Shields & Smillie Win Another Trial for Client
After a 7-day jury trial in Federal Court in Allentown, Maraleen Shields and Doug Smillie obtained a $1.057 million verdict for their client, Arnold’s Office Furniture. The case involved claims against a former employee for breach of duty of loyalty, misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of a non-solicitation agreement. During the pandemic, Arnold’s used […]
FLB Attorneys Named to 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C. is pleased to announce that six attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2021 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. In addition, three attorneys were named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers – Rising Stars Edition.
Supreme Court Ends Debate Over Bankruptcy Question
October of 2019, the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued a decision addressing an often-asked question in bankruptcy: whether it is a violation of the automatic stay to retain a vehicle that was repossessed pre-bankruptcy?
FLB Secures Another Win for the City of Allentown
Douglas J. Smillie and Maraleen D. Shields secured another win for the City of Allentown. Nearly three years after an eminent domain action was filed, the Commonwealth Court agreed with the original arguments the duo advanced on behalf of the City and dismissed the appeal by Somera Road – 835 West Hamilton Street, LLC. The Court […]
Another FLB Win for Client as Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules in School Bus Video Case
In February 2017, an incident involving a student and a teacher occurred on a school bus in the Easton Area School District. Interest in the incident sparked the Express-Times and lehighvalleylive.com to request a copy of a video that captured the incident under Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law (RTK Law). The school district objected to […]
Pennsylvania’s Judicial Emergency to Cease as of June 1
On May 21, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued an Order declaring that the previously established judicial emergency in Pennsylvania will cease after June 1, 2020. However, the Court also ordered that previously entered judicial orders in the intermediate appellate courts and local courts shall remain in full force and effect until they expire by […]
PA Governor Signs Order Providing Protections Against Foreclosures & Evictions
On May 7, 2020, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order to create and extend protections to property owners and tenants throughout the Commonwealth from the latent economic impacts of the state-wide lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the executive order builds on a Pennsylvania Supreme Court order that closed court eviction […]
Update on PA Courts & Closures
On Tuesday April 28, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court updated its previous Orders, directing that the previously declared judicial emergency is extended through June 1, 2020. However, the Court also ordered that, beginning on May 4, 2020, the Courts shall be open to conduct business. At the same time, the Order directs that in-person access […]
Construction Sites to Reopen on May 1 – Guidance for the Construction Industry
Under new guidelines issued by the Wolf Administration in Pennsylvania, construction projects can reopen this Friday, May 1, 2020, as long as they observe social distancing rules. Previously, the Governor had ordered most construction projects to temporarily close down unless they were supporting life-sustaining businesses or were granted an exemption from the general “stay at […]
COVID-19: Guidance for the Construction Industry
The effects of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic are being felt throughout the economy. No matter what trade you may be in, every small business faces some similarities in this crisis. You may have questions about the Paycheck Protection Program and Small Business Administration loans. And of course, every small business runs on cash flow, and […]