyer

Victoria Hudgins | August 09, 2018

Raynes Lawn Hehmeyer partner Charles P. “Chuck” Hehmeyer spoke at the international metabolic conference in Minneapolis.

News

Municipal Judge's Jailing of Defendant Over Unpaid $239 Fine Yields $180,000 Settlement

Charles Toutant | August 09, 2018

A civil rights suit over a municipal judge's jailing of an indigent defendant for nonpayment of a $239 fine, a case that helped lead to the mounting calls for municipal court reform in New Jersey, has been resolved by a $180,000 settlement, according to records obtained by the Law Journal.

Analysis

Boutique Lesson for Big Law Firms: Rip Off the Tech Band-Aid

Lizzy McLellan | August 08, 2018

When it comes to the upside of painful technological upgrades, established firms could learn a thing or two from their own spinoffs.

Filing Fanatics

Arbitration Denied in Harassment Case Against Pfizer

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 08, 2018

A federal judge has denied Pfizer's request to arbitrate a sexual harassment-related employment lawsuit against the drugmaker. U.S. District Judge…

News

Student Expelled on Sex Assault Charge Can't Sue Rider as 'Doe,' Judge Says

Charles Toutant | August 08, 2018

The plaintiff's fear of social stigma fails to outweigh the general interest in favor of open judicial proceedings, U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne Bongiovanni ruled. And a statement to the media by Doe's lawyer in connection with the case also weighs against granting permission to proceed anonymously, she added.

Analysis

A Big Four-Branded New Law Competitor Could Be a ‘Safe Disruptor’

Roy Strom | August 08, 2018

Ernst & Young is the first of the Big Four to acquire a managed services firm. What happens next?

News

Immigration Judges' Union Files Grievance Over Phila. Judge Removal

Max Mitchell | August 08, 2018

Judge A. Ashley Tabaddor, who filed the grievance with the DOJ's Executive Office of Immigration Review, says the "decisional independence of immigration judges is under siege."

Commentary

'Janus v. AFSCME'—Top 5 Takeaways From Supreme Court Decision

Michael V. Puppio Jr.| August 08, 2018

On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled more than 40 years of established precedent by handing down a decision in favor of nonunion member public employees.

People in the News—Aug. 8, 2018—Fox Rothschild

Victoria Hudgins | August 08, 2018

Fox Rothschild hosted a panel discussion sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Philadelphia on July 31.

News

Gregory Harvey, 'Dean' of Election Law, Dies at 81

Max Mitchell | August 07, 2018

"He was equal parts brilliant, hysterically funny, intellectually rigorous, wholly gregarious," according to one of his Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads colleagues.

News

DC Circuit Says Prosecutor Discipline Records Fair Game in FOIA Suit

Scott Flaherty | August 07, 2018

Siding in part with a convicted fraudster's Freedom of Information Act request, the D.C. Circuit found that the Justice Department's internal disciplinary office can't invoke a blanket exemption for "law enforcement" records.

News

Mental Health Records at Issue in St. Joe's Assault Case

Lizzy McLellan | August 07, 2018

Alleged sexual assault victim Jane Roe said a request for her mental health records "smacks of victim blaming."

News

Class Certified in Case Against Phone Provider for NJ Jails and Prisons

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 07, 2018

A suit claiming that the private company contracted to provide phone services at nearly every New Jersey correctional facility charges improperly inflated rates has been granted class action status.

News

Debt Buyers Are Debt Collectors Too, Third Circuit Says

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 07, 2018

Judge Thomas Ambro opened the court's opinion in the spirit of the character Wimpy from the Popeye cartoon: "Many would gladly pay Tuesday for a hamburger today. Of course, not all of those who fall into debt make payments timely, and debt collection has become a professional trade."

News

Pa. Justices to Consider Application of Fair Share Act in Strict Liability Cases

Max Mitchell | August 07, 2018

The justices agreed to consider whether the state Superior Court last year misinterpreted the Fair Share Act by holding that judges should not simply divide the damages equally among all the defendants.

Commentary

'Similarly Situated' Analysis Warrants Summary Judgment

Sid Steinberg| August 07, 2018

The analysis of whether employees are “similarly situated” often determines the success or failure of an employer’s defense to a claim of discrimination. The analysis should extend beyond superficial similarities in order to determine whether an employee can establish that his claim is viable.

People in the News—Aug. 7, 2018—Hill Wallack

Victoria Hudgins | August 07, 2018

Hill Wallack added Joanna R. Dombrowski to its firm.

PLW People in the News—Aug. 7, 2018—Burns White

Victoria Hudgins | August 07, 2018

Burns White partner Mary-Jo Rebelo started her three-year term on the judiciary committee of the Allegheny County Bar Association.

News

Conning US Lawyers Out of $23M Yields 18-Year Prison Sentence

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 06, 2018

A Canadian man accused of stealing some $23 million from more than 100 lawyers, including some in Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 18 years in a federal prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Harrisburg announced Monday.

News

Montgomery McCracken Launches IP Department With Buchanan Attorneys

Lizzy McLellan | August 06, 2018

With its latest lateral move, Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads has also added a practice area and a head of diversity and inclusion efforts.

News

Hospice Counselor, Claiming Mental Health Leave Prompted Firing, Has Case Thrown Out

P.J. D'Annunzio | August 06, 2018

"The plaintiff’s testimony reflects that she never complained to anyone at Celtic about alleged disability discrimination or retaliation, nor did she complain about interference or retaliation," U.S. District Judge Malachy Mannion said.

Commentary

What Has the SEC Been Up To? A Roundup of Recent Regulatory Developments

Katayun I. Jaffari and Mehrnaz (Naz) Jalali| August 06, 2018

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been staying busy recently with final rule-making and proposed regulatory changes. Below is a roundup of some of these recent developments.

News

Villanova Promotes From Within for New General Counsel

Dan Clark | August 06, 2018

It's getting closer to back-to-school time both for Villanova's students and its newly minted GC, E. Michael Zubey.

News

White House Policy Aide Is Cozen O'Connor's Latest Lobbying Hire

Ryan Lovelace | August 06, 2018

As Cozen O'Connor Pubic Strategies continues to grow, Alexandra Campau is completing a D.C. rite of passage: a full revolution through Washington's revolving door.

Construction Law

The Legal Intelligencer| August 06, 2018

In the Legal's Construction Law supplement, read about changes to the American Institute of Architects’ standard forms, the GDPR and how it will affect construction companies and CASPA changes.