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EMPLOYER ALERT – Police Officers May be Exempt Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act’s Extended Paid Leave Requirements by Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire

MARCH 30, 2020 The United States Department of Labor issued guidance in response to the enactment of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to address whether law enforcement personnel are exempt from the benefits afforded under the Act. Specifically, the Act exempted “emergency responders” from the extended paid sick leave and extended family medical leave.…

EMPLOYER ALERT – Congress Enacts Paid Leave Law in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic by Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire

MARCH 19, 2020 On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was enacted into law. And went into effect on April 1, 2020. It is important to note that most employers will be impacted by the Emergency Sick Leave Act and Emergency FMLA provisions put into place by the federal government in response…

COVID-19 – A Message from Siana Law

Dear Clients, Colleagues and Friends, Over the past week, we have devoted considerable attention and effort to determine the most responsible manner to navigate the challenges associated with the COVID-19 health crisis. We continue to follow daily developments prioritizing the health and well being of our employees and their families, as we continue to fulfill…

Article on Fabrication of Evidence Claims by Brian C. Conley, Esquire featured in Borough News Magazine

February 20, 2020

Siana Law attorney, Brian C. Conley’s article, Fabrication of Evidence Claims, Navigating New Channels, is featured in the February 2020 issue of the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs’, Borough News Magazine. Read the full article here: PSAB February 2020 Fabrication of Evidence Claims by Brian C. Conley, Esquire Brian’s Bio | Areas of Practice |…

Implicit Bias in the Workplace – a Breeding Ground for Liability by Brian C. Conley, Esquire

January 16, 2020

It is no secret that employers face special challenges managing ever diversifying workforces. Differences in race, sex, religion, age, etc. – and discriminatory or harassing acts based upon them – can lead not only to difficult human resources situations, but also potential legal liability. Municipal employers must deal with an additional element of uncertainty when…

PA Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Web-Based Rentals by Thomas J. Grant, Esquire Featured in Borough News Magazine

January 1, 2020

The article, PA Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Web-Based Rentals, by Thomas J. Grant, Esquire, was featured in the January 2020 issue of The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs’, Borough News Magazine. The article discusses the PA Supreme Court’s recent decision in Slice of Life, LLC v. Hamilton Tp. ZHB and how it reinforces “the…

Siana Law Welcomes Shanna R. Mason, Esquire

November 21, 2019

Siana Law is proud to welcome Associate Attorney, Shanna R. Mason to the firm. Originally from Valley City, OH, Ms. Mason’s interest in law is rooted in her “desire to help people who cannot help themselves.” During her time at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law Shanna completed an internship with a…

Supreme Court Upholds Township’s Ban on Web-Based Rentals

October 30, 2019

In April, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a new ruling that has re-centered how zoning ordinances should be interpreted in the face of validity challenges and otherwise. While the Slice of Life, LLC v. Hamilton Tp. ZHB decision grabbed headlines in dealing with short-term, web-based rentals (think Airbnb or VRBO), its lasting impact will likely…

Siana Law Attorneys Participate in United States Courts Admissions Ceremony

September 14, 2019

On September 13, 2019, Brian Conley, Carolyn Naylor-Flynn and Gregory Hennessy, along with their sponsor, Sherry Brown, participated in a joint ceremony at the Federal Courthouse in Allentown, PA for admission to the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of PA. Attorneys Conley and Flynn were admitted to the Western…

Career Opportunities at Siana Law

Siana Law is currently seeking outstanding candidates for the following position(s). Please review the information below to learn more and apply: Municipal Law Attorney Chester County law firm with statewide municipal practice seeks Associate Attorney with 2-4 years of municipal experience. Candidates must be licensed in Pennsylvania and possess excellent writing and analytical skills. Experience…

Michael G. Crotty, Esquire discusses Property Maintenance Laws in August Issue of PSATS’ PA Township News

Siana Law attorney, Michael G. Crotty, was recently quoted in the article (see pg. 14) , Staying in Tip Top Shape, Property Maintenance Laws Help to Create an Attractive Community and Happier Neighbors by Amy Bobb, which was featured in the August 2019 issue of PSATS’ PA Township News. The article provides a helpful overview…

Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire to Speak at PSAB’s 2019 PA Municipal Legal Update

On Wednesday, August 7th 2019, Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire will attend the Pennyslvania State Association of Borough’s 2019 PA Municipal Legal Update. He looks forward to presenting the following seminar: Police Track 1: Elected Officials Role in Police Operations This session will review the fundamentals of municipal police management and supervision pursuant to municipal codes…

