The JustPod: Lawyer, Gentleman, and Counsel to the Stars: A Discussion with Brian McMonagle
Strategies to Manage Costs of Medical Care in a PA Workers’ Compensation Claim
Let's Talk New Child Support Guidelines for 2022
Settlement and Mediation Strategy
Gov. Shapiro Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Pope Francis- Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has ordered U.S. and Commonwealth flags to be flown at half-staff across Pennsylvania in honor of Pope Francis, who passed away...more
Now that Pennsylvania recognizes directed trusts, corporate fiduciaries should be aware that sharing trust responsibilities could create both legal liability and administrative burdens. The law, which went into effect late...more
In Briggs v. Southwestern Energy Production Co. (Briggs II), the Middle District of Pennsylvania directed summary judgment to Southwestern Energy (SWN) and dismissed the plaintiffs' claims of trespass and conversion. The...more
In the recent disciplinary matter of ODC v. Anonymous, 2025 WL 524221 (Pa. Feb. 12, 2025), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court established the standard applicable to attorney disciplinary matters, expressly holding that the...more
Gov. Shapiro Addresses Arson Incident - During a press conference following the opening of the Hershey Corporation’s new manufacturing plant, Governor Josh Shapiro made his first public comments since the arson at the...more
Mayor Parker's Housing Plan Relies on $800M in Bonds- Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative aims to build or preserve 30,000 housing units in Philadelphia, primarily funded through $800...more
On April 11, 2025, a federal judge for the U.S. Western District of Pennsylvania reversed his recent decision to dismiss a disability discrimination claim from a job applicant with a medical marijuana card who alleged he had...more
Gov. Shapiro, State Leaders Condemn Weekend Arson Attack - Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were safely evacuated after a suspected arson attack on their residence early Sunday morning, prompting state and local leaders...more
One of the biggest issues in this country is healthcare. Specifically, the cost and payment for healthcare and directly related to that, health insurance. Under most family situations at least one family member works for an...more
Gov. Shapiro Pledges Support for PA Farmers Amid Tariff Uncertainty -Governor Josh Shapiro warned that new tariffs could harm Pennsylvania farmers and pledged to protect them, highlighting his administration’s investments in...more
Mayor Parker Announces Continued Support for SEPTA Fare Subsidies -Mayor Cherelle Parker announced plans to maintain funding for SEPTA fare subsidy programs that provide City employees and low-income residents with free rides...more
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has declined to sign a certification form issued by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), which asked all state education agencies to affirm compliance with federal...more
On April 8, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) announced the appointment of Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday as the new co-chair of NAAG’s Consumer Protection Committee. The Committee’s mission is...more
The JustPod is a podcast of the American Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section, hosted by Justin Danilewitz and Geonard Butler. This episode features trial lawyer Brian McMonagle. Brian began his career in the...more
PA Senate Passes Bill to Crack Down on Fentanyl Dealers - The state Senate approved a bill imposing a mandatory minimum 25-year sentence on drug dealers whose fentanyl sales result in fatal overdoses. The bill, known as...more
On April 5, 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin notice of a long-awaited proposed rulemaking that would establish new requirements for reporting spills,...more
On July 7, 2024, the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act (“UFLAA”), 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§ 7371-7398, became effective. Prior to its enactment, Pennsylvania only had the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act (“RUAA”), which is...more
Bill Proposed to Tax Political Ads in PA - Pennsylvania Representative Robert Matzie (D-Beaver) proposed a bill to subject all political advertising to state sales tax, aiming to generate revenue for public services and...more
Generally speaking, when a party files a Mechanic’s Lien Claim (“Lien Claim”) in Pennsylvania, the Lien Claim needs to be served on the Respondent by the sheriff of the county where the property owner is registered to do...more
When we wrote in August about the impact of the Supreme Court’s Loper-Bright decision on the various federal district court rulings invalidating the Department of Education’s 2024 Title IX regulations, we reminded readers...more
Medical Marijuana Oversight Bill Advances - The Pennsylvania House advanced a bill earlier this month to address concerns about doctor practices and patient care by increasing oversight of the state’s medical marijuana...more
Effective Oct. 29, 2025, an amendment to the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act (Act), adopted via Pennsylvania Senate Bill 365 (Bill), will change the standard for first responders, including Emergency Medical Services...more
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, applying Pennsylvania law, has held that a letter notifying the insured of the sender’s intent to file a joinder complaint, i.e., a third-party claim,...more
Key Points: No formal liability for payment of work-related medical expenses is triggered on the part of the employer/insurer until such expenses are properly submitted in accordance with the terms and provisions of the...more
Key Points: Effective April 1, 2025, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has amended Pa.R.C.P. 220.3, pertaining to voir dire of jurors....more