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News & Media Mentions
10/20/2016 | Media
Congratulations! Kevin Amadio of the construction practice group has been appointed co-chair of the Construction and Public Contract Law Committee of the Montgomery Bar Association for 2018.
GVF’s Advancing Mobility Summit Showcases the Future of Mobility
GVF, a not-for-profit organization created to advocate a viable transportation network for the region’s economic vitality, hosted its signature event of the year, its Advancing Mobility Summit on November 6th.
The panel session focused on Parking, Municipal updates, State and Local infrastructure updates, Engineering and Regional updates all focused around TDM.
Enhancing Mobility among communities saw four municipalities share current and upcoming projects that will enhance their communities. The municipalities included; Limerick, Lower Merion, Upper Dublin townships and the Borough of Phoenixville.
Innovative Engineering Projects discussed topics such as Automated Traffic Signals, Performance Measures, Progressive Design Build and Innovative Construction Management.
George Broseman, a principal and member of Kaplin Stewart’s Land Use, Zoning & Development Department participated in this event as a moderator for the panel.
Kaplin Stewart is a proud sponsor of this annual event.
CONGRATULATIONS KAPLIN STEWART ATTORNEYS
LISTED IN “THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA”© 2018
The 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers recognizes eight Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. principals as leading lawyers across 34 areas of specialization. Best Lawyers compiles its lists of outstanding lawyers by conducting peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”
Kaplin Stewart is extremely proud of our recent recipients:
• Andrew B. Cohn: Construction Law
• Robert A. Korn: Construction Law
• George W. Broseman: Land Use and Zoning Law
• Marc B. Kaplin: Land Use and Zoning Law
• Neil A. Stein: Land Use and Zoning Law
• Robert A. Korn: Litigation – Construction
• Marc B. Kaplin: Litigation-Land Use and Zoning
• Jeffrey L. Silberman: Real Estate Law
Subcontractor’s Association of the Delaware Valley
On October 23, 2017, Kevin Amadio, a principal in Kaplin Stewart’s Construction Department, presented a program on “Integrated Project Delivery: Collaborative Innovation in the Construction Industry” for the Subcontractor’s Association of the Delaware Valley and moderated a panel discussion with a group of construction industry representatives about their experiences with IPD projects in the Philadelphia area.
2017 Super Lawyers & Rising Star
We are pleased to announce that five of our attorneys have been selected as 2017 Super Lawyers – Gregg I. Adelman for Land Use/Zoning, Andrew B. Cohn for Construction Litigation, Marc B. Kaplin for Land Use/Zoning, Robert A. Korn for Construction Litigation and William J. Levant for Creditor Debtor Rights. In addition, Jessica A. Kubisiak has been named a Super Lawyer Rising Star for 2017.
Super Lawyers selected attorneys for this honor using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. The objective of Super Lawyers is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel.
Neil A. Stein, Esquire was personally thanked for his participation in the 2nd Annual Philadelphia Multifamily Summit, February 2, 2017.
“I’d like you to know that this was an amazing and very distinguished speaker panel and it was a privilege to work alongside you. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your in-depth knowledge and expertise, along with your personal success stories to our audience. Your time and effort in making this event was, and continues to be, very much appreciated.
We’ve received some very positive feedback on the excellent choice of panelists and moderators and the program content was very timely. While speaking with attendees during onsite and post-production phase, many expressed being fortunate to walk away with new insights, learn about new programs and incentives, meet and have the time to speak with you one on one in addition to gaining strategies which will help them expand their business and portfolios in this important and growing industry. “
Congratulations!
The Legal Intelligencer’s editorial staff set out to select their latest group of Top Women in Law, their attempt to shine a light on the outstanding work being done by female attorneys across Pennsylvania who have had notable achievements in the last two years. We are honored that Sandhya M. Feltes was named one of The Legal’s 2016 Top Women in Law.
