The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has adopted a policy effective January 6, 2018, governing access statewide to appellate and trial court case records.  As society, and the courts, evolve from a paper-based system to a digital, online system, there are increasing concerns about access to private information, such as Social Security numbers, financial records, driver’s license numbers, medical records, etc.

There are two choices available on how best to implement this policy when pleadings/documents are filed. The Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County is requesting the input of all the members of the Bar Association of Lehigh County.  Please review the information below and then access the survey to choose which option you prefer and reply by August 22, 2017.

1) View the Supporting Documentation Here

2) Take the survey here

July 5, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Nick Nanovic Elected President of the Estate Planning Council of Lehigh Valley

Allentown, PA (July 5, 2017) – The law firm of Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A., is pleased to announce that  R. Nicholas Nanovic, a Member of the Firm, has been named President of the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley for 2017-2018.

The Council, founded in 1967, is affiliated with the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, offering continuing education and networking opportunities to assist members in best serving their clients through estate planning strategies and engaged client interaction within a multi-disciplined approach, while adapting to the ever-changing tax, technology, trends, and deliverables applicable to estate planning services.

The President, elected at the Annual Meeting, serves as chief executive officer of the Council for a one-year term.  The Council votes based on representative diversity from each of the member categories, including Attorneys, Accountants, Insurance or Financial Advisors, Trust Officers, and Planned Giving or Development Professionals.

A resident of Allentown, Nanovic focuses his practice on taxation, estate planning and administration, and business law.  His practice is focused in Pennsylvania, although he is also licensed to practice in New Jersey and Florida.  He has extensive experience in drafting estate planning documents including wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, revocable trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs), charitable lead trusts (CLATs and CLUTs), charitable remainder trusts (CRATs and CRUTs), qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs), and irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs).  Nanovic advises clients on asset protection planning through the proper titling of property and establishment of limited partnerships and limited liability companies (LLCs).  He handles all aspects of estate administration including probate, obtaining an inventory of the assets, management of estate assets, distributions to beneficiaries, protection of executor when making decisions on handling estate debts and assets, preparation of estate fiduciary income tax returns, and preparation of the Pennsylvania inheritance tax return.

Nanovic’s tax practice is focused on personal income taxes, business taxes, and gift and estate taxes.  He also helps individuals and businesses negotiate their tax liabilities with the IRS and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.  He also assists in the formation of business entities including corporations, S corporations, LLCs, and partnerships; advises clients on how to properly structure the governing documents; and interprets pre-existing governing documents to help clients understand their rights and obligations for their roles in the business.

Nanovic has been recognized in Philadelphia Magazine as a Rising Star, a distinction for lawyers aged 40 and under or who have been practicing for less than 10 years, reserved for no more than 2.5% of all attorneys in Pennsylvania.  He is currently a board member and Immediate Past Vice President of the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley.  He is President of the Notre Dame Club of Lehigh Valley.  While in law school, he interned for the Small Business/ Self-Employed division of the Internal Revenue Service in the Miami, Florida, office and was actively involved with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, serving as one of the project’s leaders for two years.  Nanovic earned his LL.M. in Taxation in 2008 and his J.D. in 2007 from the University of Miami School of Law.  He earned his B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame in 2004.

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Please visit online at www.nmmlaw.com for more information.

Nancy Conrad Appointed to Hearing Committee for the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

June 9, 2017

Nancy Conrad, Partner and Chair of the Labor and Employment and Education Groups, has been appointed as a Hearing Committee Member serving the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in Disciplinary District II. Her three-year term begins on July 1, 2017.

In her role on the Hearing Committee, Nancy will hear and review files concerning attorneys located within District II. The goals of the Disciplinary Board are to protect the public, maintain the integrity of the legal profession and to safeguard the reputation of the courts. Under the Disciplinary Board, each of the four districts in Pennsylvania has a Hearing Committee composed of a three-member panel.

Nancy has more than 20 years of experience representing businesses, educational institutions and non-profit organizations in all aspects of workplace disputes. She defends all types of employment actions, including the defense of federal and state discrimination claims, wrongful discharge claims, whistleblower claims, employment contract matters and restrictive covenant cases. Nancy has particular experience representing colleges, universities and schools in matters related to faculty, staff and students. Beyond litigation, Nancy counsels employers in all aspects of workplace issues.

Nancy Conrad
3701 Corporate Parkway, Suite 300 | Center Valley, PA 18034-8233
Direct 610.782.4909 | Fax 610.782.4935
conradn@whiteandwilliams.com | whiteandwilliams.com

Million Dollar Advocates Forum and must have acted as principal counsel in at least one case which has resulted in a multi-million dollar verdict, award or settlement. Mr. Stevens has been approved for membership in both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Timothy T. Stevens is a graduate of Villanova University School of Law. He manages the firm’s civil litigation practice with a focus on complex commercial litigation, personal injury, employment and healthcare law, fiduciary and Orphans’ Court litigation.

For further information regarding membership and qualifications, see www.MillionDollarAdvocates.com. The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum was established in 2007. There are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum (established 1993) who may have had multi-million dollar cases but who have not applied for membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum although they may be qualified. Membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum is not intended to imply that a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum may not have had multi-million dollar cases.

