HARRISBURG — Following a steady decline in the statewide number of new protection from abuse (PFA) filings, Pennsylvania has seen a 5 percent increase in PFA filings from 2014 to 2017. A PFA is a civil order that helps protect victims of domestic violence, providing relief from abuse by an intimate partner, dating partner or family member. The infographic highlights 2017 PFA data including the statewide number of PFAs filed, the top 10 counties with the highest number of PFA filings and the percentages of PFA case outcomes. A high-resolution file of the graphic is available for download at www.pacourts.us

Melissa Boyd (Norristown, PA), a family law Partner at High Swartz, recently moderated a panel at the annual Montgomery County Commission on Women and Families (MCCWF) Awareness Event, an event focused on discrimination against women. The MCCWF—created by the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners—is a diverse group of women volunteers who serve Montgomery County communities and help aspiring women achieve their educational goals. Their mission is to foster leadership, provide awareness of existing services, promote the development of resources, and advocate equal access to such resources in order to enhance the lives of women and families. Each year, an event

Doylestown, PA – Michael E. Peters, Esq. will deliver remarks to the Pennsylvania State Tax Collectors’ Association’s (PSTCA) Annual Conference on October 19, 2018, in York, Pennsylvania. Mr. Peters’ remarks will address current issues facing tax collectors throughout the Commonwealth, and provide an update on pending tax collector lawsuits.  Mr. Peters serves as general counsel to the PSTCA and frequently advises the association’s members on matters relating to real estate tax collection. In addition to his efforts litigating cases on behalf of tax collectors across the Commonwealth, Mr. Peters represents municipalities in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, as well as private

The Mark E. Goldberg Award The Mark E. Goldberg Award is presented to a member of the Bucks County Bar Association, including honorary members, demonstrating a continuing commitment to community service outside the legal profession. The eligible candidate shall perpetuate personal relationships established with leaders of the religious, academic, recreational and charitable segments of the Bucks County community by: Proven legal competence; Honor; Trust; Service; and Respect for the rule of law and the administration of justice.  To nominate someone for this award, please send a letter outlining your reasons for nominating this person to the attention of Greg Nardi at BCBA 135 E. State

Blue Bell and Doylestown, PA – Eastburn and Gray shareholders Marc D. Jonas, John A. VanLuvanee, Kellie A. McGowan, and Mark S. Cappuccio have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Marc Jonas was previously named The Best Lawyers in America® 2018 Lawyer of the Year for Litigation in Land Use and Zoning Law in the Philadelphia area. This accolade followed Mr. Jonas’ recognition in the 2017 edition as the Lawyer of the Year for Land Use and Zoning

Philadelphia, PA, October 9, 2018– Judge Joel H. Slomsky of the United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced that he will take senior status effective October 9, 2018.  Judge Slomsky has served on the court since 2008.  Judge Slomsky was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the United States Senate on September 26, 2008.  Prior to his taking the seat in the District Court, Judge Slomsky was in private law practice.  He served as a Special Attorney of the Criminal Division, Philadelphia Strike Force, United States Department of Justice, from 1971 to 1973. Judge Slomsky

Norristown, PA, October 8, 2018– High Swartz attorney Mary R. LaSota recently presented “Pitfalls to Avoid in Estate Planning” to the Women’s Junior League of Philadelphia.  Some top pitfalls people tend to make when planning their estate include:  beneficiary blunders, naming specific assets in their Wills, naming the wrong person to act as your agent, hiring the wrong attorney to write your estate plan, leaving assets to minors, not planning for the death of a beneficiary, or failing to plan at all.  Each of these pitfalls will be discussed along with additional ones to avoid. With more than 10 years’

On October 4, 2018, at the Joseph Ambler Inn in North Wales, PA, the Intellectual Property Law Sections of the Bucks County and Montgomery Bar Associations hosted Judges Mitchell S. Goldberg and Mark A. Kearney of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to discuss their perspectives on patent infringement litigation.  In this second annual event, the judges, along with panel members Patricia S. Rogowski, Esq. of Rogowski Law and Robert S. Silver, Esq. of Caesar Rivise, PC spent the evening providing insights, anecdotes, and practice tips on unique issues that arise during patent infringement litigation, including recent

The WRITS is the official publication of the Bucks County Bar Association. It focuses on national, state and local matters that affect the practice of law within Bucks County, and activities of the Association and members that contribute to the welfare of Bucks County communities. The WRITS is published quarterly and is mailed directly to 1,000 attorneys in Bucks County, more than 1,500 physician, dentist and beauty salon reception areas and more than 1,000 community business leaders and owners throughout Bucks County, PA. For advertising information, contact Alicia at alicia@hoffpubs.com or 610-685-0914 x 210 Also, check out Member PROfiles – exclusive BCBA

Doylestown, PA – Grace M. Deon, Esq. will speak at PBI’s 2018 Exceptional Children Conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on October 8, 2018. The seminar will cover current ethics topics including conflicts, government and individual interests, and how the rules of ethics impact the special education practitioner. Ms. Deon is a shareholder and member of Eastburn and Gray’s management committee. Her practice focuses on Employment, Commercial and Special Education litigation. She has more than 20 years of special education law experience. Much of her work consists of trying cases on behalf of school districts and employers before state and federal courts