Posts written by buteralaw

Watch Out For Limited Tort Option

Several years ago the Pennsylvania Legislature amended the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law to provide drivers with the choice of full or limited tort options in their automobile insurance coverage. Things haven’t been quite the same since.Full tort coverage is pretty much what we… Continue reading

The Queen’s English – Should There Be A Their There?

We hear it all the time (a teacher to his class): “Everyone should take their gloves with them because it is cold.” The rule is simple and easy to understand; application, however is another kettle of fish! Every pronoun makes reference to an express or… Continue reading

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