News from January 2022
ALI's Consumer Contracts Restatement may come up for approval vote this year, despite increasing concerns
PHILADELPHIA – At a virtual meeting this week, the Philadelphia-based American Law Institute is scheduled to continue work on a Restatement meant to give legal clarity to consumer contracts – a project yielding “significant concerns,” according to a member of the legal scholarship organization, especially since it may come up for a final vote at the group’s annual meeting this spring.
Litigation over Frank Rizzo statue removal in Philadelphia returns to state court
PHILADELPHIA – Litigation brought by supporters of a monument to controversial former Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo, which argued the City of Philadelphia violated its Home Rule Charter and the due process rights of the plaintiffs when it removed the statue in 2020, will now be heard in state court.
Cabot couple say energy company trespassed on their property to construct natural gas pipeline
PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania couple allege that an energy company illegally encroached on their property to construct a natural gas pipeline, committing negligence, trespass and other offenses.
Now that parents who lost 29-week-old fetus know defendant's employer, they seek to amend their case accordingly
MEDIA – Parents who lost their baby in utero while the mother was 29 weeks pregnant and claimed that Crozer medical entities did not ensure the health of the fetus, now seek to amend their complaint upon learning the name of one of the defendant’s employers.
Whitehall Borough store owner drops case on alleged discriminatory policy governing skill games
PITTSBURGH – A Whitehall Borough store owner who claimed that local policy towards skill machines and mechanical device licenses was being selectively enforced against him in violation of state and federal law, has dismissed his case.
McDonald's motion met with resistance from girl who alleged sexual harassment during job interview
PHILADELPHIA – A teenager who alleged that one of its managers showed her sexually graphic photos on his phone during her job interview is opposing an attempt by McDonald’s to secure a summary judgment ruling and dismiss her claims.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG): What You Need to Know on January 20, 2022
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG): What You Need to Know on January 20, 2022.
Lawsuit: Woman dies after being struck by falling tree limb on Allegheny County hiking trial
PITTSBURGH — The estate of a woman who was killed by a falling tree limb while on a hiking trail in the Township of Upper St. Clair is claiming wrongful death. William G.
Woman files civil rights lawsuit after Philadelphia police serve warrant to wrong address
PHILADELPHIA — A woman alleges City of Philadelphia police officers had the wrong address when they entered her home with a search warrant.Florence Fourcade filed a complaint Dec. 23 in the U.S.
Julie Colton Appointed Co-chair of the Domestic Violence Taskforce of the AAML
Julie Colton Appointed Co-chair of the Domestic Violence Taskforce of the AAML.
Retention and Recruitment During the Great Resignation on January 18, 2022
Retention and Recruitment During the Great Resignation on January 18, 2022.
Cozen O’Connor Renames Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship After Late Shareholder Bernard Lee
Cozen O’Connor Renames Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship After Late Shareholder Bernard Lee.
Niki T. Ingram Named Vice President of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation
Niki T. Ingram Named Vice President of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.
Third Circuit reinstates lawsuit against Millersville University over coed murdered on campus by boyfriend
PHILADELPHIA – A federal appellate court has ruled that Millersville University will face a wrongful death lawsuit from the parents of a student murdered on campus by her boyfriend in February 2015.
Contractor who allegedly lost $1M from inadequate legal representation in bankruptcy case, now sues former counsel
PITTSBURGH – A Pennsylvania contractor who says it lost over $1 million in an underlying bankruptcy lawsuit is now pursuing legal action against the lawyer it claims provided inadequate representation.
Private school says it didn't look other way on student's bullying; he claims it led him to eating disorder and PTSD
PITTSBURGH – A Christian private school denies allegations that it discriminated against a 16 year-old student on the basis of his race and ethnicity, through its alleged failure to prevent bullying he experienced, which later led him to develop an eating disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Reading Recreation Commission trying for second time to dismiss suit over ex-employee's sexual abuse of young girl
ALLENTOWN – For a second time, the Reading Recreation Commission seeks to end litigation that one of its former employees committed repeated acts of sexual abuse against a then-11-year-old girl, and that it both failed to stop the abuse from happening and violated the plaintiff’s constitutional rights in the process.
Ambridge Area School District rejects allegations it violated football player's civil rights over Snapchat message
PITTSBURGH – Ambridge Area School District discounts claims that it violated the civil rights of a 14-year-old African-American and special needs student at Ambridge High School, who claims he was kicked off the football team for participating in an angry exchange with a teammate who had bullied him on Snapchat.
FedEx injury suit which garnered attention of Pa. trial lawyers is heading to trial in June
PHILADELPHIA – A slip-and-fall injury suit against Federal Express which has attracted the attention of a leading organization for trial lawyers in Pennsylvania, is headed for trial this June.
Superior Court reverses ruling that kept lawyer from suing former client
HARRISBURG – The Superior Court of Pennsylvania has reversed and remanded a motion calling for the disqualification of a Scranton law firm, in representing a plaintiff in an underlying personal injury action in a Lackawanna County court.