News and Insights

INSIGHTS  |  ARTICLE  |  02.24.2021

Who has priority rights to construction funds when a player on the project goes belly up?

Cash flow on a project is the oil that keeps the machine running. Unfortunately, sometimes one of the players on the project — an owner, higher-tiered contractor or subcontractor —...

INSIGHTS  |  ARTICLE  |  02.23.2021

Pa. Alcohol Industry: Old Tools, New Laws During COVID-19

Although online shopping and delivery had already been the norm for many households, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated e-commerce and dramatically changed the way many consumers purchase their goods and...

INSIGHTS  |  ARTICLE  |  01.29.2021

Criminal charges for Act 72 construction workplace misclassification violations

Pennsylvania recently made national headlines for seeking criminal charges against a York County drywaller for an alleged violation of Act 72, the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act. This will be the...

INSIGHTS  |  ARTICLE  |  11.10.2020

Construction contracts – whether to use standard or custom forms

A lot of contractors, subcontractors, developers, and design professionals often ask: Do I need my own custom contract forms, or is a standard form sufficient?  As is often the case...

INSIGHTS  |  ARTICLE  |  10.19.2020

PA Funeral Board to determine which criminal convictions disqualify someone from being a funeral director – implications for applicants and employers

The Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors will soon consider which criminal convictions create a presumption that an individual should be denied a funeral director’s license. Historically, an applicant for...

INSIGHTS  |  ARTICLE  |  09.10.2020

Gimme Shelter: Force majeure clauses in the new world of pandemics, riots and natural disasters

Prior to 2020, minimal thought was given to force majeure clauses during contract negotiation. Typically, these clauses protect contracting parties from natural disasters, like earthquakes, fires, and floods, that could...

INSIGHTS  |  ARTICLE  |  08.07.2020

Another look at the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act

Home renovation projects have become more expensive in recent years. According to The Home Depot, the average price for a minor kitchen renovation is $20,800; a major kitchen renovation averages...

INSIGHTS  |  ARTICLE  |  08.06.2020

Reducing a bottleneck — change in PA Liquor Code allows beer and wine purchases at more checkouts

If you have spent much time in a grocery store that sells beer or wine, you have no doubt witnessed two major complaints from customers – especially those from out-of-state...

INSIGHTS  |  ARTICLE  |  06.16.2020

Construction project losses related to COVID-19 – Jeff Bright explains claims in ABC Keystone

Saxton & Stump attorney Jeffrey C. Bright recently published “Types of Claims that May Arise from Construction Project Losses Related to COVID-19” in the June 2020 issue of The Merit...

INSIGHTS  |  ARTICLE  |  06.08.2020

Last call for comments on the FTC’s review of the funeral rule

Death care professionals have one week remaining to submit comments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding its review of the Funeral Industry Practices Rule. Perhaps overshadowed by the COVID-19...