Monthly Archives: July 2006
The Queen’s English — A Detour
I have been writing these columns for a couple of years — and enjoying every moment of it. Even more do I appreciate the response I have received from so many people. Perhaps at this point we could make this interactive by your suggesting a… Continue reading
Mandatory Arbitration Agreements When Hiring New Employees
Many employers have been frustrated by the expense and risk involved in claims brought by employees for violation of their civil rights, age discrimination, race discrimination, sex discrimination, etc. There is a perception that jury awards for minimal (or nonexistent) violations have been excessive. Costs… Continue reading
Co-Ownership of Property
For most of us, buying a home is usually the most significant purchase we will ever make. For that reason, understanding how the property should be titled is certainly important. There are several different types of joint estates or co-ownership of property, including joint tenancy,… Continue reading
Tax Relief Act of 2001
On May 26, 2001, legislation was passed by the House and Senate promising to cut taxes by $1.35 trillion over a ten-year period. No Republicans opposed the bill in the House. Senator McCain (Arizona) and Senator Chafee (Rhode Island) were the only two Senate Republicans… Continue reading
Overview of Agency Adoption
Over the last several years, I have had the privilege of working with couples in the process of adopting children and with others simply needing information about adoptions in Pennsylvania. There are different approaches to adoption in Pennsylvania: kinship, private, and agency. Kinship adoption is… Continue reading
A Parting. A Thank You!
Cynthia Dixon has been a part of the firm family since 1991, and in that time we have come to appreciate her wonderfully balanced assessment of legal issues and even more so her cheerful countenances, always ready to lend a hand. On June 15th Cynthia… Continue reading
Latin Lovers 2001
Article I, Section 10 of our Constitution declares that “no…ex post facto law shall be passed.” Literally, the phrase means “after the fact”; the doctrine prohibiting the passage of ex post facto laws generally applies to criminal laws which, after an act has been committed,… Continue reading
Real Estate Closings
We sometimes receive calls from clients asking whether they should have legal representation at a “routine” real estate closing. Our answer is almost always yes. Why? Would you drive your car without liability insurance? Would you allow your homeowners’ coverage to lapse? Obviously you would… Continue reading
Marty Eckard Retires
Marty Eckard Retires Although she had let us know several months ago that she was giving serious thought to retirement after being our Controller/Office Manager since 1978, when Marty Eckard made it official in May, we all experienced a time of sadness. Given her energy… Continue reading
Other Changes . . .
Karen Peterson, Kevin’s former secretary, takes over for Marty Eckard — big shoes to fill, but Karen is no doubt up to the task. Wish her well. Kay Washkalavitch moves over to cover Kevin’s secretarial needs. Kay is a “pro” with many years of valuable… Continue reading