Lanham Act Update: Trademark Modernization Act
As of December 18, 2021, the Trademark Modernization Act (the “TMA”) took effect after having become law in December of 2020. The Lanham Act protects registered marks by clearing away…
Legal Insights
A Shot in the Arm for Taxing Bodies: Will Nonprofit Hospitals Soon Be Taxable?
Donald Walsh
A recent decision by the Court of Common Pleas in Chester County puts into question the exempt status of nonprofit hospitals in Pennsylvania when it rejected healthcare provider Tower Health’s…
Does a Public School Employee’s Compensation Include Lump Sum Awards?
Michael Brungo
Improper Calculations Can Result in Retirement Pay Expectation Disappointment The Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) is the Commonwealth’s agency that administers the defined benefit plan for public school employees.…
When Does a Student’s Free Speech Become a Threat to School Safety?
Christina Lane
J.S. v. Manheim Township School District Recently, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decided the case of J.S. v. Manheim Township School District that addressed the limitations on a school district’s ability…
Pittsburgh Paid Sick Leave Self Review Guide
Michael Brungo
With the new Pittsburgh paid sick leave ordinances adopted in March 2020 and in Allegheny County in September 2021, businesses should be taking this time to review their paid time…
John Prorok Selected by Peers for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America©
Alfred Maiello
28th edition of The Best Lawyers in America© recognizes Prorok for his professional excellence in Real Estate Law FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Pittsburgh, PA (November 2021): Maiello Brungo and Maiello (MBM),…
MBM Alert: Mask Mandate for Pennsylvania Schools Reinstated
Christina Lane
This afternoon, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health reimposed a masking mandate on all Pennsylvania school entities. The Secretary of Health has the authority to issue this mandate pursuant to various…
PA Acts 57 and 59: What Municipal Police Departments Need to Know
Falco Muscante
In the summer of 2020, the Pennsylvania legislature adopted two laws that impact police training and conduct, Act 57 and Act 59. Both were signed into law on July 14,…
PA Act 65 of 2021 Creates New Agenda Requirements for Governmental Entities
Steven Engel
On June 30, 2021, Governor Wolf enacted Act 65 of 2021 creating new requirements for governmental entities to provide notice of certain meeting agenda items to the general public. Act…
Court Upholds Employee’s Termination for Violating Employer’s Social Media Policy
John Prorok
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently decided the case of Ellis v. Bank of New York Mellon Corp., a case involving claims of racial discrimination…
PRIETO V. SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA (INTEMPERANCE – TEACHER GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL)
Christina Lane
In a recent decision regarding a termination case brought by a former professional employee, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education issued an Opinion upholding the dismissal of the professional employee, Hugo…
Pandemic Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) Denials:
Christina Lane
Special Education Case Comparisons Parents, students, teachers, and school communities have struggled to provide appropriate instruction during the pandemic. Challenges have arisen with the use of technology, providing content for…
What is in The New Bankruptcy Code or Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021?
John Prorok
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (the “Act”) was signed into law on December 27, 2020, to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For any business which has…
Autism Discrimination May Give Rise to Claims for Compensatory Monetary Damages
Christina Lane
On March 5, 2020, a 17-year-old minor and student of Erie School District was ejected from school property without having secured a means of transportation home. In the case of…
What Landlords Need to Know About ADA Service Animals?
Lawrence Maiello
It is standard practice for landlords and housing providers to establish rules regarding tenants’ ability to have animals on their property. However, what happens when a potential tenant has a…