The impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt throughout the economy, with a collapse of demand in basically every consumer-facing industry, including restaurants, hotels, airlines, gas stations, and non-grocery retail stores. These problems flow through the economic food chain, with storefronts unable to pay landlords, who in turn have trouble paying their lenders. They may […]
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has reported that all courts within the Third United States Judicial Circuit are open and operational, despite a curtailment of certain court functions and the closure of several court facilities. The Third Circuit encompasses Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and the Virgin Islands, and includes the federal district and bankruptcy […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic grows, our daily lives, and business operations, continue to be interrupted in ways that we have not seen in recent memory. Major sport leagues have been suspended, local events postponed, deliveries cancelled, and other contractors have failed to perform their contracts due to the viral outbreak. However, when an event is […]
Following an extensive discovery process and a multi-day arbitration hearing, Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba won dismissal of a wrongful and retaliatory discharge claim by the former controller of our client, a Pennsylvania-based startup company. The former employee claimed that the company fired her in retaliation for objecting to the company’s alleged fraudulent submissions to a […]
Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba (FLB), the Lehigh Valley’s leading law firm, announced today it has completed its relocation to downtown Allentown. The firm moved to a 20,000-square-foot space on the 8th Floor of Two City Center, consolidating its legal and administrative offices under one roof. “We are excited to officially be a part of downtown […]
A familiar circumstance in consumer bankruptcies is that a borrower becomes delinquent on an automobile loan and fails to address the situation – until the automobile is repossessed. The consumer then seeks bankruptcy representation, and then seeks (usually through counsel) the return of the vehicle. Lenders struggle with the facts that the loan is in […]
Co-Managing Shareholder, Joseph A. Bubba is profiled in a special feature of Lehigh Valley Business, discussing why the law firm is in a position to grow in the new decade. The section featured 20 business leaders and asked them to provide insights into the new year (and decade) by answering a single question. Mr. Bubba […]
Maraleen D. Shields, a shareholder in the Firm’s Litigation & Trial Practice and Healthcare groups, was recently published in The Legal Intelligencer. Her article, entitled “Dispelling Myths: Beginning to Address Diversity in Lehigh Valley”, discusses the common misconceptions about diversity, equity, and inclusion practices held in the Lehigh Valley. She describes the potential consequences, including […]
Maraleen D. Shields, shareholder of the Firm’s Healthcare and Litigation & Trial Practice Groups, was recently invited to be a panelist at the Diversity & Inclusion Summit presented by Olympus Corporation of the Americas. Held on September 23, the Diversity & Inclusion Summit focused on informing business leaders of strategies and existing programs to promote inclusion […]
by Juan P. Camacho and Jacob M. Sitman On September 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule concerning overtime pay requirements, something that has not happened since 2004. You can find highlights of the final rule from the DOL here. Under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), covered nonexempt […]
On Monday, January 11, 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration (the SBA) along with the Treasury Department re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for both new and existing borrowers. This article focuses on existing PPP borrowers and outlines the steps to take to apply for a second draw PPP loan. Business principals considering a PPP […]
On December 27, 2020, the Economic Aid Act was signed into law, which is intended to, among other things, continue providing assistance to companies and entrepreneurs whose businesses were adversely affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. A key provision of the Economic Aid Act is an expansion of the already existing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). […]
Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba congratulates Marie K. McConnell, who was elected President of CREW Lehigh Valley’s Board of Directors for the 2021 term. CREW Lehigh Valley is the premier commercial real estate network in northeast Pennsylvania recognized for professionalism, leadership and expertise. Its core purpose is to advance the success of women in commercial real […]