Archive for the ‘Litigation or Alternative Dispute Resolution’ Category

The CDC has issued an Order preventing evictions in certain cases which went into effect on September 4, 2020.  In order to obtain protection under the Order, Tenants must provide a declaration to the landlord or property owner, under penalty of perjury.   Tenants must swear that they have tried to obtain government assistance, must fall within income restrictions set forth in the Order, and must be unable to pay rent due to loss of job or income or due to medical bills.  Tenants must also be making timely payments as close to regular rent as possible and show that eviction… read more »

CGA Law Firm voted Best Law Firm in York County 2020 All of us at CGA Law Firm sincerely appreciate the residents of York County voting us “Best Law Firm” for 2020. The confidence you demonstrate each year with your overwhelming votes continues to warm our hearts and inspire us to do our very best. Our team of approximately 70 professionals offers depth of experience, passion and skill. Although CGA is based in York, the Firm serves clients throughout South Central PA, often as a more convenient and cost effectivealternative to “big city” firms. When you hire a CGA attorney, you… read more »

COVID-19 UPDATE: Pennsylvania Court Closures as of April 8, 2020 The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has declared a statewide judicial emergency which has resulted in courts closing to the public.  Many hearings have been cancelled or transferred to remote technology although some will still occur.  Delinquency cases, dependency cases and some criminal cases are still proceeding at this time.  However, civil cases have largely been put on hold.   This article deals primarily with civil cases and is not geared towards family law or criminal matters.  Family law, Orphans Court, and criminal matters may be proceeding as planned Unless your attorney has informed you otherwise.  On… read more »

COVID-19 Update: Landlord Tenant Issues The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has recognized that this can be a difficult time for both tenants and landlords.  Many people have heard that the court put a hold on evictions during this crisis but there is additional information for landlords and tenants to know.  As of March 16, 2020, all MDJ hearings involving active landlord tenant cases were postponed for at least 30 days.  Any newly filed matters involving landlord tenant issues will be scheduled for a time at least 75 days away.  These times are constantly subject to change and they could be extended by the courts. … read more »

You are upset and about to file a lawsuit against the person or entity with which you have a problem.  You want them to pay for your attorneys’ fees because it’s all their fault that you’re in this predicament. You are upset because a person or entity just filed a lawsuit against you or your company. This is ridiculous and you want them to pay for your attorneys’ fees because it’s all their fault that you have to defend this suit. Who Pays?  Litigation is often expensive and time consuming whether you’re a plaintiff or a defendant.  I am often… read more »

On August 30, 3019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit handed CGA client George Matheis a significant victory in a case where he had been unlawfully barred from a plasma donation facility based on his use of a service dog. Mr. Matheis is represented by CGA attorney Zachary E. Nahass. While the anti-discrimination provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) explicitly apply to businesses such as laundromats, dry-cleaners, banks, barbershops, beauty shops, travel services, shoe repair services, funeral parlors, gas stations, offices of accountants, lawyers and other professionals, pharmacies, insurance offices, health care facilities, hospitals,… read more »

Liliana Fisher is a graduate of the Dickinson School of Law at Penn State and received her undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University. Liliana is the only native Spanish speaking attorney in the York County Bar Association. She has managed numerous cases dealing with many diverse aspects of the law including DUIs, white-collar crime, drug-related charges, cases involving domestic violence, and other forms of misdemeanor and felonies. At CGA, she will be handling litigation, real estate, and employment law. Renée Franchi is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Law School and earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Boston… read more »

Attorney Zachary Nahass represented a retired police officer who had been the victim of unlawful discrimination when a plasma donation facility prevented him from donating due to his use of a service dog. Zach secured a favorable decision in federal court from the United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals by persuading it that a plasma donation facility is subject to the regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Third Circuit both affirmed and reversed in part the earlier decision of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which had granted summary judgment in favor of the… read more »

Article by: Hunter Schenck, Esquire Finding out that you have been sued can be scary, daunting, overwhelming, and confusing. Court papers often contain “legalese” which can leave you wondering what to do. This article addresses some litigation basics that will help you know when to contact our office and what to do at the beginning of litigation whether you are an individual or part of a company. If you have just been served you have some time to figure out what to do. Take a breath and read the papers that you’ve received. They should give you an idea of… read more »

Article by: Hunter B. Schenck Video Surveillance can provide municipalities with security and peace of mind. However, such technology can also create new issues and concerns. Recordings of surveillance footage are subject to the Right-to-Know Law, and municipalities must address requests for video footage. Some video systems might record over previous footage in order to save space. If so, the municipality might need to reference its document retention policy. Municipalities must make sure to preserve any footage while a request is pending if the footage existed at the time of the initial request. If the footage does exist, the municipality… read more »