A New Wrinkle in Police Liability – The Rising Tide of Fabrication of Evidence Claims

Police officers facing a multitude of potential civil claims every time they put on a uniform can now add another to the list: fabrication of evidence. While malicious prosecution and Fourteenth Amendment Substantive Due Process claims have long been a concern for any police officer whose arrest or investigation results in a criminal conviction, the…

Christopher P. Gerber to present at 2019 PBI Municipal Law Colloquium

Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire, is proud to participate in the 2019 Pennsylvania Bar Institute Municipal Law Colloquium on Friday, June 7, 2019 at the PBI Headquarters in Mechanicsburg, PA. Mr. Gerber will be presenting, “Use of Force Policies, Police Misconduct/Discipline & Body Cams” alongside Mr. James Gavin, Esquire from 10:10 am – 11:10 am.

Article on Police Departments and Medical Marijuana Usage by Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire featured in Borough News Magazine

Siana Law recognizes Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire for his article, Police Departments and Medical Marijuana Usage, which is featured in the June 2019 Issue of the Pennsylvania State Association of Borough’s (PSAB) Borough News Magazine. Read the full article here:

Siana Law Attorneys Attend 2019 PSATS Conference

Siana Law attorneys, Michael G. Crotty, Eric M. Brown and Sheryl L. Brown attended the April 2019 Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Annual Educational Conference in Hershey, PA. They presented a variety of seminars that covered topics pertinent to municipal officials and employees, such as social media and the First Amendment. Read the…

Pennsylvania Supreme Court to Determine What Protections an Hourly Part-Time Police Officer is Entitled to Pursuant to the Borough Code and/or Police Tenure Act

Sheryl L. Brown, Esquire had the honor of arguing before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on April 9, 2019 to address an issue related to part-time police officers across the state. In a question certified to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, guidance was sought on whether the Police Tenure Act…

Article on Commonwealth Court’s Reversal of Zoning Hearing Board Decision by Eric M. Brown, Esquire featured in Borough News Magazine

Siana Law recognizes Eric M. Brown, Esquire for his article, Commonwealth Court Reverses Zoning Hearing Board Decision, which was recently featured in the March 2019 Issue of PSAB’s Borough News Magazine. Read the full article here: Commonwealth Court Reverses Zoning Hearing Board DecisionDownload Eric’s Bio | Areas of Practice | Contact Us …

ADEA Expands to Municipalities Large and Small by Carolyn N. Flynn, Esquire and Gregory R. Hennessy, Esquire

February 21, 2019

On November 6, 2018, the United States Supreme Court held that the definition of “employer” under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) includes all state and local governments regardless of their size. In Mount Lemmon Fire Dist. v. Guido 139 S. Ct. 22 (2018), two fire fighters, ages 46 and 54, sued…

Siana Law Welcomes Anthony DelGrosso, Esquire

February 4, 2019

Siana Law is proud to welcome Associate Attorney, Anthony DelGrosso to the firm. Originally from Blair County, PA, Mr. DelGrosso is a 2013 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Shippensburg University in 2010. Mr. DelGrosso has “always enjoyed helping others navigate complicated…

Commonwealth Court Limits Zoning Hearing Boards on Short-Term Rentals by Thomas J. Grant, Esquire

January 31, 2019

The Commonwealth Court recently issued a ruling that emphasized the importance of statutory drafting when it comes to Zoning Ordinances. In Hoefling v. ZHB of Monroe Township, the Court held that because the Township’s Zoning Ordinance did not expressly prohibit short-term rental of the entire property, such rentals are permissible. (1437 C.D. 2017). The property…

Maintaining the Foundations of Cohesion: Effective Discipline in Municipal Police Forces by Brian C. Conley

January 24, 2019

Effective organizations – be it a championship caliber sports team or a successful corporation – know that a foundation of discipline, which fosters morale and a sense of camaraderie, can be the difference between success and failure. The same lessons can be applied to police forces. The effectiveness of police departments in fulfilling their public…

Eric M. Brown and Michael G. Crotty Present Webinar on Zoning Ethics as part of the Penn State Extension Spring 2019 Land Use Series

January 23, 2019

On January 16, 2019, Eric M. Brown and Michael G. Crotty of Siana Law, presented a webinar on Ethics and Zoning to more than 45 participants from across the Commonwealth as part of the Penn State Extension Spring 2019 Land Use series. Participants received AICP maintenance credits for attending. The webinar series assists municipal elected…

The Bar for Individualized Educational Plans Has Been Set by Michael J. Salek, Esquire

