Willig, Williams & Davidson
April 2015                Main Office: Philadelphia, PA (215) 656-3600                Toll Free: (800) 631-1233
News from Willig, Williams & Davidson

Pennsylvania to Conduct Historic Judicial Elections in 2015

In 2015, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will hold statewide judicial elections that will have a long-lasting impact on all Pennsylvanians, and it is imperative that everyone vote. For the first time in the 243-year history of Pennsylvania's Supreme Court, the Commonwealth will conduct elections to fill three vacancies on the seven-member court. Pennsylvania's primary election is May 19, 2015, with the polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Read more about Judicial Elections in 2015…


Supreme Court Victory for PA Healthcare Workers and the Public

On Nov. 20, 2014, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in a 5 to 1 decision, issued a decision in a lawsuit filed by Willig, Williams & Davidson partner Bruce M. Ludwig on behalf of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, a number of individual nurses, and various state senators and representatives. The lawsuit challenged the Corbett Administration’s ill-conceived plan to close 26 State Health Centers and eliminate 26 public health nurse positions.

These Centers and nurses guard against the spread of tuberculosis and other communicable diseases, educate the public on the risks of lead poisoning and provide other essential health services in the 60 counties in Pennsylvania which do not have their own health department.

Read more about the Supreme Court victory...


Child Custody and Relocation - Don't Move Until You Read This

Child CustodyPeople choose to relocate for a variety of reasons, such as a new job, a remarriage or even the desire to reside in a different climate. In the United States, we take it for granted that an adult is free to relocate throughout the country without the approval of the court or of a governmental agency. However, when a parent involved in a child custody matter wishes to relocate with their children to another state or even within the same state, they may be required to receive permission from the other parent and/or the Family Court.

Read more about child custody and relocation...


Illinois Governor Issues Executive Order Threatening Refusal to Comply with Fair Share Fee Law

On Feb. 9, 2015, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an Executive Order directing the Illinois Department of Central Management Services and all other state agencies to violate state law as well as the state's contractual obligations by refusing to turn over fair share fees withheld from the pay of bargaining unit employees who are not dues-paying members of the unions that represent them.

Read more about the executive order threatening refusal to comply with fair share fee law...


Domestic Relations in the New Era of Marriage Equality

Domestic RelationsThe year 2014 will be remembered as a watershed year for same-sex couples in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In May 2014, U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones, III, issued a decision in the case of Whitewood v. Wolf, striking down as unconstitutional Pennsylvania's Defense of Marriage Act. This landmark decision directed the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to allow same-sex couples to marry and to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. Pennsylvania's recognition of marriage equality for same-sex couples is a wonderful, long-overdue development in the law. But as with any other legal evolution, there are sure to be bumps in the road moving forward.

Read more about the new era of marriage equality...


What is Probate (and Do I Have to Do it)?

Probate is the procedure by which an estate is opened when a person passes away. In Pennsylvania, when a person passes away, it is necessary for the executor or next of kin to analyze the assets that were owned by the decedent in order to determine whether it is necessary to probate and open an estate. It is not always necessary to open an estate. The mere fact that a person has a will does not necessarily mean that the will must be probated and an estate opened.

Read more about probate procedures...


Attorney Marianne Henry Saylor Discusses Stress in the Workplace and Workers' Compensation

Attorney Insights Video
Would the stress of working for an overbearing, unreasonable boss be covered by workers' compensation in Pennsylvania? Our workers' comp attorney Marianne Henry Saylor answers this question and others about stress and its application to Pennsylvania workers' compensation cases. Click here to watch the full video...


Featured Practice Area: Employment Law

Today's tight economy can put workers in difficult positions, but employment law protections apply to all workers. Willig, Williams & Davidson is one of a handful of law firms in the United States specializing in negotiation and litigation on behalf of employees.

The field of employment law is a highly specialized area fraught with legal minefields which, if not avoided, can result in employees losing their rights without ever reaching the courthouse door. In an employment dispute, workers are often pitted against companies that have substantial resources to commit to defending against employee claims. Read more about the firm's employment law practice here...


Workers' Compensation Q&A – Did You Know?

Our firm often answers questions about workers' compensation. Here are some of the most frequently asked:


Special Announcement: Willig, Williams & Davidson Wins Major Victory for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) attorneys from Willig, Williams & Davidson defeated the School Reform Commission's attempt to unilaterally cancel their Union contract. In January, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled that the School District of Philadelphia lacked the authority to cancel the PFT's contract when the School Reform Commission voted last fall to do so and to impose new health care terms on union members. Read more about the major victory for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers...

Philly VIP Again Honors Willig, Williams & Davidson with Brennan Award

Philadelphia volunteers
Willig, Williams & Davidson recently was honored by Philadelphia VIP (Volunteers for the Indigent Program) with its William J. Brennan Award in recognition of the firm's outstanding commitment to the provision of pro bono legal services. Providing legal counsel to those in need but who are unable to pay is a cornerstone of the firm's commitment to advocating for working men and women. Read more about the William J. Brennan Award...

Attorney Happenings and Headlines

Willig, Williams & Davidson attorneys are very active in the community and often serve on boards, speak at industry events, and make news headlines. Here are some of the firm's latest goings on:

Associate Lauren M. Hoye Serves as Panelist for Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown's Brown Bag Lunch Series
Willig, Williams & Davidson associate, Lauren M. Hoye, served as a panelist for Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown's Brown Bag Lunch Series, a leadership and development program for Philadelphia's Next Generation of Women Leaders.

Partner Stuart Davidson Helps 6000 UPS Teamsters Ratify Strong 5-Year Contract
Willig Williams & Davidson partner, Stuart W. Davidson, represented UPS management and the Local 710 negotiating committee, chaired by Joint Council 25 President, John T. Coli, to approve a new five-year contract that provides improved wages and benefits for UPS employees in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana.

Partner Nancy B.G. Lassen to Discuss 'Ethics for Arbitrators and Advocates'
Willig, Williams & Davidson partner Nancy B. G. Lassen will participate in a panel discussion called "Ethics for Arbitrators and Advocates," during the 36th annual FMCS Arbitration Symposium.

Partner Irwin W. Aronson Helps PAHRA Calibrate its 'Moral Compass'
Partner Irwin W. Aronson recently spoke at the annual Capitol Conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies (PAHRA).

Ryan Hancock Quoted in Bloomberg BNA on Laws Limiting Private Sector Employers' Use of Criminal History Information
Ryan A. Hancock, of counsel and chair of the Employment Law Department of Willig, Williams & Davidson, was quoted in Bloomberg BNA's Daily Labor Report on the push to remove questions from job applications about whether a prospective employee has a criminal record.

Copyright © 2015 Willig, Williams & Davidson.

Willig, Williams & Davidson is one of the largest and most respected union-side labor law firms in the United States with offices in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Jenkintown and Media, Pa., as well as Haddonfield, N.J. The firm's accomplished and diverse legal team focuses on representing labor unions, employee benefit funds and individual working people and their families. Its attorneys work with clients to find practical and efficient solutions to the problems that they face in a variety of legal forums, including national, regional and local contract negotiations and dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration and court litigation. The materials contained in this correspondence have been authored or gathered by Willig, Williams & Davidson for informational purposes only. This correspondence is not intended to be and is not considered to be legal advice. Transmission of this document is not intended to create, and receipt does not establish, an attorney-client relationship. Legal advice of any nature should be sought from legal counsel. In some states, this correspondence may be considered attorney advertising.