A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT DISTRIBUTED WITH THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER AND THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

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1 LEGAL LEADERS P R E S E N T S PH I L A D E LP HI A S TOP RATED LAWYERS OF 2014 MARINA KATS KATS, JAMISON & ASSOCIATES SUCCESSFUL PERSONAL ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CLIENTS IN PERSONAL INJURY, FAMILY LAW AND CRIMINAL CASES ALSO INSIDE A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT DISTRIBUTED WITH THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER AND THE WALL STREET JOURNAL JUSTICES RULE FORFEITURE CASES SHOULD FOLLOW CIVIL RULES PAGE 8 EMPLOYERS CANNOT RETALIATE AGAINST WHISTLEBLOWING ACTIONS PAGE 9 PUBLISHER OF LAWYERS, NOT CLIENTS, MUST PAY COURT REPORTING COSTS PAGE 14

2 ALM LEGAL GROUP ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES SHANTELEE CHRISTIE LAURA GUNAWAN MAXWELL HIRSCH ULEI KOU BRIDGET MCDONALD MARCY PALACIOS GEORGE SCHWIMMER SR. CONTENT MANAGER JUSTIN SMULISON ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR SAMMY ELFATRANY GRAPHIC DESIGNER ASHLEE REDD PROFILES WRITER SEAN STONEFIELD COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY SCOTT HEWITT BUSINESS MANAGER COLLEEN HANSON GROUP PUBLISHER SCOTT PIERCE Welcome to Philadelphia s Top Rated Lawyers of 2014, a publication featuring legal talent from the greater metropolitan area. The attorneys featured here and in the accompanying online edition have all achieved the peer reviewed rating of AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the company that has long set the standard for lawyer ratings. The AV Preeminent rating is a significant accomplishment and demonstrates that a lawyer s peers have ranked him or her at the highest level of professional excellence. Our online edition of Philadelphia s Top Rated Lawyers, accessible at at.law.com/philadelphiatoprated, includes the complete directory of all of the Philadelphia area s AV Peeminent rated attorneys, listed by their practice areas HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE: MARINA KATS KATS, JAMISON & ASSOCIATES Successful Injury, Family and Criminal Representation LEGAL LEADERS INDEX A comprehensive list of Philadelphia s Top Rated Lawyers of 2014 EMPLOYERS CANNOT RETALIATE FOR WHISTLEBLOWING ACTIONS To order reprints of Philadelphia s Top Rated Lawyers of 2014, please contact or REPRINTS@ALM.COM In addition to insightful profiles of many Top Rated attorneys, this publication features articles covering trends in the law, and is a valuable resource for finding top legal talent and making more informed decisions. Publishers do not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate. ALM Media, LLC (or either party s affiliates, employees, officers, directors or agents) does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. This magazine includes paid attorney advertising. Consumers should contact the state bar for verification and additional information prior to securing the legal services of any attorney. Sincerely, SCOTT PIERCE GROUP PUBLISHER LEGALLEADERS@ALM.COM FROM THE PAGES OF LAWYERS, NOT CLIENTS, MUST PAY COURT REPORTING COSTS PRACTICE AREA INDEX An index of featured firms categorized by practice area

3 KATS, JAMISON & ASSOCIATES PERSONAL INJURY, CRIMINAL, DIVORCE MARINA KATS RECEIVED THE HONOR OF BEING SELECTED AS ONE OF PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW. Scott Hewitt MARINA FOUNDED THE FIRM OF KATS, JAMISON & ASSOCIATES in 1995, one of the preeminent litigation firms in the region, with offices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Her firm takes the unusual position of accepting cases, both large and small. Every client deserves aggressive advocacy, Marina says. That s ultimately why I decided to be a lawyer so that everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard. While the firm s focus is personal injury, the firm s talented attorneys also represent clients in business/commercial, real estate, criminal, immigration, Social Security, and family law matters. MARINA AND THE FIRM S ATTORNEYS HAVE ACHIEVED multimillion-dollar results including: $30 million for the victim involved in a motorcycle crash, $10 million for a young boy run down in a crosswalk, $4.2 million for a man injured in a tractor-trailer crash and $3.25 million for a nurse injured in a car crash. In 2014, Kats, Jamison was featured in VerdictSearch for achieving a spectacular result for a female client who fell in a hotel bathroom by obtaining a $1.15 million recovery. THE FIRM HAS SUCCESSFULLY REPRESENTED CLIENTS before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and secured pardons for its criminal clients from the Pennsylvania governor. Marina and her dedicated team are fluent in Russian, Ukrainian, Armenian, Spanish, Italian, Polish, German, Uzbek and French. THE FIRM RECEIVES MANY REFERRALS FOR PERSONAL injury matters from other attorneys throughout the United States. MARINA IS AN AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY. SHE HAS A B.A. in Business Administration from Temple University and a J.D. from Temple Law and a Masters of Law in Trial Advocacy (LL.M.) from Temple Law, an advanced degree held by less than 1% of all attorneys. Temple s Trial Advocacy program was recently ranked #2 in the nation. Marina is also a successful businesswoman, focusing on commercial real estate projects and venture-capital financial services. SHE IS A LEADER IN THE PHILADELPHIA COMMUNITY, and involved in a number of charitable and civic organizations. Marina recently co-chaired the Foreign Policy Research Institute s 2014 Annual Dinner featuring a presentation by Gen. Michael Hayden. She is President of Temple University s President s Advisory Board, a member of Albert Einstein Hospital s Board of Trustees, Trustee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute and President of the Russian-American Chamber of Commerce. She was bestowed the title of Dame by the Ecumenical Hospitaller Order of the St. John Knights of Marina Kats LEGAL LEADERS MARINA KATS Malta. In 2008, Marina made history as the first Ukrainian-born candidate to ever run for U.S. Congress. In the 13th Congressional District, she received more votes than any other of her party s candidates in the 2008 General Election. She is fearless in her pursuits and still remains an integral member of her community by service and charitable contributions. AS A TESTAMENT TO HER SUCCESS, MARINA WAS rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and included in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. In March 2010, Marina was inducted into the Women s Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. She has also been honored by former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge as one of the 50 Best Business Women in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and as Woman of the Year by the YMCA. She was named Consumer Advocate of the Year for 5 consecutive years. 1 BUSTLETON PIKE, FEASTERVILLE, PA PH: FAX: MARINA@MKATS.COM

4 LEGAL LEADERS BY FIRM PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS Philadelphia s Top Rated Lawyers helps take the mystery out of locating a highquality advocate to protect you, your family, your business and all other assets. The lawyers in this comprehensive list are considered first-rate in their field and are available to help. Braverman Kaskey P.C. COMPLEX COMMERCIAL LITIGATION, CONSTRUCTION & REAL ESTATE, BANKING & TRANSACTIONAL MATTERS Page 11 Catania & Parker, LLP FRANCIS J. CATANIA MUNICIPAL LAW, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Page 13 Clifford B. Cohn, Esq. LEGAL MALPRACTICE, PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY, ESTATE LITIGATION Page 17 DiSandro & Malloy, PC E. DOUGLAS DISANDRO PLAINTIFFS PERSONAL INJURY, PRODUCTS LIABILITY, ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Page 13 Fisher Zucker LLP JEFFREY ZUCKER FRANCHISE, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, COMMERCIAL LITIGATION Page 15 Fox Rothschild LLP JERALD DAVID AUGUST BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL, TAXATION, TRUSTS AND ESTATES Page 7 Gerald S. Stanshine & Associates, LLC CRIMINAL LAW; PERSONAL INJURY, PLAINTIFF Page 15 Harkins Cunningham LLP JOHN G. HARKINS, JR., ESQ. SECURITIES, ANTITRUST LAW, ERISA, CONTRACTS, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Page 17 John Branigan Law Offices PERSONAL INJURY, LITIGATION, PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY Page 12 Kats, Jamison & Associates MARINA KATS PERSONAL INJURY, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, FAMILY LAW Page 3 Kurtz & Revness, P.C. STUART B. KURTZ REAL ESTATE, CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL LAW Page 17 Law Office Of NiaLena Caravasos, LLC FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE, WHITE- COLLAR CRIME, CRIMINAL DEFENSE Page 17 Law Offices of William P. Fedullo Of Counsel, Rosen, Schafer & Dimeo LLP MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, INSURANCE BAD FAITH, PRODUCTS LIABILITY, AUTO PERSONAL INJURY Page 13 Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson SHARON N. HUMBLE, ESQ. REAL ESTATE TAX LAW Page 15 Louis Coffey ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION, CONSTRUCTION LAW, COMMERCIAL LITIGATION Page 13 Mammuth & Rosenberg MARC S. ROSENBERG PERSONAL INJURY, PRODUCTS LIABILITY, WRONGFUL DEATH Page 17 Messa & Associates, P.C. JOSEPH L. MESSA, JR., RICHARD J. HELENIAK MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, PERSONAL INJURY Page 12 Mitts Law, LLC MAURICE R. MITTS COMPLEX COMMERCIAL LITIGATION, BANKRUPTCY, CREDITORS RIGHTS Page 15 NastLaw, LLC ANTITRUST LITIGATION, PHARMACEUTICAL LITIGATION, PERSONAL INJURY Back Cover O Neill, Bragg & Staffin, P.C. MEL STAFFIN REAL ESTATE, TAX Page 19 Peter J. Scuderi Esq. CRIMINAL DEFENSE Page 19 Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, LTD. JOSEPH CAGNOLI, JR. PRODUCTS LIABILITY, OIL & GAS, ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL Page 17 Semanoff Ormsby Greenberg & Torchia, LLC BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL, LABOR & EMPLOYMENT, REAL ESTATE Page 5 Sheller, P.C. STEPHEN A. SHELLER WHISTLEBLOWER QUI TAM, FALSE CLAIMS ACT, MASS TORTS, PRODUCTS LIABILITY: MEDICAL DEVICE & PHARMACEUTICAL Page 9 Shelly Law Offices, LLC CAROL A. SHELLY, ESQUIRE PLAINTIFF PERSONAL INJURY, MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, WRONGFUL DEATH, MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS Page 17 The Law Offices of Stanley M. Joffe, Esq. TRUSTS & ESTATES, IMMIGRATION, TAX LAW, INTERNATIONAL LAW Page 17 The Wescott Law Firm LYNANNE B. WESCOTT CRIMINAL DEFENSE: NON-WHITE-COLLAR Page 19 Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer, Brecher & Miller, A Professional Corporation MARC G. BRECHER MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, PERSONAL INJURY Page 17 STEVEN G. WIGRIZER MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, PERSONAL INJURY, CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENTS Page 19 4 \ PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED

5 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS DEFINITION NEED TO KNOW Full-time workers receive payment in cash and benefits. The law requires that your employer provide certain benefits, but many companies also offer non-cash aid such as paid vacation time and health insurance. Employee benefits are designed to provide security to you and your family, improving your quality of life. The Internal Revenue Service offers tax breaks to you and your employer for many of these benefits. SOME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW Employers are required to make payments on employees behalf into funds for Social Security and Medicare. You are also required to make payments into these funds, which are deducted from your paychecks. Employers must also pay for unemployment benefits on employees behalf. As an employee, you do not pay anything for federal or state unemployment benefits. BENEFITS ARE A FORM OF PAYMENT The IRS defines employee benefits, also called fringe benefits, as a type of payment RETIREMENT BENEFITS ARE TAX DEFERRED In the past, many employers offered pension plans. These plans guaranteed a certain retirement benefit after a certain number of years. Now employers are more likely to offer 401(k) plans, where employees contribute their own money to the plan. Employers may match contributions up to a certain amount. Generally, employees don t pay taxes on the contributions they make to their retirement plans. Nor do they pay taxes on employer matching contributions or investment growth within the plan. When they retire, however, distributions from the plans are taxed as regular income. PAGE PROOF FOR APPROVAL ONLY SEMANOFF ORMSBY GREENBERG & TORCHIA, LLC BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL, LABOR & EMPLOYMENT, REAL ESTATE for services. However, many benefits, including health care are not included in your income for tax purposes. They are not subject to Social Security or Medicare withholding. Some benefits, like educational assistance, are tax exempt up to a certain amount each year. Other benefits, like vacation pay, are fully taxable. ERISA SETS STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN BENEFIT PLANS ERISA sets rules and regulations for employer-provided retirement and health plans. ERISA requires that employers provide certain easily understood information about the plans and how they work. Employers must also inform employees about retirement and health plan standards for participation and eligibility for benefits. Over the years, ERISA has been expanded. For example, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (CO- BRA) requires that employees or their family members who lose health coverage due to job loss must be allowed to continue CO- BRA coverage at their own cost for a limited time. AS SEEN ON Charles W. Ormsby, Jr. Howard N. Greenberg Michael J. Torchia Michael B. Dubin Peter J. Smith Thomas A. Bell Jules S. Henshell William J. Maffucci Over the past 25 years, Semanoff Ormsby Greenberg & Torchia, LLC (SOGT) has established itself as a premier firm for entrepreneurial businesses by being Business Lawyers Serving LEGAL LEADERS CHARLES W. ORMSBY, JR. HOWARD N. GREENBERG MICHAEL J. TORCHIA MICHAEL B. DUBIN PETER J. SMITH THOMAS A. BELL JULES S. HENSHELL WILLIAM J. MAFFUCCI Business People. From the start, the firm has built long-term client relationships, and now serves as outside general counsel to a wide range of middle-market companies, startups, non-profit organizations, authors, athletes, and artists. We take the service aspect of our practice very seriously, says Charles W. Ormsby, Jr., a managing member. Our lawyers and staff members truly care about the people we represent, and that s evident in the personal attention we give to each client. Indeed, SOGT makes a point of promptly returning telephone calls and s, as well as being accessible outside of normal business hours. The firm also offers video conferencing services, alternative fee arrangements, and complimentary seminars for clients on issues affecting their businesses. Clients come to SOGT when they are facing challenging problems, Ormsby notes, and what we re best at is earning their trust as we become an integral part of their business team. Because of the experience of the firm s attorneys many of whom previously counseled large institutions at Center City law firms they are often asked to speak at industry and government conferences and continuing legal education presentations. In addition, nearly half of the firm s more than 20 lawyers are AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell HUNTINGDON PIKE, HUNTINGDON VALLEY, PA PH: TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS / 5

6 NEED TO KNOW SELECTING A LAWYER FOR YOUR BANKING AND FINANCE NEEDS If you have a banking or finance problem and don t have a list of lawyers you might hire, a great place to start your search is on Lawyers.com. There you can find a list of banking and finance attorneys in your area, complete with contact and background information. You can also check with your local bar association for reccomendations. ONCE YOU HAVE A LIST OF POTENTIAL LAWYERS Look for a list of representative clients. Does the lawyer represent other businesses similar to yours? Do they represent any of your competitors, or someone you may have to sue? Run internet searches on the attorneys names. You may find articles about them, legal cases they ve handled, or blogs they ve written. This type of information can tell you a lot about the attorneys experience and reputation. Make some phone calls if you can t find enough information online. Most attorneys gladly take the time to talk to potential new clients and answer any general questions, like how long they ve been a lawyer, how much banking or finance work they do, etc. Ask if the attorneys or law firms have a brochure or literature to mail to you. Ask for references. You want to talk to people who can give an opinion on the lawyer s skills and trustworthiness. Get a reference from a bank and from other lawyers. Check with your state s bar association and your local bar association to see if the attorneys on your list have ever been disciplined and if they re licensed to practice law in your state. In some states, attorneys may be certified by the state bar association as specialists or experts in banking or finance law. This usually means they have advanced training and experience. It doesn t necessarily mean they re the best in the field, but it s a good indication a lawyer knows their business. Consider the costs. Depending on your case, an attorney may charge you an hourly fee where you pay a certain amount for each hour she works on your case. Some attorneys may charge a flat fee a pre-set price to work on your case from beginning to end. As you research the attorneys on your list, look for information about how they typically charge their clients and consider which fee arrangement best fits your budget. Consider any special needs you have. For example, could you benefit from an attorney who speaks a language other than English? KEEP IN MIND After your initial research is done, start narrowing the list by focusing on your specific problem and needs. You probably want a business lawyer who either handles lawsuits (called a business litigator) or handles contracts and corporate matters (called a transactional lawyer). Think about hiring a lawyer or a law firm with expertise to cover all of your anticipated business needs. It s not a bad idea, for example, to look at a full service firm that does both transactional work and litigation. It can be difficult for individuals and small businesses to find a lawyer to help with banking and finance problems. Lawyers are sometimes hesitant to take on a lawsuit against a bank or financial institution because they can afford to hire good lawyers and wage long legal battles. If there are consumer protection laws involved in your case, such as truth-inlending laws, you may have better luck finding a lawyer to represent you. Look to see if a lawyer is connected with business- or finance-related organizations, too. For example, most bar associations have sections in business law and related legal fields. Having a lawyer who s involved in a state or local chamber of commerce or other local organization may also be a good sign, depending on your legal needs. After you ve narrowed your list to three or four attorneys, start making phone calls to set up meetings to talk about your case face-to-face. If you did your homework, you should be well on your way to finding the right attorney to handle your case. PREPARING TO MEET WITH A LAWYER It can be a big waste of time for both you and the lawyer if you re not prepared for your first meeting. You have to be ready to discuss the problem and help the lawyer understand what needs to be done. Be prepared with the following to make the transaction a smooth one: Any and all loan or financing documents you have, including loan agreements, title policies, insurance policies, promissory notes, security agreements, guaranties, UCC filings, deeds of trust, mortgages, and notices of default. Truth-in-lending documents and other forms that you have signed. Any information you have to show your payment history bank statements, canceled checks, money orders, receipts, etc. The originals and a copy of all correspondence you may have sent to or received from financial institution(s). Dates can be critical- get a calendar and mark down dates of when things happened and when you received any notices or other documents. Bring the calendar to your meeting to use as a reference. Copies of any guaranty documents, as well as contact information for the guarantor. The names, phone numbers, and business titles of anyone you talked to at the bank or financial institution All letters, memos and other correspondence or notes (even s) that relate to your problem with the bank. Organize everything in a folder or envelope. You re less likely to lose or forget anything, and it shows your attorney you re serious about your case and are willing and able to help. AS SEEN ON 6 \ PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED

7 PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST BUSINESS LAWSUITS NEED TO KNOW Your business may face a lawsuit. A quick response can make the difference in the outcome of a possible lawsuit. BUSINESS STRUCTURE AND AVOIDING PERSONAL LIABILITY The form of your business matters in a lawsuit, and many lawyers promote structuring a business to shield you from personal liability. Options include corporations or limited liability companies. Remember risk management when running your business, with the goal of preventing possible lawsuits. Look at your company s policies and procedures, keep employees trained and educated, and implement corporate compliance programs. CORPORATE COMPLIANCE Take corporate compliance programs seriously, and review areas needing compliance coverage. Programs ensure that workplace rules and regulations for areas such as workplace safety and employee conduct are followed and enforced. Employees need to know what s expected of them, how to deal with problems and how to get help from management. INSURANCE Insurance is a key component in planning against business lawsuits. You should at least have a comprehensive general liability policy. Other types of insurance may be required by law, such as workers compensation insurance. YOUR BUSINESS LAWYER AND YOUR PREVENTION PLAN Use your lawyer s services and advice at the front end of all your business transactions, and you may stand the best chance of avoiding costly lawsuits. You may save money you don t have to spend defending lawsuits when your business documents are well-drafted and planned. Work with your PAGE PROOF FOR APPROVAL ONLY FOX ROTHSCHILD LLP BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL, TAXATION, TRUSTS AND ESTATES lawyer to spot possible risks, and steer clear of them. An ongoing relationship with your lawyer or a law firm puts you in control if your business faces a lawsuit. Your legal team knows something about your business and can quickly respond to trouble. If your business is sued, the law sets clocks running, and you have a limited time to respond, often 30 days or less. It s a tremendous relief to have legal help you can turn to and trust. AS SEEN ON LEGAL LEADERS Jerald David August, Co-Chair of the Taxation & Wealth Planning Department at Fox Rothschild LLP and a nationally recognized tax lawyer, advises clients on the tax impacts of structuring international and domestic business transactions. He also advises high-net-worth individuals, both U.S. citizens and non-residents, on estate planning matters. He is further engaged in tax controversy and litigation matters. August, who graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, received his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and his LL.M. in Taxation from the New York University School of Law. After practicing tax law for 10 years in Palm Beach, he was admitted as partner in the Miami firm Steel Hector & Davis in In 1988 he founded his own firm, a tax law boutique, which in 2005 merged with Fox Rothschild, a national law firm with more than 500 lawyers in 18 cities across the country. August, who grew up in Wynnewood and is a proud alumnus of Lower Merion High, centers his practice at Fox Rothschild in Philadelphia and resides in Haverford, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Susan. He also practices at the firm s West Palm Beach office and maintains a residence in Jupiter, Florida. He is an active member of the American Law Institute and has published numerous articles on federal taxation for national law journals. August has frequently spoken on matters of federal taxation for the American Law Institute, the Tax Section of the American Bar Association, the New York University Federal Institute on Taxation, the NYU Graduate Tax Law Program, and the Tax Sections of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Florida Bar Associations. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Business Entities, a national tax publication, and the former Editor-in-Chief of the Tax Lawyer, a preeminent tax law review. He has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America for many years. Additional honors include Band 1 Chambers for Taxation and recognition in Philadelphia s Top Rated Lawyers for the past two years. He also publishes a blog on Federal Taxation at Fox Rothschild s website. JERALD DAVID AUGUST 2000 MARKET ST., 21 ST FLOOR, PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: FAX: JAUGUST@FOXROTHSCHILD.COM 222 LAKEVIEW AVE., STE 700, WEST PALM BEACH, FL PH: FAX: TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS / 7

8 LEGAL TRENDS REPRINTED FROM THE JUSTICES RULE FORFEITURE CASES SHOULD FOLLOW CIVIL RULES Written by: Lizzy McLellan Pennsylvania s highest court has filled in the blanks on how to approach issues in forfeiture cases that are not addressed by the Controlled Substances Forfeiture Act. In a unanimous opinion issued Nov. 19 in Commonwealth v. All That Certain Lot, the state Supreme Court said the entry of summary judgment pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure did not conflict with the Forfeiture Act. The decision reversed that of the Commonwealth Court and reinstated the trial court s entry of summary judgment. In such circumstances, applying the Rules of Civil Procedure to forfeiture proceedings will provide guidance and regulate practice, wrote Justice Max Baer for the court. In contrast, the [Commonwealth Court] plurality s approach would... create a procedural vacuum and leave parties and the trial courts without guidance or procedure for any issue not addressed by the Forfeiture Act which may arise in the course of forfeiture proceedings. Gregory Palazzari was arrested in 2009 and pleaded guilty to multiple sales of cocaine in The Attorney General s Office petitioned the trial court for forfeiture of his land in State College, Pa., where there was a gas station known as Greg s Sunoco. Following a discovery in which the state determined that Palazzari was the owner of the land, the prosecution moved for summary judgment, arguing that there was no genuine issue of material fact. Palazzari opposed the motion, arguing that summary judgment was improper because the Rules of Civil Procedure are not applicable to forfeiture actions. But the trial court granted the summary judgment, reasoning that there are gaps in the Forfeiture Act, Pennsylvania courts have characterized forfeiture proceedings as civil and they have used the Rules of Civil Procedure to fill the gaps in the Forfeiture Act. Following an appeal from Palazzari, the Commonwealth Court overturned that decision, saying, Although forfeiture proceedings are nominally civil, they are, when considered in their totality, more properly characterized as quasi-criminal punitive proceedings, and should be treated as such. The state appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that requiring a jury trial in all forfeiture cases, even those with no issues of fact, would be wasteful. The Supreme Court said that while the act requires the court to set a time for a hearing, that requirement only applies when the property owner files a claim that he or she has a right to possession. Even where a property owner files an answer raising a right of possession, it does not follow that a hearing is necessarily required, Baer wrote. The law does not mandate useless or wasteful acts. J.J. Abbott, a spokesman for the Attorney General s Office, said the office appreciated the court s ruling but he declined to comment further on the case. Steven P. Passarello, an Altoona, Pa., attorney representing Palazzari, did not return a call seeking comment. CHANGE IN PROCEDURE Brian M. Fishman, a Philadelphia criminal defense attorney with a special interest in forfeiture, said the decision is troubling for these types of cases. No one knows exactly where these cases fall, he said. It s kind of in this Neverland of law. With this decision, Fishman said, it remains unclear when attorneys should follow which rules. In his view, he said, it takes away the right to a jury trial in forfeiture cases. It s one of those slippery-slope kind of precedents where you have to be careful, said Fishman. In the Supreme Court opinion, Baer mentioned several other cases in which appellate courts rejected the argument that defendants in forfeiture proceedings should get the same protections as they would have in criminal proceedings. For example, criminal burden of proof and the right to appointment of counsel do not apply in a forfeiture proceeding, he wrote. Although in rem forfeiture proceedings must comport with due process of law, property interests are generally afforded less due process protections than liberty interests, Baer wrote. The court also acknowledged that the U.S. Supreme Court has applied Fourth and Fifth amendment protections to forfeiture cases, but said that does not transform them into criminal proceedings. The U.S. Supreme Court has also held that forfeiture does not constitute punishment for purposes of the double-jeopardy clause, Baer wrote. Justin J. McShane, a criminal defense attorney at The McShane Firm in Harrisburg, Pa., said the decision represents a change for property-related forfeiture cases in Pennsylvania. But he said he does not expect to see a major transformation in how cases proceed. I think it s a great case from the point of view of confirming what a lot of us in this area of law thought the law was, he said. I don t know if this is going to tremendously shift the landscape, at least here in Harrisburg. McShane said he was also troubled by the idea that some might lose their ability to go to trial, but in his experience, few forfeiture cases made it to trial before this decision. Joseph N. Gothie, a criminal defense lawyer at the Gothie Law Firm in York, Pa., said the decision creates opportunities for alternatives to trial that the Rules of Civil Procedure clearly allow and the Forfeiture Act does not address. The opinion makes sense, he said, and creates a workable patch for holes in the act. Defense counsel who are upset that a door is closed on mandating a jury trial even where there are no disputed facts should consider the other doors that are opened, like discovery, depositions and preliminary objections, Gothie said in an to the Law Weekly. Lawyers representing citizens in CSFA cases should be mindful of their pleadings and what they need to do to develop a record that supports that there are material facts in dispute. For example, he said, in Palazzari s case, the state engaged in discovery and the defense was able to do the same. Gothie said he is concerned with the possibility that standards in summary judgment cases might erode over time, particularly in cases involving small amounts of money or small properties. But, he said, he expects the courts to use appropriate levels of scrutiny. It s still a matter that deserves to be evaluated fairly and fully, Gothie said. 8 \ PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED

9 EMPLOYERS CANNOT RETALIATE FOR WHISTLEBLOWING ACTIONS NEED TO KNOW You shouldn t have to fear loss of your job or retaliation from your boss and co-workers for notifying authorities of illegal activity or safety hazards at your workplace. When you disclose this type of information about your employer, an activity known as whistleblowing, federal and state laws provide you with a lot of protection against employer retaliation. THE LAW OFTEN PROTECTS WHISTLE-BLOWING The government protects you from retaliation at work if you report safety violations by your employer. For example, whistleblower protection is available for reporting safety issues in the trucking, airline, and public transportation industries; the existence of asbestos in a school; unsafe cargo loaded on ships; and violations at nuclear power plants and pipeline facilities. You are also protected when reporting financial fraud committed by your employer, such as when a public corporation reports inaccurate financial results. If you are asked to testify in court or cooperate with a government investigation, the whistleblower retaliation protections still apply. Getting fired after you ve blown the whistle on your employer is probably the worst type of retaliation you can experience. Federal law also protects you against other forms of employer retaliation. Retaliation also includes intimidating threats by your employer, reassigning you to a different position, cutting your salary or hours, no longer allowing you to work overtime, or demotion. If you experience even one of these forms of retaliation, your employer is breaking the law. MULTIPLE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND COURTS Asserting your legal rights against a retaliatory employer requires the filing of various legal documents with federal and PAGE PROOF FOR APPROVAL ONLY SHELLER, P.C. WHISTLEBLOWER QUI TAM, FALSE CLAIMS ACT, MASS TORTS, PRODUCTS LIABILITY: MEDICAL DEVICE & PHARMACEUTICAL possibly state agencies. A complaint must be filed with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Depending on the type of violation you report, you may need to get it filed within 30 days of your employer s retaliation. You might be able to file a private lawsuit against your employer. THE LAW MAY REQUIRE YOUR EMPLOYER TO COMPENSATE YOU If OSHA concludes that your employer has retaliated against you for filing a complaint, it has the authority to require that your employer reinstate you and compensate you for any lost wages. If you ultimately sue your employer in court, you can get reimbursed for hiring a lawyer and for the fees you pay to expert witnesses. AS SEEN ON LEGAL LEADERS Ever since attorney Stephen A. Sheller began practicing in Philadelphia, he has fought for those in need of a strong legal voice. Sheller s storied career spans more than 50 years, and in that time he has challenged some of the country s largest corporations, securing justice for plaintiffs nationwide in pharmaceutical and medical device product liability, mass torts, and qui tam whistleblower cases. We represent people who are trying to right wrongs against large corporate entities, and they should be admired and lauded for that, Sheller says about whistleblowers. Their bravery is the reason we work as hard as we do to see that justice is done. In the past five years alone, Sheller s firm has helped recover more than $6.3 billion for U.S. and state governments in whistleblower qui tam and False Claims Act cases, including a $2.2 billion settlement with Johnson & Johnson over the illegal marketing of the antipsychotic drug, Risperdal. Most recently, Sheller, P.C., represented a former executive of Shire Pharmaceuticals in a qui tam complaint filed with the U.S. Attorney s Office that resulted in $58.9 million in federal and state settlements. Ultimately, these are cases that benefit the public s safety and health as well as our clients, and that s something we look for before taking on a cause, notes Sheller, who also works to address social justice issues through the Sheller Family Foundation. His book, Pharmageddon: A Nation Betrayed is to be released in STEPHEN A. SHELLER 1528 WALNUT STREET, 4TH FLOOR, PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: SASHELLER@SHELLER.COM TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS / 9

10 NEED TO KNOW CONSTRUCTING COMMERCIAL PROPERTY W hen you plan to building a commercial structure on land that you own or rent, carefully consider certain federal and state laws. In addition, a large construction project will involve many different contracts - at least a few of which will be disputed over the course of construction. To deal with these issues, you ll need the help of an experienced commercial real estate lawyer. ZONING AND LAND USE ARE KEY Before you purchase commercial property, you must know whether state and local zoning and land use laws will restrict the type of structures you can build. These laws can ultimately make or break your investment. Don t wait for ground-breaking to discover the land is not zoned for commercial purposes. ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AFFECT CONSTRUCTION A number of federal laws, such as the Clean Water Act, are intended to prevent pollution to the environment. Because of the environmental risks in commercial construction, you may find limitations and other requirements on your construction activities. Failure to comply can subject you to expensive penalties and fines, regardless of your awareness of the law. GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING Different contractors that you hire will be responsible for diff erent parts of the construction project. You need to protect your interests by creating written agreements with each contractor that states very clearly state your expectations. Agreements should also list dates for completion. INDEMNITY CLAUSES PROTECT YOU Disagreements and costly mistakes are fairly common in the construction industry. Sometimes you may be liable to pay damages just because you own the property. Because of this, it is important that all contacts include indemnity clauses. When you end up paying for damages, an indemnity agreement allows you to get reimbursed by the person or company that actually caused the damage. A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LAWYER CAN HELP The law surrounding commercial construction projects is complicated. Plus, VISIT OUR ONLINE EDITION TO SEE ALL OF PHILADELPHIA S AV PREEMINENT ATTORNEYS LISTED BY AREAS OF PRACTICE LEGAL LEADERS PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS OF 2014 LORIDA SOUTH F S S O U T H F L O R I D A S S O U T H F L O R I D A S S ISER D ADVERT FEATURE LEGALS LEADER S E N T R E S S ELPHIA PHILAD S LAWYER TOP RATED OF 2014 P Firm, P.C. Kolor Law es, P.L.L.C Evans Flor Young Law Thomas & m, LLC Lorem Ipsu rney at Law Joyce Atto PLLC per Leevy, Top MARINA KATS ber, Fool & ASSOCIATES Macinto, Web KATS, JAMISON per, L.L.C Martin Coo er Law Soupe & Ples Y L ATTORNE FUL PERSONA L INJURY, SUCCESS IN PERSONA L CASES NTING CLIENTS AND CRIMINA REPRESE FAMILY LAW A SPECIAL ADVERTISING IDE ALSO INS FORFEITURE JUSTICES RULE FOLLOW CASES SHOULD CIVIL RULES SUPPLEMENT DISTRIBUTED WITH THE PHILADELPHIA RETALIATE EMPLOYERS CANNOT ING AGAINST WHISTLEBLOW ACTIONS INQUIRER AND THE WALL FEATURED ADVERTISERS Kolor Law Firm, P.C. Evans Flores, P.L.L.C Thomas & Young Law Lorem Ipsum, LLC Joyce Attorney at Law Topper Leevy, PLLC Macinto, Webber, Fool Martin Cooper, L.L.C Soupe & Pleser Law STREET JOURNAL CLIENTS, MUST LAWYERS, NOT COSTS PAY COURT REPORTING PAGE 14 PAGE 9 PAGE 8 PUBLIS 10 \ ONLINE EDITION HER OF PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS To view the online edition scan the barcode with your smartphone QR code reader or visit at.law.com/philadelphiatoprated TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED

11 the facts of each case are unique. This article provides a brief, general introduction to the topic. For more detailed, specific information, please contact a commercial real estate lawyer. WHEN DOES A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY BECOME A NUISANCE? Commercial activities can be disruptive on many levels; they can be loud; aesthetically displeasing and odorousm and can involve the warehousing of materials and the use of hazardous substances. Commercial properties and sites are also associated with increased traffic. Building codes, fire codes, and zoning laws exist to keep these nuisances under control. Sometimes, they do not. When neighbors complain, small business owners must remedy the situation or face legal action. A nuisance is any condition or activity that offends people or put them in danger. Private nuisances affect a single homeowner. Public nuisances affect groups of people, either because people regularly visit the area where the business is located or because the nuisances affect public property. BRAVERMAN KASKEY P.C. COMPLEX COMMERCIAL LITIGATION, CONSTRUCTION & REAL ESTATE, BANKING & TRANSACTIONAL MATTERS If a business owner uses a commercial property for illegal activity, or allows anyone else to do so, this constitutes a public nuisance because it can endanger others. Examples of this would be drug sales or use of a warehouse to store stolen property. JUNK, DEBRIS, AND HEALTH HAZARDS ARE NUISANCES Commercial property covered in trash is a nuisance. A building in desperate need of repair would also qualify. If a business owner keeps rusting, inoperable vehicles on the property or stores abandoned furniture there, most municipalities would consider this a nuisance. Lumber or construction equipment that s in such bad condition that it s no longer useful could also be a nuisance. Hazards that risk the health of the public are nuisances in most municipalities. For example, stagnant water, animal manure, and septic waste can all pose a health risk to anyone who comes in contact with them. Any odors they produce would make the area unpleasant for anyone visiting. PAGE PROOF FOR APPROVAL ONLY NUISANCES CAN EARN PENALTIES AND FINES When a complaint is made against a business, a city or county official will inspect the commercial property to see if any laws are being broken. This might result in a warning to the property owner. If the owner doesn t address the problem, the government will levy a fine - and keep charging fines until the situation is fixed. Criminal activity is much more serious and can involve law enforcement. A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LAWYER CAN HELP The law surrounding nuisances on commercial property is complicated. Plus, the facts of each case are unique. This article provides a brief, general introduction to the topic. For more detailed, specific information, please contact a commercial real estate lawyer. AS SEEN ON Luigi Ciuffetelli Since its inception more than 20 years ago, Braverman Kaskey consistently has maintained large-scale capabilities while providing clients with the benefits of a boutique firm. Our total commitment to our clients enables us to bring so much more to their cases than any big firm could, says founding partner David Braverman. In John Kaskey s words, While there are some who say that there From left: David Braverman, Helen Mandel Braverman, John E. Kaskey is safety in numbers, we believe that a small but mighty force can move mountains. We provide it every day in some of the most sophisticated legal issues confronted in today s modern practice. From its location atop One Liberty Place in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, the 10-lawyer firm mainly handles complex commercial, business, banking and construction litigation, and transactional matters. We bring to our cases efficiency, creativity, and an unparalleled commitment to excellence, notes Helen Braverman, adding, Nothing but excellence will do. Attorneys at the firm include some of the most respected lawyers in the region, many of whom have been recognized as leaders in their fields. Three of the firm s attorneys are AV Preeminent rated by LEGAL LEADERS Martindale-Hubbell: David Braverman, John Kaskey, and Helen Braverman. All of us have sophisticated backgrounds and big-firm training, says David Braverman. But we ve brought our skills to this small-firm environment because its intimacy affords us the ability to respond flexibly to our clients needs. ONE LIBERTY PLACE, 1650 MARKET STREET, 56TH FLOOR, PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: FAX: DAVID L. BRAVERMAN JOHN E. KASKEY HELEN MANDEL BRAVERMAN TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS / 11

