President’s Message: 1st Quarter 2019
Patrick M. McKenna is a partner at Gawthrop Greenwood, PC as well as President of the Chester County Bar Association. His quarterly column, shown below, is featured in the CCBA magazine “New Matter.”
Silver Bells and Privacy Rights: What to Know about Pennsylvania’s New Drone Law This Holiday Season
By John Rafferty — In the last four years, global sales of drones have more than quadrupled. By 2025, drones are expected to sell three times faster than they do now, and 2025 estimates peg the drone industry at $90B. But…
What Happens to My Animals?
“There has to be a better way to do this. If you want to leave money for your animals, you don’t want it all to go to taxes,” long-time horse owner Bonnie Ollie tells equestrian magazine USDF Connection. For insight…
Municipal Alert: Gov. Wolf Signs Law Providing Exemption for High Tunnels
By Anthony T. Verwey — Governor Wolf signed into law Act 15 of 2018, which amends Act 167 known as the Stormwater Management Act. The amendment will require municipalities to modify ordinances based on the addition of an exemption regarding high tunnels used in…
How to Redo Estate Plans, Save on Taxes Under New Tax Reforms
The following article first appeared in the Legal Intelligencer's Wealth Management Supplement, featuring insight from the region's top attorneys on trusts and estate issues. By P. Kristen Bennett — Recent changes to the federal estate tax system have turned traditional estate planning on its…
Litigating Cryptocurrency: Is Bitcoin’s Future Doomed?
The following article can also be found in the Legal Intelligencer and VISTA.Today. By John Rafferty — After the price of Bitcoin hit $10,000 on November 28th and Bitcoin futures launched on December 10th, you might have asked yourself why…
Family Law Alert: New 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Eliminates Tax Deduction for Alimony Payments
By Carl W. Heckert -- The recently passed 2017 Tax Reform makes a significant potential tax increase for both the alimony payor and the recipient for post-2018 divorce or separation agreements. According to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, generally,…
Is My New Hire an Employee or Independent Contractor?
By Carl W. Heckert – The following was first published by VISTA.Today, a daily business journal posting Chester County's top business stories. Gawthrop Greenwood partner Carl W. Heckert is a VISTA.Today author. The benefits of hiring independent contractors are many. Besides providing more…
Hurricanes Irma and Harvey: Department of Homeland Security Extends Waiver of Jones Act
By Sandra L. Knapp - UPDATE – September 14, 2017 – The Department of Homeland Security has extended the seven-day waiver described below to run through Friday, September 22, 2017, and expanded the number of states to which it applies. This includes…
Maritime Law Update for Vessels with Components Fabricated Overseas
The following was first published by The Maritime Executive, the largest business journal in the maritime industry, reaching 127 countries. Gawthrop Greenwood partner Sandy Knapp is a Maritime Executive author. By Sandra L. Knapp - Fast on the heels of…