Pamela M. Tobin, Esquire has been accepted as Master for the Mortgage Foreclosure Conciliation Program in Montgomery County, PA. In response to the ongoing foreclosure crisis in this country, many states have implemented foreclosure diversion programs to assist borrowers in finding ways to avoid foreclosure. In Pennsylvania, certain counties have implemented such programs and made conciliation conferences available to homeowners facing foreclosure.
Two of Kaplin Stewart’s attorneys have been named to the 2016 Top Attorneys List by PhillyBiz
Marc Kaplin in the areas of Land Use & Zoning Law, and Development.
Jessica A. Kubisiak in the area of Commercial Litigation.
Welcoming attorney Taylor A. Smith
Taylor A. Smith, Esquire has joined Kaplin Stewart in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania as an Associate in the Estate and Trusts group. Her practice focuses on all stages of estate planning and estate administration. Ms. Smith’s practice also includes general tax practice. Prior to joining Kaplin Stewart, Ms. Smith was an Associate in the Trusts and Estates department at Dilworth Paxson, LLP in Center City Philadelphia. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Temple University and her Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and Bachelors of Arts in Political Science at Villanova University. Ms. Smith is licensed to practice law in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Taylor resides in Drexel Hill, PA.
Kaplin Stewart 2016 PA Super Lawyers
We are pleased announce that seven Kaplin Stewart attorneys have been selected as 2016 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
Gregg I. Adelman for Land Use/Zoning
Andrew B. Cohn for Construction Litigation
Marc B. Kaplin for Land Use/Zoning
Robert A. Korn for Construction Litigation
William J. Levant for Creditor Debtor Rights
In addition, Jessica A. Kubisiak, Esquire has been named a Super Lawyer Rising Star for 2016.
Super Lawyers selected attorneys for this honor using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. The objective of Super Lawyers is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel.
Our NJ Office Moved!
Over the years, we have built strong and loyal relationships with you and it is our intention to continue to grow these relationships while forming new ones. Our clients’ needs are always first and foremost, and providing the best legal representation for each of you is our goal.
As always, you can expect our staff to be professional, helpful and friendly. We certainly hope that you will stop in and visit with us after the move.
As of August 14, 2015, our new address will be:
Commerce Center
1800 Chapel Avenue, W., Suite 320
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Our telephone and fax numbers will remain the same.
Kaplin Stewart 2015 PA Super Lawyers
We are proud to announce that seven Kaplin Stewart attorneys have been selected as 2015 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers attorney-led research staff searches for lawyers who have attained certain honors, results or credentials, which indicate a high degree of peer recognition or professional competence. The objective of Super Lawyers is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel. The final published list represents no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state.
Gregg I. Adelman for Land Use/Zoning
Andrew B. Cohn for Construction Litigation
Marc B. Kaplin for Land Use/Zoning
Robert A. Korn for Construction Litigation
William J. Levant for Creditor Debtor Rights
Daniel R. Utain has been named a Super Lawyer Rising Star for 2015.
Neil A. Stein inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Home Builders Association
Neil A. Stein, principal of the Land Use and Zoning group, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties and reappointed to its board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Stein was appointed to the Legal Action Committee of the National Association of Home Builders. In Mr. Stein’s practice he represents landowners, developers, institutions and non-profit groups in each and every phase of real estate transactions and land use approvals.
Robert A. Korn selected as Mediator for American Arbitration Association Panel
Robert A. Korn, is a partner of the firm and member of the Construction & Surety Law and Commercial Litigation group. The American Arbitration Association, in conjunction with lawyers that handle large complex disputes, has established a unique panel of mediators for the Northeast. The AAA Master Mediator Panel will be comprised of the top mediators as rated by counsel. We are pleased to announce that Mr. Korn has been selected as a Mediator for this new Panel. Mediators were selected utilizing a rating committee made up of a diverse group of advocates and in-house counsel representing clients in complex, high stakes disputes.