12 NEED TO KNOW FEDERAL BAN ON TEXTING WHILE DRIVING TRUCKS, BUSES No matter your mode of transportation, there s a good chance you ll see someone text messaging while driving. Hopefully you don t do it, because it s not only dangerous, but probably illegal in your state. The federal government has followed the states lead on outlawing texting while driving. NEW BAN In late January 2010, the DOT announced a new rule against texting and driving. The rule bans texting by drivers of commercial vehicles, like most trucks and buses. A commercial vehicle is defined as one that carries passengers or goods for profit. The rule is designed specifically for big trucks and buses; it applies to vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds while traveling on interstate highways and roads. The rule is in effect, and the DOT warned that violators could face civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750. The full text of the rule was printed in the Federal Register on Jan. 27, 2010, and available online. NO SURPRISE The DOT s texting ban shouldn t come as a shock. Late in 2009, President Obama issued an executive order barring federal employees from texting while driving government-owned vehicles or using governmentissued phones and devices. At that time, it was reported that the federal government was looking to ban text messaging by bus drivers and truckers traveling across state lines. Shortly before the executive order was signed, 18 states and the District of Columbia had laws on the books banning all drivers from texting while driving in the state. In addition, two more states had laws prohibiting teens and other new drivers from texting while driving. IT S A SAFETY THING Safety is the reason for these bans. Though it seems too obvious to state, the statistics are frightening. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is part of the DOT and worked closely on the texting ban, drivers who text take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds per 6 seconds of travel. At 55 miles per hour, a texting driver travels 120 yards - the full length of a football field, including the end zones - without looking at the road. Research commissioned by the FMCSA shows the odds of being involved in a safetycritical event while texting are more than 20 times more likely to get in an accident than non-distracted drivers. The texting bans are meant to stop this and keep drivers, passengers, and other motorists safer. If bus and truck drivers obey the new rule, and other drivers follow the bans in their states, the U.S. roads and highways will be much safer for everyone on the road. AS SEEN ON JOHN BRANIGAN LAW OFFICES Fighting the Good Fight. My picture stands out because my work stands out. Whether I m in the ring or the courtroom, I want the judges/juries declaring that my work wins. MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, PERSONAL INJURY Messa & Associates, P.C. proudly acknowledge Joseph L. Messa, Jr. and Richard J. Heleniak for being recognized as Philadelphia s Top Rated Lawyers! Mr. Messa and Mr. Heleniak are AV Preeminent rated attorneys, members of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and named as Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers. Mr. Messa, the firm s founder, is an advocate of American Board of Trial Advocates and a member of the Premier Trial Lawyers. He has obtained more than 10 verdicts and settlements over $10 million, one over $100 million and more than 60 over $1 million. Mr. Heleniak, a trial lawyer for over 30 years, is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocates. He has obtained multiple verdicts and settlements exceeding $1 million, including a $2.15 million birth injury verdict affirmed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. We invest our experience, energy, and compassion into every case. 123 S 22 ND STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA I am listed by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in the nation. I have been invited to Rue Ratings Best Attorneys of America, as well as the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In 1994 I was in the first group of attorneys in Pennsylvania to be granted a LL.M. Degree as a Masters of Laws in Trial Advocacy. Since 2003 I have been listed many times in the Statewide group of Super Lawyers of Pennsylvania which chooses the TOP 5% of lawyers in the State. Simply put, I have specialized in Civil Trial Litigation since Over the past 37 years I have tried thousands of cases and I have settled many more because every case is prepared for trial. Of them all, one case stands out as a defining moment. In the early 1990s I showed my friend and client, Tom G. his check in the amount of $2 million. I was happy for him even though he suffered a mild traumatic brain injury in an assault at a popular restaurant. When he looked at the check he seemed melancholy and I asked him if something was wrong. He looked up and said, I would rather have my life back. I never forgot that and I remember that lesson with every client I represent. Personal Injury, Litigation, Professional Liability 1122 LOCUST STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: FAX: JOHNBRANIGANLAWOFFICES.COM 12 \ PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED

13 FRANCIS J. CATANIA Francis J. Catania is the managing partner of Catania & Parker, LLP. He represents Pennsylvania municipalities, municipal authorities, and school districts in all areas of governance and operations. He also assists private clients in meeting their compliance obligations with local, state, and federal governments, as well as in appearances before administrative agencies and boards. He has directed his firm s tax practice for more than 20 years and had previously practiced as a Certified Public Accountant. For every year since 2004, he has received the Martindale-Hubbell highest peer review rating of AV Preeminent for both legal ability and ethical standards. His current public service includes serving as chairman of the Delaware County Redevelopment Authority, the Delaware County Economic Development Oversight Board and the Delaware County Authority. MUNICIPAL LAW, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CATANIA & PARKER, LLP 230 NORTH MONROE STREET, 2ND FLOOR MEDIA, PA PH: FAX: E. DOUGLAS DISANDRO PLAINTIFFS PERSONAL INJURY, PRODUCTS LIABILITY, ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Principal and founder of DiSandro & Malloy, PC, E. Douglas DiSandro has been representing personal injury claimants for 31 years in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School and of the Widener University School of Law. He has achieved numerous multimilliondollar recoveries for injured victims and is a certified member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has received the distinct honor of being named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer on numerous occasions based on the independent survey of peers and industry leaders within the legal community. Only the top five percent of Pennsylvania lawyers receive this distinction. He is rated AV Preeminent, the highest rating possible from Martindale-Hubbell, which evaluates attorneys legal ability and ethical background based on evaluation by their peers. A past board member of the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association and the Italian Lawyers Justinian Association, he serves as a mediator privately and as a Judge Pro Tem for the Philadelphia Court System. He has extensive experience representing employees of the US Postal Service, PA State Police, and City of Philadelphia Police Officers injured in the line of duty. He is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, United States Supreme Court, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the United States Court of Appeals. DISANDRO & MALLOY PC 1760 MARKET STREET, SUITE 1201, PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: FAX: GROVE STREET, HADDONFIELD, NJ PH: DD@DISANDROMALLOY.COM LOUIS COFFEY ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION, CONSTRUCTION LAW, COMMERCIAL LITIGATION Former senior partner of a national law firm handling complex, multi-party transactions. Created first land condo in PA to facilitate phased development of a suburban office park. Created first expandable and contractible NJ condo to facilitate phased development of several hundred townhomes. Law practice includes all aspects of finance, design, development, construction and operation of sports and entertainment facilities, including leases with professional sports teams, concessionaire and vendor contracts. Creation and operation of partnerships, joint ventures and disputes, limited liability companies, corporations, eminent domain proceedings, acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate and businesses and entity governance and governance board disputes. Neutral arbitrator and mediator in complex real estate and commercial disputes and major construction claims. Expert witness. Business consulting for entrepreneurs. Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America from Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators; International Mediation Institute Certified; AAA Complex Case Panels; Panel Of Distinguished Neutrals, International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution; Native American Dispute Resolution Network; Judge Pro Tempore, Commerce Court Division, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Co-author: Intratribunal Relations, Guide to Best Practices in Commercial Arbitration 3rd Edition, The College of Commercial Arbitrators. LOUIS COFFEY P.O. BOX 425, HAMBURG, PA PH: SUITE 6B CORAL SEA TOWERS W BAY HARBOR DR., BAY HARBOR ISLANDS, FL PH: COFFEYCONSULTING@GMAIL.COM WILLIAM P. FEDULLO MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, INSURANCE BAD FAITH, PRODUCTS LIABILITY, AUTO PERSONAL INJURY William P. Fedullo has achieved professional distinction by obtaining several seven-figure verdicts and settlements in the areas of medical malpractice, insurance bad faith, products liability and auto personal injury. Two of his most recent seven-figure recoveries occurred in 2014, the year he led his professional community as Chancellor of the 13,000-member Philadelphia Bar Association, the oldest association of lawyers in the United States. Mr. Fedullo, of counsel to the law firm of Rosen, Schafer & DiMeo LLP since 2008, also maintains his own practice within the firm, the Law Offices of William P. Fedullo. He achieved what was the largest-known verdict in an FELA Hearing Loss matter and is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. As Chancellor, Mr. Fedullo created the Support Our Schools program in partnership with The School District of Philadelphia, which matches law firms with public schools to provide financial and in-kind support. He is a 2014 recipient of the Education Law Center s Champion of Education Award. Mr. Fedullo also served as Chancellor of The Justinian Society of Philadelphia, a society of Italian-American attorneys. OF COUNSEL, ROSEN, SCHAFER & DIMEO LLP LAW OFFICES OF WILLIAM P. FEDULLO 121 SOUTH BROAD STREET, EIGHTH FLOOR, PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: x222 FAX: WILLIAMFEDULLO@GMAIL.COM TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS / 13