MILLION DOLLAR ADVOCATES FORUM, LLC

P.O. BOX 2684 DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA 92014 TEL 858.792.6100

WWW.MILLIONDOLLARADVOCATES.COM

Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A.
515 West Hamilton Street, Suite 502
Allentown, PA 18101
Contact: Cady J. Darago
Marketing Manager
(610) 391-1800 x 3216
cdarago@nmmlaw.com

April 24, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Easterly to Present Employment Law for Non-Employment Attorneys

Allentown, PA (April 24, 2017) – Edward J. Easterly, a Member of Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A., will present a CLE program, “Employment Law for Non-Employment Attorneys,” on Wednesday, May 3, for The Bar Association of Lehigh County.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse.  In this seminar, attendees will learn the basics of employment law so they can provide basic guidance to clients on employment law-related topics.  It will tackle the basic elements of the employment relationship, including the concept of employment at-will, employment discrimination, and common legal issues in the hiring process.  Also discussed will be wage and hour issues, including classifying employees as exempt or non-exempt from overtime payments, and common wage and hour mistakes.  The handling of discrimination claims and proper documentation will be covered, as well.   The program will also touch on other key areas of employment law, such as non-competes, unemployment compensation, and reasonable accommodations.

Easterly practices before federal and state courts and labor and employment agencies, representing clients in matters related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act, and  Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.  He assists clients, including universities, private businesses, municipalities, utilities, manufacturers, and non-profit organizations, with their employment matters.

Easterly advises clients regarding enforceability of employment agreements, wage and hour matters, discrimination policies, and covenants not to compete.  He drafts and revises employee handbooks/manuals, as well as employment and separation agreements.  Along with his fellow members of the Labor & Employment Group, he presents training programs to clients about many of these same issues, as well as harassment and social media in the workplace.

Easterly’s labor law practice focuses on representing management.  He has handled numerous unfair labor practice charges, unit clarification hearings, and grievance arbitrations for matters such as wage discipline and termination.  He counsels employers in union avoidance and has helped his clients successfully defeat union representation elections.  Easterly also assists public and private employers in negotiations during collective bargaining.  He has also represented a number of clients in interest arbitrations during the collective bargaining process.  Additionally, Easterly advises his clients in all aspects of strikes, lockouts, and mass picketing.  In addition to his private-sector clients, he represents municipalities with respect to their labor unions.

Easterly authors articles for local and national publications, as well as law alerts on new labor and employment law matters, and presents programs on these subjects to audiences including the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Easterly is a member of the Muhlenberg Board of Associates and is on the Executive Board of the Minsi Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America.  He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Villanova University School of Law in 2006 and his B.A. from Muhlenberg College in 2003.

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Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A., is a full service, mid-sized business law firm with 130 attorneys in three offices in Bridgewater, NJ; New York, NY; and Allentown, PA. For more information, including a full practice area listing and attorney biographies, please visit www.nmmlaw.com.

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 Bench Bar 2017: BALTIMORE INNER HARBOR

September 22-24^th 

Baltimore Inner Harbor

Royal Sonesta Harbor Court

550 Light Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

Book your rooms now for our Annual Bench Bar Conference. The Bench Bar Committee is hard at work designing Baltimore related CLE’s and great Social Events to include receptions, a Pub Crawl and an Orioles Baseball Game.

You can take advantage of our special room pricing 3 days before and 3 days after the conference if you want to extend your stay.

Contact the Royal Sonesta to Book your room:

Single and Double Rate $189

Triple Rate $209

Quad Rate $229

(Taxes and Service Charges not yet applied)

Call the hotel directly: Ms. Sheila Carey, In-House Reservationist, 1-410-347-9735 and use Group Code 1007LKLKKL)

Advertise your business in the 2017 BALC Directory

2017 Lawyer Referral Service

If you are interested in LRS participation, please return the Application along with the appropriate fee as noted below.   All checks should be made payable to: LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE.

 2017 LRS Application

The registration fee for BALC MEMBERS is $75.00 per year; this includes membership on two (2) referral panels and subpanels. Each panel is bolded and you may choose as many subpanels as you like, covered under the panel price. You may elect to participate in more than two panels at an additional cost of $30 each.

1 PANEL:                              $75.00                   4 PANELS:                            $135.00

2 PANELS:                           $75.00                   5 PANELS:                            $165.00

3 PANELS:                            $105.00                 6 PANELS:                            $195.00

Modest Means Program and Application

Thank you for your interest in the Lawyer Referral Service. In addition to LRS, please consider volunteering to serve those less fortunate members of our community with your expertise by also enrolling in the MMP portion of the Referral Service.

North Penn Legal Services was established to assist the area’s low income families in legal matters. In order to provide relief to the families who do not qualify for their services, The Bar Association of Lehigh County implemented the Modest Means Program (MMP) a few years ago, which aids those families in a slightly higher financial bracket of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

We need your help to ensure that those who need access to justice get access to justice! By utilizing this program, our goal is to pay back our community with the highly specialized services only attorneys can render. Many citizens are in need of legal assistance and do not have the means necessary to hire an attorney. By volunteering to serve those less fortunate members of our community with your expertise, the Modest Means Program will help those citizens in achieving their legal goals.

Our program offers client services at reduced rates provided by our attorneys. The initial consultation fee is still  collected, as with all Lawyer Referral clients. However, any services rendered beyond the initial consultation, are at a reduced rate. The clients are screened by the LRS staff to determine eligibility. The client will also be instructed to sign a waiver stating their financial information is deemed true and accurate, however if the attorney determines otherwise, they will be charged regular attorney fees.

The cost for attorney members to enroll in the MMP program is $50 for the year.

Download the MMP application here.