January 17, 2019

In a time when schools are asking more and more of their students, families – and now courts – are beginning to ask more of schools. Before delving into specifics, it is necessary to provide brief background on the Individuals with Disabilities Act. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), states receive federal funds to…

2018 Municipal Legislative Year in Review by Michael G. Crotty, Esquire

December 27, 2018

With the close of the year, so too ends the PA Legislature’s 2017-2018 term. Sifting through the thousands of bills introduced over the past year, the lingering question remains: what did they pass?! While municipalities will need to continue to push for more reform in the upcoming 2019-2020 session, below is a summary of several…

Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire and Michael G. Crotty, Esquire featured in Risk Management Article Published in PSATS’ Township News

December 13, 2018

Siana Laaw recognizes Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire and Michael G. Crotty, Esquire for their recent feature in the December 2018 Issue of PSATS’ Township News article, Managing Risk – Awareness and an Emphasis on Safety Can Keep Your Township From Becoming a Liability Target by Amy Bobb, Assistant Editor. In the article, Mr. Gerber and Mr. Crotty…

Career Opportunities at Siana Law

December 11, 2018

Siana Law is seeking qualified candidates for the following positions. Associate Attorney – Municipal Law Chester County law firm with municipal practice seeks Associate Attorney with a minimum of 4 years of municipal experience. Candidates must be licensed in Pennsylvania and possess excellent writing and analytical skills. Experience representing municipalities is required. Salary is commensurate…

Drones Article by Sheryl L. Brown, Esquire is Feature Story in December Issue of Borough News Magazine

December 8, 2018

Siana Law proudly recognizes Sheryl L. Brown, Esquire for her lead story on Pennsylvania’s new drone law, featured in the December 2018 Issue of PSAB’s (Pennyslvania State Association of Boroughs) Borough News Magazine. Read the full article here: Happy Flying? What Your Borough Should Know About Drones Sheryl’s Bio | Areas of Practice | Contact…

Recent Decision Offers Primer on the Applicable Standard for Granting Zoning Variance Requests

December 3, 2018

The Commonwealth Court recently reversed a local zoning hearing board’s decision to grant a variance on the basis that the landowner who sought the variance did not meet the legal standard governing variances. In Salahub v. North Cornwall Township Zoning Hearing Board, No. 1322 C.D. 2017 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2018), a landowner operating a golf course…

Pennsylvania’s New Drone Law and How It May Affect Your Municipality

November 13, 2018

On October 12, 2018, Governor Wolf signed into effect Act 78 which not only established criminal offenses for the unlawful use of a drone (“unmanned aircraft”), with noted exceptions, but also provided a preemption of local drone ordinances. Does your municipality have an already established “drone” ordinance? If so, it may now be preempted by…

Siana Law Welcomes Gregory R. Hennessy, Esquire

November 8, 2018

Siana Law is proud to welcome Associate Attorney, Gregory Hennessy to the firm. Originally from Harrisburg, PA, Mr. Hennessy developed an interest in law while studying business in college. “I became very interested in human resources and employment related matters. After working in a human resources department I decided to pursue my law degree.” During…

Eric M. Brown, Esquire featured in PSATS Article on Pension Plan Funding

November 8, 2018

Siana Law recognizes attorney Eric M. Brown, Esquire for his feature in the November 2018 issue of PSATS (Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors) PA Township News. Mr. Brown was recently interviewed for an article that discusses pension trends and strategies municipalities may be able to apply to improve pension plan funding. “Meet with your…

Christopher P. Gerber and Sheryl L. Brown Present Hot Topics in Police Management Webinar

October 25, 2018

On October 3, 2018, Sheryl L. Brown, Esquire and Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire presented the webinar, Hot Topics in Police Management, on behalf of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (“PSATS”). The webinar included insightful information and recommended best practices pertaining to effective police department management, internal affairs investigations and liability that can arise…

Siana Law Attorneys Participate in The Wallace Trust’s Annual Run for the Woods 5k

October 25, 2018

On Saturday, October 20th, Siana Law attorneys Mike Crotty and Carolyn Flynn (together with their families) participated in the Wallace Trust “Run for the Woods” 5k at Wagenseller Park in Glenmoore, PA. It was crisp fall morning, ideal for running the parks, trails and rolling hills in the Township. Mike and Carolyn made the firm…

Siana Law Successfully Defeats State Created Danger Claim

October 11, 2018

Attorneys at Siana Law were successful in defeating a plaintiff’s state created danger claim asserted against a local municipality stemming from a police chief’s motor vehicle accident. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District court’s dismissal of a Complaint brought against the township, it’s supervisors and police chief. The history of the claim…

