Category: Newsletters

Pennsylvania Mortgage Satisfaction Law

Several years ago we ran an article explaining Pennsylvania’s Mortgage Satisfaction Law, which requires lenders to mark fully paid mortgages “satisfied” on the record within 45 days following full payment by the borrower. The law generally requires that the administrative fee for satisfying the mortgage… Continue reading

Queen’s English — The Verb To Lie (down) and Surrounding Confusion

Of all the abused verbs in English, to lie (as in recline) is near or at the top of the list. It is improper to say “I am going to lay down” or “Yesterday he laid on the hammock.”; and yet it seems that more… Continue reading

It Still May Not Be Too Late

In a softening economy, we often witness an increase in commercial litigation, especially in the area of collections. Clients are sometimes surprised to find, however, that under American law there is no automatic right to also include a claim for your counsel fees expended in… Continue reading

Bruges: A Wonderful Detour

On a recent trip to Europe, as almost an after-thought we decided to visit Bruges, Belgium. It is relatively small and not much is written about it, but what we had heard was exciting: that it is the “Venice of the North”, that it has… Continue reading

The Medical Malpractice Crisis

For months, there has been much written and reported on the medical malpractice crisis in Pennsylvania and across the nation. Doctors in several states have staged temporary work stoppages to protest the high cost of medical malpractice insurance. In Pennsylvania, the Rendell administration has established… Continue reading

LCB Say “Hello” to the 21st Century

Unless you’re living under a rock (or outside of Pennsylvania), you have to be aware that some of the Pennsylvania State Liquor Stores are now open on Sundays (10% of the total). This and several other changes are the result of the adoption of two… Continue reading

Changing A Name

Think about what goes into a name for a child. Some parents search through baby name books and websites, others are guided more by their family history or by the naming customs of their cultures. Yet, despite all of their efforts, parents do not necessarily… Continue reading

Who Are We?

Within the Firm we work in various areas of the law; the effect benefits our clients doubly: the attorney who is assigned the file is familiar with the subject matter and can process a matter more quickly (which means lower fees), and the final product… Continue reading

Queen’s English — Obfuscation = Mystique

Words: Rich, round, buttery, flavor length, texture fatness, attractive, generous, intense, full-fruited, some suppleness, body, silkiness, taste generosity, fresh, clean, slightly buttery, big, chewy, substantial, green, meaty, mouth-filling, long finish, aroma of oatmeal, burly, some funk, integrated, short, flamboyant, with all the stuffing, unvarnished, lingering… Continue reading

Another “Ken” on Board

In December, Ken Butera’s son, also Ken, joined the firm as an associate, after passing last summer’s Bar Examination. The younger Ken earned his BA at the University of Washington in Seattle and his JD at Villanova Law School last June. He is married to… Continue reading