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

'Best Lawyers in America' Names 12 Willig, Williams & Davidson Attorneys to 2016 List

We are proud that 12 of our attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2016 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. They include Deborah R. Willig, Alaine S. Williams, Stuart W. Davidson, Nancy B.G. Lassen, Ralph J. Teti, Deborah M. Lerner, Linda M. Martin, Irwin W. Aronson, James S. Beall, Richard G. Poulson, Susan Bahme Blumenfeld, and Amy L. Rosenberger.

Read more about 2016 Best Lawyers...


DOL: Most Workers Are Employees, Not Independent Contractors

This past summer, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a formal interpretation memo regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and, in particular, the issue of the classification of independent contractors. The DOL’s memo is of particular interest because it expands the applicable criteria for determining whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee entitled to the legal protections of the FLSA, including minimum wage, overtime compensation, unemployment compensation, and workers’ compensation.

Read more about Fair Labor Standards...


Coming Soon: Forms Related to ObamaCare's 'Individual Mandate'

One of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act required most Americans to obtain health insurance by 2014 or pay a tax penalty. Referred to as the “individual mandate,” the provision requires insurers and self-insured health plans to report to the participant and to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whether during 2015 individuals had “minimum essential coverage” that would allow them to avoid the individual mandate penalty.

Read more about ObamaCare's 'Individual Mandate'...


Bloomberg Business Cites Willig, Williams & Davidson in Gay Marriage and Workplace Rules Article

A recent news series explored the many ramifications of same-sex marriage law on workplace policies in Pennsylvania, noting research from our firm about the more than 1,000 federal laws in which marriage status is a factor. As a law firm that focuses its practice on employment matters and supports diversity, we were pleased to see the attention being paid to this important issue.

Read more about Bloomberg Business Same-Sex Workplace Rules…



The U.S. Supreme Court determines that Disparate Impact Claims are Valid Under the Fair Housing Act

A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court may impact the way disparate impact claims are handled under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) in the future, with implications for fair housing advocates nationwide. In a 5 - 4 vote, the Supreme Court - like every circuit court in the country - held that disparate impact claims are cognizable under the FHA. While the court's decision is a clear victory for fair housing rights advocates, it also may limit or restrict future FHA disparate impact claims.

Read more about disparate impact claims...


Philadelphia Attorney Michael Dryden Reviews 'Coming and Going' Rule In Workers' Compensation


Our workers’ compensation attorney Michael G. Dryden discusses PA workers’ compensation rules for premises injuries and whether events and parking lot instances are covered. Click here to watch the full video...


Featured Practice Area: Discrimination

Discrimination comes in many forms and may be based on age, gender, race, pregnancy, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, military status or disability. Willig, Williams & Davidson is one of a handful of mid-sized firms in the United States that specializes in negotiation and litigation on behalf of employees who have suffered discrimination at work and who do not have the protection of a union. Read more about Willig, Williams & Davidson's discrimination 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: Ralph J. Teti Elected to College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

Ralph Teti Elected College Fellow

We are proud to announce that partner Ralph J. Teti has been elected as a Fellow in Labor to the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. This is the highest recognition by one's colleagues of sustained, outstanding performance in the profession, exemplifying integrity, dedication and excellence. Teti is the only union-side lawyer from the Philadelphia region to have been elected to the College this term. Read more about Ralph J. Teti Elected Fellow...

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:

Firm Welcomes Three New Attorneys
As a longtime labor, employment and workers' compensation firm, Willig, Williams & Davidson puts great value on continually growing our union-side team of legal counselors. Two new attorneys have joined our firm recently, bringing with them talent, enthusiasm and the dedication to fighting for the rights of working people that is at the heart of everything we do. Learn more about our new labor and employment attorneys, Lauren Frankel and Alidz Oshagan.

PA Supreme Court Selects Irwin W. Aronson to Chair IOLTA Board
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has appointed partner Irwin W. Aronson, of Willig, Williams & Davidson's Harrisburg office, to chair the Pennsylvania Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts Board beginning Sept. 1, 2015. Pennsylvania's IOLTA program raises millions of dollars to help provide legal services to the poor and disadvantaged.

Employment Discrimination Case of Employee with Criminal History Settles
Marc Kitchens of Cherry Hill, NJ, successfully settled a discrimination case against his former employer with support from the Public Interest Law Center, Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, and lead attorney on the case, Ryan A. Hancock of counsel at Willig, Williams & Davidson.

The Rick Smith Show Talks School Districts and State Budgets With Irwin W. Aronson
Labor attorney Irwin W. Aronson discusses the Pennsylvania state budget and cuts affecting school districts on The Rick Smith Show.

Public Interest Law Center Honors Ryan A. Hancock for Pro Bono Work
We are pleased to announce that the Public Interest Law Center in Philadelphia has honored of counsel attorney and chair of the firm's Employment Law group, Ryan A. Hancock, as the August 2015 "Pro-Bono Partner of the Month."

Employment Attorneys Wendy Pongracz and Ryan Hancock Discuss Recent LGBT Rulings in Harrisburg
Attorneys Louise "Wendy" Pongracz and Ryan Allen Hancock discussed recent LGBT work policies, legal protections, and recent same-sex marriage rulings at the Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs conference in Harrisburg, PA.

Bloomberg BNA Speaks With Ryan A. Hancock for Labor & Employment Legal Webinar
On Sept. 17, 2015, Ryan Allen Hancock presented as part of the Bloomberg BNA Labor & Employment Legal Webinar on intern wage matters and criminal and credit-based background checks.

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.