Monthly Archives: July 2006
Corporate Signatures
The primary reason most people elect to do business in the corporate form is to obtain limited liability for the activities of the business. Generally speaking, liability for contractual obligations and damage claims is limited to the net asset value of the corporation, thus shielding… Continue reading
Negligent Hiring and Supervision: Do You Know Who Your Employees Are and What They Are Doing?
Pennsylvania courts have in recent cases recognized causes of action against employers for negligent hiring and supervision of employees. These cases emphasize the importance of conducting background checks before hiring — especially for employees having unsupervised one-on-one interaction with the public, patients, and customers and… Continue reading
Negotiating Commercial Leases
One of the more common tasks we perform for clients involves the negotiation and preparation of commercial leases, including leases for office space, retail stores, warehouse space, manufacturing locations, and similar properties. The process involves communication with real estate brokers and direct contact with property… Continue reading
The Queen’s English – Would We Lie to You? (Part II)
It may be the most abused verb of them all: to lie (recline). We hear people order their dogs to “lay down”; or “I am laying on the couch”; or “yesterday, I laid down for a ten minute nap”. All wrong!The dog should lie down,… Continue reading
Year End Tax Planning Tips
As we approach the end of 1998, a few days still remain for taxpayers to make adjustments in their tax picture to reduce the pain experienced on April 15, 1999. For many taxpayers as much as one-third of every dollar goes to pay income taxes.… Continue reading
Steak Wit, por favor?
Steak Wit, por favor? Something is cooking down at 9th and Passyunk in South Philadelphia, and it is not just the cheese steaks. At Geno’s “world famous“ cheese steaks the demand for “Wiz wit” (i.e., cheese wiz and onions) remains high… Continue reading
Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax and New Construction
One of the costs associated with the purchase of a home in Pennsylvania is the imposition of the realty transfer tax. In most cities, townships and boroughs within the Commonwealth, the realty transfer tax is imposed at the rate of 2% of the actual… Continue reading
Jury Duty
The dreaded summons arrives in the mail. You have never been busier at work or home and have been directed to appear at the local county courthouse for jury duty! You are told to fill out a form giving private information, and you shuffle off… Continue reading
Kevin Palmer Addresses PBI Seminars
Kevin Palmer was a featured lecturer last month in separate seminars for attorneys sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, speaking on Pennsylvania real estate law in both Philadelphia and Mechanicsburg. The seminars, entitled “A Family of Laws for the Family Lawyer”, brought together specialized… Continue reading
Dramshop Concept Stretched
A dramshop is a bar. The name has evolved from the Middle Ages in England when drinks were sold by the dram which is one-eighth of an ounce. Under the Liquor Code in Pennsylvania (and similar statutes in most states) it is illegal to serve… Continue reading