Law articles and updates by the attorneys of Gawthrop Greenwood.
Clean Slate Bill and What It Means for Criminal Charges in Chester County
By Lauren Dentone — Chester County is now implementing the “Clean Slate” Bill, which was signed by Pennsylvania Governor Wolf on June 28, 2018. The purpose behind Clean Slate is to remove the barriers to housing and employment for those who are marginalized by a record of a past minor criminal…
Maritime Alert: Supreme Court Denies Right to Punitive Damages for Unseaworthiness Actions
By Kari Springer — In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court held that punitive damages remain unavailable in unseaworthiness actions and reversed the Ninth Circuit. The Court rejected Christopher Batterton’s claim for punitive damages against Dutra Group for his injuries when a vessel hatch blew open and injured his hand. In…
Medical Marijuana from the Ground Up with Attorney Stephen J. Olsen
As one of the few Pennsylvania attorneys in private practice with a wide breadth of experience supporting the legal needs of medical marijuana operators, Gawthrop Greenwood partner Stephen J. Olsen shared his distinctive insights in a recent presentation before the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges. Olsen is a partner…
7 Tax Changes You Need to Know About Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
By Kari Springer -- This is the first filing season under the new tax law put forth by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. And there’s plenty of confusion to go around. Nearly 1 in 2 participants in a NerdWallet survey don’t understand how the changes affect their tax bracket.…
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 whether you’re shopping for drones this holiday season or embarking…
Criminal Defense Alert: Legislation Calls for Stronger DUI-Related Penalties
By Lauren Dentone — Senate Bill 961, currently pending approval, proposes to make third and subsequent, highest-tier Driving Under the Influence charges, a felony of the third degree in Pennsylvania. Currently, the maximum penalty in Pennsylvania for a Driving Under the Influence charge is a misdemeanor of the first degree. “(4.1)…
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 on finding a better way, the publication turned to Gawthrop…
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 agricultural applications. High tunnels are generally a structure that is covered…
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 head. Now under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,…
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 this digital currency is getting so much attention in the…