Jacob M. Sitman, Chair of FLB’s Employment and Labor Relations Department, successfully defended our client, a construction-industry company, in a federal employment discrimination, hostile work environment and retaliation case filed against the company by its former employee. The company’s former welder alleged that he was harassed and unlawfully terminated after he disclosed that he suffered […]
Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C. is pleased to announce that six attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2022 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 […]
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, […]
So you want to start a nonprofit? Many people are inspired to start a charity – whether in honor of a loved one, to benefit an underserved part of the community, or to run parallel to a for-profit business already in place. Whatever your “why,” it’s important to comply with all legal obligations and operate […]
Kate Durso, a shareholder in the Firm’s Real Estate, Land Use & Development Group, moderated a Launchbox Ladies panel discussion entitled, “Kick Start Your Business with Accounting, Legal and Financial Footing,” on January 31, 2023, at Penn State Lehigh Valley. The event was organized by LaunchBox Ladies, an educational speaker series and networking event designed […]
If you own property in Pennsylvania, in places such as Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, you likely pay stormwater fees or “rain taxes” to your local municipality. These fees are charged to property owners in order to finance the costs of local stormwater programs. Generally, the amount of a stormwater fee is determined based on the […]