By: Matthew J. Lautman, Robert H.C. Ralston, and Samuel H. Simon Earlier this year, Houston Harbaugh wrote on the then-pending Pennsylvania Supreme Court case of Mortimer v. McCool,[1] which presented the question of whether the Court would adopt the “enterprise” or...
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Business Litigation
No-Hire Provision Unenforceable in Pittsburgh Logistics Systems, Inc. v. Beemac Trucking LLC
For the first time in Pennsylvania, the Supreme Court recently took on the issue of whether a no-hire provision (i.e., no-poaching) in a services contract is enforceable under Pennsylvania law. Ultimately, in Pittsburgh Logistics Systems, Inc. v. Beemac Trucking LLC,...
Cybersecurity and Data Breach Response: IR Time and Method is Critical
By: Henry M. Sneath, Shareholder/Director at Houston Harbaugh, P.C. [email protected] and 412-288-4013 Incident Response (IR) time is critical when your business discovers a data breach, cyber intrusion, email intrusion or other cyber security threat. IR time will...
The Rise of Counterfeiting Litigation in Federal Courts
Not surprisingly, with the massive use of Amazon and Alibaba, we are seeing and handling in the courtroom litigation world a lot of actions involving alleged counterfeiting and resultant sales of products on these website marketplaces. These claims involve the...
Forthcoming Pennsylvania Supreme Court Decision Could Vastly Increase the Scope of the “Piercing the Corporate Veil” Doctrine
By: Matthew J. Lautman, Robert H.C. Ralston, and Samuel H. Simon In December 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral argument in Mortimer v. McCool, et al.,[1] which presents the question of whether the Court will adopt the “enterprise” or “single entity”...
Superior Court Further Extends Reach of Negligent Misrepresentation Claims in Pennsylvania
Approximately two years ago, I commented on the Superior Court opinion in Gongloff Contracting, L.L.C. v. L. Robert Kimball & Assoc., No. 785 WDA 2014 (Pa. Super. 2015), which expanded the reach of Pennsylvania's negligent misrepresentation law from applying only...
Are Non-Competes Enforceable in PA Independent Contractor Agreements?
Short Answer: Yes, but as with all non-compete provisions, proceed with caution and draft wisely. Like many states, Pennsylvania has long viewed restrictive covenants such as covenants not to compete with disfavor. Despite its preference against them, non-compete...
What Is the Pennsylvania One Call System?
April is National Safe Digging Month, reminding all contractors and homeowners to call 811 at least three business days before starting a digging project to ensure that all underground utility lines are properly marked and precautions are taken to ensure safety and...
PA Superior Court Holds Service on Franchisee’s Employee Ineffective to Complete Service on Franchisor
In Trexler v. McDonald's Corp., 2015 PA Super 131 (June 3, 2015), the Pennsylvania Superior Court was asked to decide whether a corporate franchisor was properly served with original process where the plaintiff served the franchisee's employee at a restaurant location...
Creditor’s Failure to Allege Condition Precedent in Complaint in Confession of Judgment Cannot Be Cured through Amendment, Says PA Superior Court
Where a creditor files a complaint in confession of judgment but fails to allege the occurrence of a condition precedent, can the defect be cured through amendment in order to prevent exhaustion of the warrant of attorney? The Pennsylvania Superior Court has held...