Article on Social Media Policy by Eric M. Brown Featured in PSAB’s Borough News Magazine

September 26, 2018

Siana Law recognizes attorney Eric M. Brown, Esquire for his recently published article in the October 2018 issue of PSAB‘s Borough News Magazine. His featured article breaks down the best practices for developing an effective social media policy for municipal employers. Read the full article provided by PSAB below: Full Article on Social Media by…

Siana Law Attorneys to Speak at PAMA Conference

Siana Law attorneys Michael G. Crotty and Christopher P. Gerber are proud to participate in the 59th Annual Pennsylvania Association of Municipal Administrators (PAMA) Conference, August 12th – 15th at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PA. They look forward to presenting on the following topics* on Tuesday, August 14th, 2018: 2018 Trends in Municipal Law…

The Supreme Court Alters the Landscape on Collection of Union Agency Fees

On June 27, 2018, in the decision of Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31, the United States Supreme Court held that an Illinois law that forces public employees to contribute an agency fee (also known as a “fair share” fee) if they choose not to join a union it…

Articles by Christopher Gerber and Brian Conley, featured in Borough News Magazine

Two articles by Siana Law attorneys Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire and Brian C. Conley, Esquire, each of which address pertinent issues for local municipalities and law enforcement, were recently featured in the June and July issues of the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB), Borough News Magazine. Read the full articles provided by PSAB below:…

Commonwealth Court Offers Reminder that Land Development Waivers Must Meet Undue Hardship Threshold

The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court recently emphasized to developers and municipalities the need to properly justify waivers from provisions of a subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO) during the land development process. In Lake MacLeod Homeowners’ Association, Inc. v. Pine Township Board of Supervisors and Cavalier Partners, LP, the Court sided with the objectors by holding…

Michael G. Crotty, Esquire Presents Two Webinars to Members of PSAB

Siana Law Partner, Michael G. Crotty, Esquire is teaming up with the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) to present two webinars on the following topics this fall: Zoning and Joint Zoning Considerations to Promote Sustainable Communities Wednesday, September 6, 2018 12 pm – 1:00 pm What Every Municipality Should Know about Insurance Coverage Wednesday,…

Sheryl L. Brown, Esquire Presents Training Session on Wiretap Act, Police Body Cameras and Right to Know Law at PSATS Conference

On April 24, 2018, Sherry Brown, Esquire presented a training session at the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Officials (“PSATS”) Spring 2018 Educational Conference titled: The Wiretap Act, Police Body Cams, and the Right-to-Know Law. The session focused on Act 22 of 2017, which amended the Pennsylvania Wiretap Law to open the door for law enforcement…

Sheryl L. Brown, Esquire Presents Drone Program to Montgomery County Bar Association Real Estate Committee

In April, 2018, Sherry Brown, Esquire was pleased to present a program to the Montgomery County Bar Association, Real Estate Committee titled: It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane.. no Wait, it’s a Drone? During the course of the presentation, issues such as federal regulations for recreational, commercial and government use were addressed along with potential…

Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire Presents Police Liability Training Session

Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire presented a training session entitled, Police Liability: Operational and Personnel Issues, at the Spring 2018 Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (“PSATS”). The purpose of the program was to raise awareness among elected officials, managers, chiefs of police and solicitors regarding personnel and operational issues that result in costly litigation and…

Siana Law Partners Attend 2018 PSATS Conference

Beginning on Monday April 23, 2018, Siana Law Partners, Michael G. Crotty, Eric M. Brown, Christopher P. Gerber and Sheryl L. Brown will attend the 2018 PSATS Annual Educational Conference in Hershey, PA. Our partners look forward leading the following seminars on five different topics at this year’s conference. Read on to learn more about…

Fact Finding Meetings – The Nondeliberative Exception to the Sunshine Act by Robert M. Tucker, Esquire

Since anyone can remember, Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act (“The Act”) has been the battleground for advocates of transparency in local government. The Act, with its allowances for executive sessions, seeks to balance transparency against the demands for confidentiality. But what about when deliberations take place behind closed doors? Otherwise known as a Smith fact-finding session –…

Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire Presents Proper Supervision of Municipal Police Departments Webinar

February 23, 2018

On February 21, 2018, Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire presented a webinar entitled, Proper Supervision of Municipal Police Departments on behalf of the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs. The purpose of the webinar was to raise awareness among elected officials, managers, chiefs of police and solicitors regarding their roles in properly managing municipal police departments; to provide a…