14 LEGAL TRENDS REPRINTED FROM THE LAWYERS, NOT CLIENTS, MUST PAY COURT REPORTING COSTS Written by: Gina Passarella A Philadelphia trial judge, in an issue of first impression, ruled lawyers, not clients, are responsible for paying court reporting costs. Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Ramy I. Djerassi said a law firm cannot pass the costs on to the client under the principal-agent relationship embodied in agency law without having expressly noted the client was on the hook for the costs. According to the opinion in JDR Acquisition v. Mitts Milavec, law firm Mitts Milavec, now known as Mitts Law, had a contract with plaintiff James DeCrescenzo Reporting (JDR) to record and transcribe 11 depositions in a federal civil case. The client in that underlying case was not a party to the contract, Djerassi said in his opinion. The judge said Mitts Milavec refused to pay the court reporting bill, arguing it should be paid directly by the client. The law firm s argument that agency law shields them from paying the money is inapplicable, Djerassi said. The law firm clearly contracted for the services that were performed. Additionally, public policy makes attorneys responsible for court reporting bills unless there is an express waiver by the attorney. Djerassi s opinion was in response to an appeal filed by Mitts Milavec and its principal, Maurice Mitts. After a March 21 bench trial, Mitts Milavec was found liable for $35,364, which included the more than $31,000 in fees owed to JDR plus interest. No liability was found against Mitts individually, Djerassi said in his opinion. Mitts Milavec argued at trial that JDR knew the law firm represented client Devon IT in a federal case against IBM Corp. for which JDR agreed to provide court transcription services. Mitts Milavec argued JDR implicitly agreed that Devon would pay JDR directly, according to the opinion. But Djerassi said neither law nor evidence supported that contention. The case was somewhat complicated by the fact that the agreement between JDR and Mitts Milavec was oral with no written contract. But Djerassi found the terms of the oral agreement were sufficiently specific to be enforceable. He noted that JDR gave Mitts Milavec certain discounts and free services to win the business. Djerassi said JDR representatives testified there was an implied understanding that Mitts Milavec would pay the court reporters directly. One representative said JDR s standard practice is to send its bills to the law firms directly and there was nothing to suggest its work with Mitts Milavec was any different. The representative also testified that no one at Mitts Milavec ever suggested anyone else would be paying JDR s invoices. Djerassi pointed to the testimony of JDR founder James DeCrescenzo, who said his arrangement with Mitts Milavec was implied, the same as all of his business relationships with lawyers. I would never enter into an arrangement with anybody other than the lawyer and his firm... I have been a court reporter for over 40 years, sir, I have never entered into an agreement with the lawyer s client, DeCrescenzo had testified. They are not my clients, I don t know who they are; I have no relationship with them. I have never spoken with anybody from Devon or Devon IT, I don t know if they are creditworthy or not. I deal with lawyers, and I have always dealt only with lawyers. Djerassi said that testimony was convincing. He said JDR relied on an oral contract with implied terms that were standard in the industry. The judge further noted that Mitts Milavec s actions showed it also understood the agreement meant the law firm would pay the court reporting costs. Djerassi said Mitts Milavec sent out the deposition notices and Mitts Milavec s address was the billing address for all JDR invoices. The judge said Mitts Milavec had sole authority about what happened to the transcripts and who had access to them. The law firm also never told JDR that its invoices were sent to the law firm in error, the judge said. And Mitts Milavec never told Devon IT or JDR that it wasn t paying the invoices until JDR filed the lawsuit against the firm. Djerassi said Mitts Milavec s claim is also contradicted by its own written legal retainer with Devon IT. The retainer assigns financial responsibility for litigation expenses to Mitts Milavec, stating all expenses will be incurred and paid for by the firm, according to the opinion. After finding an oral contract existed between the parties and that the evidence showed the contract terms were for Mitts Milavec to pay JDR, Djerassi addressed the agency law defense raised by Mitts Milavec. The law firm argued agency law makes Devon IT entirely liable for JDR s bill. Though this seems to be a question of first impression in Pennsylvania, a majority trend nationally favors attorney liability where a client/law firm retainer holds the law firm responsible for litigation services, Djerassi said. Under agency law, in which an agent has the authority to act on behalf of a principal, there are two lines of thought regarding the payment of court reporting costs, Djerassi said. The first line of thought holds an attorney liable only if he has expressly agreed to pay such services in the retainer, according to the opinion. Djerassi noted Mitts Milavec expressly agreed to pay for litigation services and Maurice Mitts testified at trial that court reporting costs were litigation expenses. The second theory of agency law, Djerassi said, holds that lawyers are liable for court reporting costs absent an express disclaimer because attorneys generally exercise control over the litigation and are more akin to independent contractors than agents. Efficient court administration puts accountability on attorneys unless they have negotiated an express disclaimer in favor of their clients promise to pay, Djerassi said. Mitts did not return a call for comment. Gary Samms of Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel, who represented JDR, declined to comment. Mitts Milavec s dispute with JDR is not the only one to emanate from the law firm s representation of Devon IT. The firm sued Devon IT for $2 million in unpaid attorney fees. The Legal reported in December 2013 that a Pennsylvania federal judge ruled Mitts Milavec was not entitled to an additional $2 million in legal fees because it breached its fee agreement with its former clients when it failed to pay third-party vendors. 14 \ PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED

15 SHARON N. HUMBLE, ESQ. REAL ESTATE TAX LAW Sharon Humble has worked with Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP for over 24 years. She heads up this national firm s Philadelphia office as its Managing Partner and is in her 10th year serving on the firm s national Management Committee. Ms. Humble has collected more than $338 million in delinquent real estate tax revenues assessed by the City and School District of Philadelphia. Her work has gotten over 12,000 vacant, blighted, and abandoned homes into the ownership of responsible owners and back on the City s revenue-producing tax rolls. Ms. Humble is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and Texas. She is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court; the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; and the U.S. District Court, Eastern, Western, and Northern Districts of Texas. In 1991, she received the American Jurisprudence Award by Lawyers Cooperative Publishing for Excellent Achievement in Constitutional Law, and she served as a teaching assistant for Constitutional Law in She has published numerous scholarly articles and annotations which have been cited as authority in fourteen law review articles and one book. She represents other regional clients as well, managing their business and legal needs through her Philadelphia office. LINEBARGER GOGGAN BLAIR & SAMPSON, LLP 4 PENN CENTER, 1600 JFK BLVD., SUITE 910 PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: FAX: SHARON.HUMBLE@LGBS.COM GERALD S. STANSHINE CRIMINAL LAW; PERSONAL INJURY, PLAINTIFF Gerald Stanshine is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who focuses on criminal defense and personal injury. Gerry has successfully represented numerous clients in high profile matters. Gerry is well known to clients, opposing counsel and judges for tenacious and skillful representation of his clients. He has been a guest faculty member with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and has testified before and counseled various Pennsylvania governmental agencies and commissions. He has also appeared on WPVI s, (channel 6), Action News: Issues and Answers. For almost two decades, Gerry was counsel and then lead counsel to the FOP in Philadelphia for police officers in Internal Affairs investigations and disciplinary hearings. He has been selected to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for six consecutive years; to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014; to the American Society of Legal Advocates as a Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer in Pa. for 2013 and 2014; and most recently was just awarded the honor of being named one of the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Pennsylvania by the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. Gerry is proud to have been consistently rated AV Preeminent by Martindale- Hubbell, (its highest rating), every year since 2000, and selected to Philadelphia s Top Rated Lawyers each of the last three years. GERALD S. STANSHINE & ASSOCIATES, LLC 1515 MARKET STREET, SUITE 1801, PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: FAX: GSTANSHINE@STANSHINELAW.COM Maurice is nationally known for his relentless commitment to his clients and for creative solutions. He litigates in state and federal courts around the country and has had highly publicized successes for financial institutions, bankruptcy trustees, and public and private corporations and their officers. Maurice has extensive experience with litigation involving complex commercial transactions, funds transfers, payment systems, and business bankruptcies. Maurice understands the unique needs of his clients and develops dynamic solutions for their legal problems whether their needs involve creditors rights proceedings, enforcement of payment obligations, or other business litigation services. Clients from across the country have sought his innovative approach to litigation and dispute resolution. His commitment to a potent presentation of his clients rights has earned him considerable acclaim and recognition from his colleagues, adversaries and numerous courts. Maurice has received an AV Peer Review Rating, the highest level of professional excellence in the Martindale- Hubbell system and has been named a Super Lawyer for 10 years by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine. JEFFREY ZUCKER FRANCHISE, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, COMMERCIAL LITIGATION Jeffrey has been representing clients in businessrelated matters for over 25 years first as an accountant and for the past 20 years as an attorney. Jeff concentrates his practice on franchise and distribution-related transactions, litigation and pre-litigation counseling, and also handles general commercial matters. He frequently represents franchisors and manufacturers in litigation regarding trademark, post-termination covenants and related issues. He also assists franchisors and other business clients in reaching effective, common sense solutions to day-to-day problems. Jeff has been selected by his peers to receive the Super Lawyer designation for franchise law in Philadelphia Magazine every year. Jeff is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Brookfield Schools, a private nonprofit group of schools which offer educational and clinical services to students with emotional needs. FISHER ZUCKER LLC 21 SOUTH 21ST STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: JZUCKER@FISHERZUCKER.COM MAURICE R. MITTS COMPLEX COMMERCIAL LITIGATION, BANKRUPTCY, CREDITORS RIGHTS MITTS LAW, LLC 1822 SPRUCE STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: FAX: MMITTS@MITTSLAW.COM TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS / 15

