We have received many questions from individuals about how jury trials will be held during the COVID-19 pandemic. These inquiries have been received not just from parties to litigation, but also individuals who have been called for jury duty. Our latest post explains a recent decision to transfer jury selection to the Penn Stater.
MKCLAW.COM
Centre County Transitions Trials to Penn Stater
Say hello to our new website! We have a new look, full of features to help you, our clients and associates, effectively learn about our offerings. We thank everyone who has been involved in this process and look forward to many more years of successfully conveying our message to area residents, businesses, and municipalities.
www.mkclaw.com
Yesterday was a busy day for Supreme Court news, but lost in the shuffle was one of the more remarkable stories we have ever heard about client representation. The case was McGirt v. Oklahoma, and it resulted in much of Oklahoma being recognized as tribal territory. The case began when a public defender whose client had been arrested found an old and long-ignored treaty suggesting that much of Oklahoma was located on tribal lands, thus negating the client's arrest. Practically laughed out of court at all prior stages for merely raising this argument, the defender won in the Supreme Court. This podcast is a fascinating story about the case and its twists and turns. We have had many clients who underwent similar travails, but this story is one of the more remarkable ones.
CROOKED.COM
This Land | Crooked Media
Congratulations to Attorney David S. Gaines and Attorney Michael S. Levandoski who have been named as "Rising Stars" by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. This honor recognizes the top 2.5% of younger lawyers in Pennsylvania. Attorney Gaines previously received the "Rising Star" honor in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Attorney Levandoski also received the honor in 2019.
If you are like us, your vehicles are seeing less mileage right now than usual. This story is from Texas, but we have confirmed that many auto insurers are offering discounts and, in some cases, refunds due to reduced driving. Consider reaching out to your auto insurer to explore this possible money-saving opportunity.
NBCDFW.COM
Top Auto Insurers Offering Consumers Refunds During COVID-19 Crisis
Our team has been closely following the legal changes on the state level this week. We have also been following the federal legislation, but the criminal sanctions governing where, when, and how we can leave our homes and tend to our businesses are extremely important concerns at the moment. Given that we will now be under a stay-at-home order, residents should keep the following information in mind:
First, individuals may only leave their homes for critical needs, such as grocery shopping. The primary exceptions are that you can travel for "tasks essential to maintain health and safety," "getting necessary services or supplies for themselves (i.e., you and your household members)," and "to take care for a family member or pet in another household."
Second, there is a "phew" exception for "engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, or running." This should be good news for the cabin fever crowd. However, you are required to engage in social distancing even if outside. The order does not make clear whether family members are excluded from the social distancing requirement. Do not, though, meet friends at the park or otherwise recreate with others. We think it is probably okay to be present with family members, so long as you are not in a group.
Second, there are **criminal** sanctions for violating these orders, and we have seen reports of arrests in other counties that had this order put in place earlier in the week. There is much debate over whether these orders are appropriate. Debate aside, you must generally stay home. If you cannot, if pressed, easily explain to officials why you are outside, then we suggest not trying to risk matters.
Third, there continues to be an exception for "life sustaining businesses." However, businesses should note that the list of what constitutes a life sustaining business has changed, and the list is getting smaller. ***If you were a life-sustaining business earlier in the week, you may not be one now.*** There continues to be a waiver process, but that process has slowed down, apparently, due to high demand.
Finally, everyone - individuals, life-sustaining businesses, state and local governments and their officials - must engage in social distancing. That is an explicit requirement under the order, meaning, for example, that even if you fall within an exception, you are still required to follow all CDC protocols.
We will continue to stay on top of this situation, but please let us know if you have any questions in the meantime. We are still working, albeit remotely, and can be reached at our respective email addresses or via (814) 234-1500 (State College) and (814) 355-5474 (Bellefonte).
CENTREDAILY.COM
Centre County will be under a stay-at-home order. Here’s what that means
Miller, Kistler & Campbell
January 8 at 11:43 AM ·
Pennsylvania municipalities hold their reorganizational meetings during the first week of January each year. We are proud to announce that, throughout this week, more than forty municipalities retained our firm to act as solicitors for 2021. This is in addition to our many other clients like municipal authorities that reorganize at other times of the year. We are proud of our longtime municipal representation - for many clients, we have provided representation for not just years, but decades - and we are honored to serve so many local communities for 2021. Thank you for this recognition.
Pennsylvania municipalities hold their reorganizational meetings during the first week of January each year. We are proud to announce that, throughout this week, more than forty municipalities retained our firm to act as solicitors for 2021. This is in addition to our many other clients like municipal authorities that reorganize at other times of the year. We are proud of our longtime municipal representation - for many clients, we have provided representation for not just years, but decades - and we are honored to serve so many local communities for 2021. Thank you for this recognition.
Pennsylvania municipalities hold their reorganizational meetings during the first week of January each year. We are proud to announce that, throughout this week, more than forty municipalities retained our firm to act as solicitors for 2021. This is in addition to our many other clients like municipal authorities that reorganize at other times of the year. We are proud of our longtime municipal representation - for many clients, we have provided representation for not just years, but decades - and we are honored to serve so many local communities for 2021. Thank you for this recognition.
We have been tracking important changes to the classification of independent contractors and suggest that all employers using independent contractors explore this new rule.
MKCLAW.COM
Independent Contractor Regulations Tighten
Miller, Kistler & Campbell updated their phone number.
Miller, Kistler & Campbell updated their address.
As we start the new work year, we want to wish all of our clients, colleagues, and affiliates a wonderful and happy new year! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are still operating our offices with minor changes, including that our State College office is closed during the lunch hour. However, all of our operations remain otherwise open, and we are happy to help all of our clients during this time.