Author Archive

Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with constituents. However, the expansion of public discussion through social media encourages an expanded application of the Right-To-Know Law. In an April 2023 case, Penncrest School District v. Cagle, the Commonwealth Court attempted to clarify when a public official’s social media activity would be subject to disclosure. The new test limits the applicability of the Law to social media activity but does not settle the matter, so future litigation will likely clarify the test. The Right-To-Know Law is “designed to promote access to official government information in order to prohibit secrets, scrutinize… read more »

Accidents are the leading cause of death for young adults, and a quarter of a million Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 are hospitalized with non-lethal injuries each year. Can you imagine being unable to help or to make decisions for your child? It could happen if you fail to plan. When your child turns 18, your child transforms into an adult in the eyes of the law. Overnight, you no longer have direct access to personal information or the right to make decisions for your child, who may still depend on you. The laws that once protected your child… read more »

CGA Law Firm is excited to welcome Beth Kern to the CGA Legal Team! Beth is a recent cum laude graduate of Widener University Commonwealth Law School, where she earned several significant awards. She was conferred an Outstanding Service to Law School Award for exemplary service and the John A. Fillion Memorial Award for her excellence in scholarship and professionalism. Specifically she was recognized as being the most likely to significantly contribute to the public and to the profession of labor and employment law.  These awards are evidence of Beth’s determination and work ethic, qualities she learned growing up in… 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 »

CGA Law Firm remains committed to providing exceptional legal services to individuals, businesses and local government. Despite the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to devote the resources necessary to provide the services that you need, while endeavoring to protect the personal safety of our clients, employees and the communities that we serve. CONTACT US – As always, our Legal Team remains available via telephone, email, and teleconferencing during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm. Telephone: 717-848-4900, Email: [email protected]. Many of us are working remotely when possible, but essential staff remain in the office. The firm will… read more »

Article by: Jeffrey L. Rehmeyer II, Esquire There are many big-business practices that don’t necessarily apply to smaller companies. When you are a start-up or small company, you can often cut a lot of red tape without any repercussions. However, the use of non-disclosure agreements (“NDAs”), which are legal contracts of confidentiality, is not a corner to be cut. A strong NDA for your business is simple and not that expensive. The value that you will receive to protect your company and your ideas is arguably worth the potential value of the company itself, or at least the value of… read more »

Article by: Jeffrey L. Rehmeyer II, Esquire Recently, a U.S. District Judge in Florida ruled that a dentist’s before and after photographs of his patient’s teeth didn’t create enough of a “creative spark” to merit protection. The Judge found that the photos were “devoid of creativity or originality” and thus not worthy of copyright protection. The case has elicited strong feelings on both sides of the chair and is now under appeal. Mitchell Pohl, a dentist in Florida, photographed the teeth of his female patient before and after he fixed them. The teeth were crooked and stained at first. After… read more »

Article by: Jeffrey L. Rehmeyer II, Esquire Recently, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that a music video that ordered violence against two specific police officers was not protected Free Speech. Jamal Knox and Rashee Beasley were both arrested for drug and weapons charges. While the charges were pending, they wrote and recorded a rap song entitled, ”F_ _k the Police,” which was put on video with still photos of Knox and Beasley displayed in a montage. In the photos, the two are looking into the camera and motioning as if firing weapons. The video was then uploaded to YouTube by… read more »

Article by: Jeffrey L. Rehmeyer II For decades, regulating student speech has been a challenging matter for school officials. Cases surrounding student speech often became very fact sensitive as the Courts have required in many cases that the speech be proven to be disruptive before it is prohibited. The United States Third Circuit Court recently held that breast cancer awareness bracelets worn by middle school students showing the phrase “I <3 Boobies!” could not be categorically banned because they are “not plainly lewd and because they comment on a social issue.”  In B.H. v. Easton A.S.D., two middle school girls… read more »

Article by: Jeffrey L. Rehmeyer II On July 6, 2010, General Assembly Act 46 of 2010 was signed into law. Act 46 was an Omnibus Bill amending the Pennsylvania Fiscal Code. A portion of the Act is Article XVI-I: The Permit Extension Act. The Act tolls “(t)he expiration date of an approval by government agency that is granted for or in effect during the extension…” The extension began December 31, 2008 and ends July 2, 2016. When the Act was adopted, it was recognized to apply to local approvals of Townships and Boroughs, such as building permits, land development approvals,… read more »