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17 MARC G. BRECHER MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, PERSONAL INJURY Marc G. Brecher is the managing partner of Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer, Brecher & Miller. For the past 29 years, Mr. Brecher s practice has been devoted to represent ing victims of medical negligence. He has represented clients throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. He has exten sive experience representing children who have suffered brain injury during the labor and delivery process from trauma or lack of oxygen. He also has experience in cases in volving failure to timely diagnose cancer and other medical conditions and intra-operative errors. For the last six years he has been selected by the National Trial Lawyers to Top 100 Trial Lawyers and has held Martindale-Hubbell s highest AV rating for lawyer excellence for more than 15 years. In addition, he was recently elected to a three year term on the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association. WAPNER, NEWMAN, WIGRIZER, BRECHER & MILLER, A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION 2000 MARKET STREET, SUITE 2750, PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: BRECHERM@WNWLAW.COM JOSEPH CAGNOLI, JR. PRODUCTS LIABILITY, OIL & GAS, ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL Trial lawyer Joseph Cagnoli, Jr. represents individuals, corporations, and public entities in product liability, toxic tort/environmental, and municipal/public entity liability matters. He serves as national coordinating counsel for several clients and has litigated in state and federal courts in multiple jurisdictions including Pennsylvania, California, Texas, and Delaware. A leading attorney in oil and gas/hydrofracturing matters, Mr. Cagnoli frequently speaks and publishes on this emerging area of environmental litigation. Mr. Cagnoli also has significant experience representing manufacturers of vehicles and commercial and industrial equipment in product liability and toxic exposure matters involving benzene, asbestos, and other substances. A Pennsylvania native, Mr. Cagnoli received his law degree from the Widener University School of Law (Harrisburg) and his undergraduate degree from Dickinson College. He is a member of the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations. SEGAL MCCAMBRIDGE SINGER & MAHONEY, LTD MARKET STREET, SUITE 2600, PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: FAX: JCAGNOLI@SMSM.COM NIALENA CARAVASOS FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, CRIMINAL DEFENSE NiaLena was recently selected for the cover of Super Lawyers in Philadelphia Magazine and featured in a Super Lawyers article entitled Fierce, in which she was described as going the extra mile in fighting for her clients as well as being a chief, not an Indian who made her reputation early on in the Merlino federal mafia trial by being unafraid to break ranks when arrayed against a coterie of high-powered attorneys drawn from the old boys network of lawyers in order to best represent and protect her client. NiaLena is consistently recognized as one of the top federal criminal lawyers in Philadelphia and as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers. She is known as a strategic, sincere, and relentless advocate who is unafraid to take Robert Frost s The Road Not Taken in defending her high-profile clients (i.e. CEOs, high-level federal government officials, doctors, lawyers, alleged mobsters, a powerful Senator, Arab Americans) in complex federal criminal cases. LAW OFFICE OF NIALENA CARAVASOS, LLC 926 PUBLIC LEDGER BLDG, 620 CHESTNUT ST., PHILADELPHIA, PA PH NIALENA4DEFENSE@GMAIL.COM CLIFFORD B. COHN LEGAL MALPRACTICE, PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY, ESTATE LITIGATION For more than 35 years, Clifford B. Cohn has maintained a successful and varied practice handling complex civil and criminal cases. He has an impressive track record of obtaining victories and achieving large financial settlements from the successful prosecution of a variety of matters, including estate litigation, will contests, commercial litigation, personal injury matters involving serious, catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. For the last 25 years, Cohn has been rated as AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, while developing a niche practice representing lawyers and clients in a variety of disputes, including legal malpractice, partnership breakups, fee disputes, and ethical investigations. He has successfully represented both clients against their former lawyers and lawyers being sued, as well as being a frequent lecturer on issues involving lawyers liability. CLIFFORD B. COHN, ESQ. 926 PUBLIC LEDGER BUILDING 620 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: FAX: CBCOHN@CBCOHN.COM JOHN G. HARKINS, JR., ESQ. SECURITIES, ANTITRUST LAW, ERISA, CONTRACTS, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY John Harkins has been engaged in litigation involving securities and antitrust law, contracts, intellectual property, and ERISA. He has served as an advisor on a variety of corporate issues. He has advised directors on fiduciary and other duties, corporate clients on disclosure issues, director committees in investigations of alleged corporate wrongdoing, and corporations on the defenses available to them against hostile takeover bids. Mr. Harkins is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of The American Law Institute. He served as a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania. He has also served as vice-chairman and trustee of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and chairman of the board of overseers of the university s law school, and is a member and former chairman of the board of advisors of the Institute for Law and Economics. HARKINS CUNNINGHAM LLP 4000 TWO COMMERCE SQUARE, 2001 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: FAX: JHARKINS@HARKINSCUNNINGHAM.COM STANLEY M. JOFFE TRUSTS & ESTATES, IMMIGRATION, TAX LAW, INTERNATIONAL LAW Stan has over 40 years experience in trust law, estate planning, pre-immigration planning and tax law with an emphasis on international trust transactions. Before going into practice for himself, Stan was a partner at a large Philadelphia-based law practice, where he focused on domestic and international tax and estate planning. He was a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Stan is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and South Africa and is a published author and speaker on international tax and estate planning. He holds a law degree in income tax and estate planning from Temple University School of Law and earned his bachelor of commerce degree, bachelor of laws degree and higher diploma in South African tax law from the University of the Witwatersrand. THE LAW OFFICES OF STANLEY M. JOFFE, ESQ. SUITE 225, 2 TOWER BRIDGE 1 FAYETTE STREET, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA PH: SMJOFFE@STERLINGTRUSTEES.COM STUART B. KURTZ REAL ESTATE, CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL LAW Stuart B. Kurtz is a founding partner of Kurtz & Revness, P.C. and chairs the firm s Real Estate and Business Department. He specializes in sophisticated real estate and corporate transactions, including multimillion-dollar mergers and acquisitions, licensing and real estate deals. His transactional practice has involved deals throughout the U.S. and internationally. He also has extensive experience in securing and closing financing transactions, including loan closings and debt and equity raises and serving as general counsel to growing entrepreneurial companies. He has been involved in originating, structuring, and closing various commercial real estate developments including hotels, shopping centers, apartment buildings and mixed-use projects involving conventional new markets tax credit financing. He has held an AV Preeminent Rating of 5.0 out of 5.0 from Martindale-Hubbell for 16 years. KURTZ & REVNESS, P.C. 3 GLENHARDIE CORPORATE CENTER 1265 DRUMMERS LANE, SUITE 209, WAYNE, PA PH: FAX: SKURTZ@KURTZREVNESSPC.COM MARC S. ROSENBERG PERSONAL INJURY, PRODUCTS LIABILITY, WRONGFUL DEATH Marc Rosenberg has been a managing partner at Mammuth & Rosenberg since He practices law in the State and Federal courts in many jurisdictions including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, focusing on Negligence and Products Liability cases. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mr. Rosenberg has spoken frequently at neighboring Universities and on behalf of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association, Pennslyvania Association for Justice and other Bar Organizations. He is member of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and American Bar Associations as well as the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and American Association for Justice. Mr. Rosenberg has also been directed by the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas to act as a Judge Pro Tem and Mediator. MAMMUTH & ROSENBERG 401 EAST CITY LINE AVENUE, SUITE 122 BALA CYNWYD, PA PH: FAX: CAROL A. SHELLY, ESQUIRE PLAINTIFF PERSONAL INJURY, MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, WRONGFUL DEATH, MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS Shelly Law Offices, LLC, handles cases throughout Pennsylvania including: Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh, Northampton, Delaware and Chester Counties. Admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit Supreme Court of the U.S. Education: Widener University, J.D., 1986, Gettysburg College, B.A., 1981 Lecturer: Bucks County Bar Association; Pennsylvania Bar Institute; Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers. Employment: Assistant Public Defender, ; Mellon Webster & Shelly, Shareholder, Fellow: American Bar Foundation; Past President of the Bucks County Bar Association; Selected as a Member of the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers. SHELLY LAW OFFICES, LLC 70 W. OAKLAND AVENUE, SUITE 208, DOYLESTOWN, PA PH: FAX: CAROL@SHELLY-LAW.COM TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS / 17

18 PRACTICE AREA INDEX LEGAL LEADERS INDEX OF FEATURED FIRMS BY PRACTICE AREA ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION DiSandro & Malloy, PC Louis Coffey ANTITRUST LAW Harkins Cunningham LLP...17 NastLaw, LLC...Back Cover BANKING & FINANCE Braverman Kaskey P.C BANKRUPTCY Mitts Law, LLC BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL Fox Rothschild LLP - Gerald David August...7 Kurtz & Revness, P.C...17 Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, LTD. - Joseph Cagnoli, Jr...17 Semanoff Ormsby Greenberg & Torchia, LLC...5 COMMERCIAL LITIGATION Braverman Kaskey P.C Fisher Zucker LLC...15 Kurtz & Revness, P.C...17 Louis Coffey...13 Mitts Law, LLC...15 CONSTRUCTION LAW Braverman Kaskey P.C Louis Coffey...13 CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENTS Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer, Brecher & Miller... 17, 19 CONTRACTS LAW Harkins Cunningham LLP...17 CREDITORS RIGHTS Mitts Law, LLC CRIMINAL DEFENSE Kats, Jamison & Associates...3 Law Office Of NiaLena Caravasos, LLC...17 Peter J. Scuderi, Esq...19 The Wescott Law Firm...19 CRIMINAL LAW Kats, Jamison & Associates...3 Gerald S. Stanshine & Associates, LLC...15 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, LTD. - Joseph Cagnoli, Jr...17 ERISA Harkins Cunningham LLP...17 ESTATE LITIGATION Clifford B. Cohn, Esq...17 FALSE CLAIMS ACT Sheller, P.C...9 FAMILY & DIVORCE LAW Kats, Jamison & Associates...3 FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE Law Office Of NiaLena Caravasos, LLC...17 FRANCHISE Fisher Zucker LLC...15 GOVERNMENT & MUNICIPAL LAW Catania & Parker, LLP IMMIGRATION & INTERNATIONAL LAW The Law Offices of Stanley M. Joffe, Esq..17 INSURANCE & BAD FAITH William P. Fedullo...13 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Fisher Zucker LLC...15 Harkins Cunningham LLP...17 LABOR & EMPLOYMENT Semanoff Ormsby Greenberg & Torchia, LLC...5 LEGAL MALPRACTICE Clifford B. Cohn, Esq...17 LITIGATION John Branigan Law Offices...12 MASS TORTS Sheller, P.C...9 MEDICAL MALPRACTICE Messa & Associates, P.C...12 Shelly Law Offices, LLC...17 Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer, Brecher & Miller... 17, 19 William P. Fedullo...13 MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS Shelly Law Offices, LLC...17 William P. Fedullo...13 OIL & GAS Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, LTD. - Joseph Cagnoli, Jr PERSONAL INJURY DiSandro & Malloy, PC...13 Gerald S. Stanshine & Associates, LLC...15 John Branigan Law Offices...12 Kats, Jamison & Associates...3 Mammuth & Rosenberg...17 Messa & Associates, P.C...12 NastLaw, LLC...Back Cover Shelly Law Offices, LLC...17 Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer, Brecher & Miller... 17, 19 PHARMACEUTICAL LITIGATION NastLaw, LLC...Back Cover PRODUCTS LIABILITY DiSandro & Malloy, PC...13 Mammuth & Rosenberg...17 Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, LTD. - Joseph Cagnoli, Jr...17 Sheller, P.C...9 William P. Fedullo...13 PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY Clifford B. Cohn, Esq...17 John Branigan Law Offices...12 REAL ESTATE Braverman Kaskey P.C Kurtz & Revness, P.C...17 O Neill, Bragg & Staffin, P.C Semanoff Ormsby Greenberg & Torchia, LLC...5 REAL ESTATE TAX LAW Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson - Sharon Humble SECURITIES Harkins Cunningham LLP...17 TAX LAW Fox Rothschild LLP - Gerald David August...7 O Neill, Bragg & Staffin, P.C The Law Offices of Stanley M. Joffe, Esq..17 TRUSTS & ESTATES Fox Rothschild LLP - Gerald David August...7 The Law Offices of Stanley M. Joffe, Esq..17 WHISTLEBLOWER QUI TAM Sheller, P.C...9 WHITE-COLLAR CRIMINAL DEFENSE Law Office Of NiaLena Caravasos, LLC...17 Peter J. Scuderi, Esq...19 WRONGFUL DEATH Mammuth & Rosenberg...17 Shelly Law Offices, LLC \ PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED

19 STEVEN G. WIGRIZER CRIMINAL DEFENSE: NON-WHITE-COLLAR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, PERSONAL INJURY, CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENTS Steven G. Wigrizer is an experienced trial attorney who has been repeatedly recognized as one of the best in his field. His devotion to and compassion for his clients have earned him a high level of client loyalty, while his preparation and understanding of complex cases have won him the respect of his opponents and colleagues. Few lawyers can match this unique combination. Mr. Wigrizer concentrates his practice on complex civil litigation including medical malpractice, products liability, and construction cases. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and earned his law degree from the Boston University School of Law. Mr. Wigrizer is a past president of the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association and is a frequent lecturer on civil litigation issues. He has been selected by the National Trial Lawyers to its top 100 Trial Lawyers list and has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in every year these awards have been given. PAGE PROOF FOR APPROVAL ONLY MEL STAFFIN, ESQ. in the 2015 F E AT U R E D I N FORTUNE.COM O NE ILL, BR AG G & STA FFIN, P.C. F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N C O N TA C T L E G A L L E A D E R S OR LEGALLEADERS@ALM.COM LEGAL LEADER LEA P R E S E N T S PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS OF 2014 ATS KAT MARINA K S IATE OC SS A & ISON KATS, JAM S, MARINA KATS JAMISON & ASSOCIATES MARINA KATS KATS, JAMISON & ASSOCIATES SUCCESSFUL PERSONAL ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CLIENTS IN PERSONAL INJURY, FAMILY LAW AND CRIMINAL CASES NEY PERSONAL ATTOR Y, SUCCESSFUL INJUR NALJUSTICES RULE FORFEITURE CLIENTS IN PERSO NAL CASESCASES SHOULD FOLLOW REPRESENTING AND CRIMI CIVIL RULES FAMILY LAW PAGE 8 WITH THE RNEY SUPPLEMENT DISTRIBUTED AL ATTO UR A SPECIAL ADVERTISING Y, RSION NSIDE SFUL PEA L S O RSONAL INJ RETALIATE E S EMPLOYERS CANNOTLOWING SUCCES IN PE JUSTICES CASE RULELFORFEITUR AGAINST WHISTLEB CLIENTS CRIMINA SHOULD FOLLOW ACTIONS ENTING LY LAW AND CASESRULES CIVIL REPRES PAGE 9 FAMI PAGE 8 A SPECIAL FORFEITURE JUSTICES RULE ULD FOLLOW CASES SHO CIVIL RULES PAGE 8 PUBLI SHER G SUPPL ADVERTISIN IBUTED WITH EMENT DISTR DELPHIA THE PHILA LIATE CANNOT RETA EMPLOYERS STLEBLOWING AGAINST WHI ACTIONS PAGE 9 T JOURNAL WALL STREE F ANDPTHE UBLISHER O INQUIRER T CLIENTS, MUSTS COS LAWYERS, NOT REPORTING PAY COURT PAGE 14 ORDER CUSTOM REPRINTS OF PHILADELPHIA S LEGAL LEADERS LEADERS T S R E S E N A S PHIL ADE LPHI ERS TOP RATED LAWY OF 2014 P T S S E N S P R E EL PH IA PH IL AD LAWYERS D TE RA TOP 14 OF Market Street, Suite 2925 Philadelphia, PA ph: fax: pscu1420@aol.com Women Leaders Law 720 Johnsville Blvd., Suite 1220, Warminster, PA P: F: mstaffin@obs-law.com LEGALS 20 Peter Scuderi has been AV rated for over 20 years. He specializes in federal and state criminal litigation involving complex search and seizure, white collar, forfeiture, and grand jury issues. COMING IN 2015 Mr. Staffin is a principal in the law firm of O Neill, Bragg & Staffin, P.C. which he co-founded in He is a graduate of Temple University School of Law (J.D., 1982) (L.L.M. Taxation, 1987). He is also a Certified Public Accountant. He concentrates his practice in real estate and tax matters, focusing on the representation of owners, developers, investors and operators involved or participating in affordable housing developments, including those generating tax credits (e.g. Federal low income housing tax credits and rehabilitation tax credits), and utilizing Federal, state and local financing, rental and other subsidy and assistance programs, public storage facilities and other commercial real estate transactions. Also serving as a principal in the firm is Gary L. Bragg (gbragg@obs-law.com) who concentrates his practice in general business and transactional matters. LEGDAERLS CRIMINAL DEFENSE WAPNER, NEWMAN, WIGRIZER, BRECHER & MILLER, A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION 2000 MARKET STREET, SUITE 2750, PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: WIGRIZERS@WNWLAW.COM THE WESCOTT LAW FIRM, PC 239 SOUTH CAMAC STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: FAX: SIDE ALSO IN PETER J. SCUDERI, ESQ. LYNANNE B. WESCOTT After many years at a large firm, Ms. Wescott founded her own firm in 2004, to practice criminal defense, primarily federal, and complex commercial litigation. She has obtained significant settlements in civil rights and personal injury cases. She represents individuals and corporations in the full range of economic and whitecollar cases. She has won jury trials and appeals in fraud, environmental, obstruction of justice and drug and weapon cases. A graduate of Temple Law School, she holds an MBA, is active on the boards of non-profits renewing developing areas in Philadelphia and numerous legal organizations. Ms. Wescott is licensed in PA, NJ, NC and DC. She was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America. She is the author of books and numerous articles. PAGE PROOF FOR APPROVAL ONLY ALSO INSIDE A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT DISTRIBUTED WITH THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER AND THE WALL STREET JOURNAL PUBLISHER OF AND PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER THE WALL STREET JOURNAL MUST LAWYERS, NOT CLIENTS,COSTS PAY COURT REPORTING PAGE 14 EMPLOYERS CANNOT RETALIATE AGAINST WHISTLEBLOWING ACTIONS PAGE 9 LAWYERS, NOT CLIENTS, MUST PAY COURT REPORTING COSTS PAGE 14 PLEASE CONTACT OR REPRINTS@ALM.COM OF TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS / 19

20 NASTLAW LLC ANTITRUST LITIGATION, PHARMACEUTICAL LITIGATION, PERSONAL INJURY Dianne M. Nast Michelle S. Burkholder Erin C. Burns Daniel N. Gallucci Joanne E. Matusko Matthew A. Reid NASTLAW ATTORNEYS COMBINE OVER 90 years of complex civil litigation experience. We provide our clients with experienced, confident representation to guide them in the most difficult cases. OUR FIRM S FOCUS IS ON COMPLEX CIVIL litigation, including pharmaceutical litigation and antitrust litigation. Firm founder Dianne Nast brings decades of complex litigation experience to the firm. Ms. Nast has been recognized by Courts across the country for her skill and leadership in complex litigation. ANTITRUST LITIGATION NastLaw attorneys are nationally recognized for their antitrust experience and have been appointed to significant leadership positions in some of the largest antitrust cases. Our lawyers have successfully litigated dozens of major antitrust cases to protect consumers and ensure fair competition for businesses. MASS TORT LITIGATION LEGAL LEADERS Our attorneys are known for taking leadership roles in mass tort litigation. NastLaw attorneys currently hold court-appointed leadership roles in several major pharmaceutical cases. The firm has taken major leadership roles in defective vehicle systems litigation involving millions of vehicles throughout the United States. OUR PROMISE NastLaw attorneys fight for victims our clients can be assured they will receive vigorous and aggressive representation. This work is our passion, and we are dedicated to helping consumers and institutions defend their rights when harmed by large corporations MARKET ST., STE 2801, PHILADELPHIA, PA PH: \ PHILADELPHIA S TOP RATED LAWYERS TO SEE A DIRECTORY OF ALL AV PREEMINENT RATED ATTORNEYS IN PHILADELPHIA VISIT AT.LAW.COM/PHILADELPHIATOPRATED