Welcome to New Members of the Kaplin Stewart Family
June P. Singh, Esquire, has joined Kaplin Stewart in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania in the Land Use, Zoning and Development Law group. Her practice focuses on the areas of zoning, land use, and development of commercial and residential real estate. She received her Juris Doctorate from Villanova University School of Law. Ms. Singh is licensed to practice law in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Jessica A. Kubisiak, Esquire, is an Associate in the Business & Commercial Litigation and Real Estate & Title Litigation groups. Ms. Kubisiak’s practice involves complex commercial litigation in both state and federal court. She also handles cases involving title litigation, contract disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Congratulations! We are pleased to announce our new partners
Amee S. Farrell of the Land Use & Zoning Group has been named a principal of Kaplin Stewart. Ms. Farrell concentrates her practice in the areas of land use, land development and zoning of commercial, public and residential real estate, as well as matters related to procurement of building permits and certificates of occupancy under the Pa Construction Code Act. Ms. Farrell represents private developers throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey before municipal boards, state and federal agencies, and in state courts.
Marc A. Snyder, Esq. has been named a principal of Kaplin Stewart. Mr. Snyder concentrates his practice in the areas of Real Estate and Corporate Transactions. Mr. Snyder represents buyers and sellers, landlords and tenants, developers and investors, and lenders throughout the country. He also represents closely held businesses and startup companies in their day to day business operations, advising them on various contract-related issues and assisting them in finding practical solutions to their legal problems.
Kaplin Stewart Super Lawyers
We are pleased to announce that five of Kaplin Stewart attorneys have been selected as 2014 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, and three attorneys selected as 2014 Pennsylvania Rising Stars. Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Only five percent of the total lawyers in the state are ultimately selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers.
Named as Super Lawyers:
Andrew B. Cohn for Construction Litigation
Marc B. Kaplin for Land Use & Zoning
Robert A. Korn for Construction Litigation
William J. Levant for Business Litigation
Neil A. Stein for Real Estate
Named as Rising Stars:
Gregg I. Adelman for Land Use & Zoning
Dirk M. Simpson for Estate & Probate
Attorney News
Kimberly L. Russell, Esquire, a principal in the Employment group, gave a presentation on Wednesday, October 1, 2014, to The Independence Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators. Her presentation covered the current laws governing ADA (American with Disabilities Act), FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act), Wage and Hour (exempt v. non-exempt classifications of employees), and EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), including hostile work environment. In her practice, Ms. Russell defends employers in all types of employment litigation including sex, age, race and disability discrimination claims, wrongful discharge, Family and Medical Leave, and wage claims.
Neil A. Stein, Esquire, a principal in the Land Use, Zoning & Development group, has been re-appointed as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law. Mr. Stein will also be speaking at the PBI Land Use Institute in June, 2014. Mr. Stein has more than 30 years of experience representing real estate owners, developers, lenders and builders in complex land use, zoning, environmental and corporate matters.
We are pleased to announce that Craig Robert Lewis of the Land Use & Zoning Group has become a partner of the firm. Mr. Lewis’ practice focuses in the areas of land use, land development and zoning of both commercial and residential real estate. His practice involves representation of a wide array of clients including developers, homebuilders, homeowners, landowners and educational institutions throughout various regions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Pamela M. Tobin , a member of the Commercial Litigation group, was appointed to serve on the Executive Committee of the Montgomery Bar Association for 2014. Ms. Tobin has been an active member of the Montgomery Bar Association for a number of years serving on the Board of Directors, and as Vice Chairwoman of the Women in the Law Committee. In addition, Ms. Tobin will be partnering with Len Deutchman of LDiscovery to present a CLE on cost effective ways for producing electronic discovery at the Montgomery Bar Association. In her practice, Ms. Tobin handles complex commercial litigation cases involving real estate disputes and claims against municipal authorities and agencies.
Kevan F. Hirsch, a principal in the Business & Commercial Litigation group, has been appointed as Chair of the PBA Lawyers’ Assistance Committee for the 2013/2014 year.
