by Jacob M. Sitman and Kendra L. Eden In recent years, employers have increasingly used mandatory arbitration agreements as a tool to manage the risk of various types of employment claims. Claims subject to those agreements are diverted to arbitration, rather than the courts, for resolution. Earlier this month, however, Congress passed a bill dubbed […]
The season of love, hearts, roses, and chocolate treats is upon us, again. And, again, we take this opportunity to remind employers of the need to consider and address the risks associated with “office romance”. Regardless of where employees work, and whether employees are work-at-home or actually in the office, the combination of workplace hierarchies […]
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court threw a monkey wrench in President Biden’s six-pronged, comprehensive national strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by ordering a stay of enforcement of the recently enacted COVID-19 vaccine-or-test mandate issued as an emergency temporary standard by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The mandate covered virtually all employers with […]
As part of President Biden’s six-pronged, comprehensive national strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, he has announced the first ever federal vaccine mandate to apply to private employers. In the coming weeks, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is likely to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard that would require all private […]
Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court recently ruled that contracts between businesses agreeing not to hire each other’s employees are not enforceable. Pennsylvania’s highest court, speaking on this legal issue for the first time, held that even where one company expressly agreed in writing not to hire employees of the other in what are often called “no-poach” or […]
On July 21, 2021, in the case of In Re: Amazon.com, Inc., the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled that employees must be paid for the time spent waiting to undergo and undergoing mandatory workplace security screenings under the state’s Minimum Wage Act (PMWA). This decision may have far reaching implications for employers and their bottom […]
Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C. is pleased to announce that Stephanie A. Kobal was recently elected to the Cedar Crest College Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2021. Ms. Kobal is an attorney and shareholder in the Firm’s Real Estate, Land Use & Development and Employment and Labor Law groups. “We are so excited that […]
Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C. has again been selected as one of The Morning Call’s “Top Workplaces”. This was the eighth consecutive year the Firm earned a place on the list. In the article published on June 24, the Firm ranked eighth overall in the “Small Employers” category, and the highest-ranking law firm overall. “Following a difficult year, […]
FLB congratulates co-managing shareholder, Joseph A. Bubba, founder & shareholder Joseph A. Fitzpatrick, Jr., and shareholder Stephanie A. Kobal for being named to the “Power 30 in Law” list, which was curated by Lehigh Valley Business’ editorial staff. Joseph A. Bubba is a co-founder of FLB and has been the Firm’s managing shareholder since for […]
Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C. is pleased to announce that six attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2021 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. In addition, three attorneys were named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers – Rising Stars Edition. Historically, less than 5% of the lawyers in the state are selected for the coveted distinction of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. […]
After a 7-day jury trial in Federal Court in Allentown, Maraleen Shields and Doug Smillie obtained a $1.057 million verdict for their client, Arnold’s Office Furniture. The case involved claims against a former employee for breach of duty of loyalty, misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of a non-solicitation agreement. During the pandemic, Arnold’s used […]
Estate planning attorney Sonny Beltrami was recently featured on Cornerstone Unplugged, a podcast hosted by Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management that features conversations with local business leaders aimed at helping mutual clients improve their financial acumen. In the podcast, Sonny recounts his journey to becoming an estate planning attorney and explains how he regularly expands his […]
Shareholder Kate Durso successfully represented Saucon Valley Solar Partners, LLC in its recent bid to build a 14-acre solar farm on property owned by Lehigh University in Bethlehem. The project is expected to help offset up to 90% of the electricity use on Lehigh’s Murray H. Goodman Campus and will be used for teaching and […]