Pamela Tobin, a member of the Business & Commercial Litigation group, has been appointed to the Legal Studies Advisory Board of Manor College. Pennsylvania. Manor College is a private two-year institution offering transfer and career oriented programs to traditional age and adult students.
Robert A. Korn are contributing authors of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s recently published “Pennsylvania Construction Law: Project Delivery Methods, Execution, and Completion”, having authored the Chapter titled “Tort Actions Arising on Construction Projects” which focuses on tort claims against the design professional and others involved in the construction process. Mr. Korn work discusses professional malpractice as well as other tort theories, including ordinary and gross negligence and negligent misrepresentation. The publication is a comprehensive and practical resource for construction lawyers looking for a resource in the area of construction law.
KUDOS TO
A State Property Rights Victory for Kaplin Stewart Against the Railroad
Marc Kaplin and Pamela Tobin have secured a precedent-setting state rights victory in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals for their client, the MacDade Boulevard Mall. The lawsuit was filed as a result of a dispute over CSX Transportation, Inc.’s failure to control its storm water runoff. CSX had allowed its storm water runoff to flood the Mall for years and then installed a concrete spillway on the Mall’s property into the Mall’s private drainage system. The lower court agreed with CSX that it was immune from liability under the Federal Railway Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. € 20106. Marc Kaplin argued the Mall’s case before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals which ultimately reversed the trial court’s decision holding that the federal regulation did not authorize CSX to discharge its storm water directly onto the Mall’s property. The Appeals Court concluded that the regulation was never intended to give the railroad the authority to disregard state property rights. The Third Circuit’s decision is a vindication of state rights and a reminder that landowners have a cause of action against adjoining property owners who do not properly control their storm water.
Dirk Simpson, of the Estates, Administration & Planning group, successfully tried an unusual estates case in the Philadelphia Orphans’ Court, and Pamela Tobin, of the Business & Commercial Litigation group, successfully handled the appeal, resulting in a victory for our client, the executrix of the estate. The executrix wanted her sister to return the proceeds in a bank account that their late mother had long ago titled jointly with her sister. Under the Pennsylvania Multiple Party Accounts Act, 20 Pa. C.S.A. §6303, however, the sister benefited from the presumption that, as surviving joint owner, she legally inherited the account absent clear and convincing contrary intent. This case was unique in that before death, the decedent had deposited $300,000 in the account to use to purchase a home which she intended to title in both daughters’ names. Death occurred before the house was purchased and the surviving account holder took control of the account. Mr. Simpson persuaded the Orphans’ Court that the presumption of survivorship was overcome based on clear and convincing evidence that the decedent had intended to benefit both daughters. The disappointed sister argued on appeal that the lower court erred by considering evidence arising after the account was opened, in violation of the statute. The Superior Court disagreed, holding that under the unique facts of this case, the funds in the joint account belonged to the estate.
Barbara Anisko and Pamela Tobin, of the Commercial Litigation group, obtained a $420,000 settlement for a residential developer whose development project was delayed because of the wrongful actions of Township public officials, the Township Engineer and the Township Code Enforcement Officer.
On behalf of the developer of a 34 lot residential development in Schuylkill Township, this firm sued each of the five members of the Township Board of Supervisors, the Township Engineer and the Township Code Enforcement Officer, in their individual capacities, alleging that they were personally liable for the damages the developer sustained as a result of their tortious actions and the resultant delay which disrupted the completion of the development.
Although the Court of Common Pleas initially dismissed the case on the basis that defendants, as public officials, were immune from personal liability under the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision and Tort Claims Act (“Act”), which decision the Commonwealth Court affirmed, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reversed and ordered the case reinstated. The Supreme Court ruled that the actions as alleged in the Complaint rose to the level of willful misconduct. Under the Act, officials who commit willful misconduct cannot hide behind the shield of immunity. After reinstatement, the parties engaged in discovery and thereafter agreed to mediate the case, resulting in the settlement.