Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP

On Wednesday, November 6, partner Timothy Hazel will be presenting a real estate licensee/ NAR ethics internal CLE course to realtors specializing in commercial real estate. This course is tailored to equip you with insights into: the aspirational concepts in the Preamble of the Code of Ethics, the concept of general business ethics and how it compares and contrasts with the duties in the REALTORS® Code of Ethics and how professional standards are enforced by associations of REALTORS®.   Contact Tim today to discuss hosting a presentation for your realtors: https://lnkd.in/dPfA5TXJ

This week, Pietragallo partner Carla Donnelly was a speaker for “Nightmare on Ross Street: The Haunting Effects of Dysfunctional Families” a CLE presented by the Allegheny County Bar Association Family Law Section. The program dove into the intersection of psychology and family court issues, focusing on better understanding how family’s function, the difference between psychological disorders and traits, court-involved therapy, insurance concerns and what types of therapy are right for each family.   Learning to understand why your family operates certain ways and how to fix it is the most important aspect. Contact Carla to learn more about navigating complex family dynamics and how to address these challenges in a legal setting: https://lnkd.in/ezYcitYv

Pietragallo Partner Pamela Coyle Brecht, Esq. recently authored “The False Claims Act Whistleblower’s Private Claims and Early Resolution” in the Fall 2024 edition of the Federal Bar Association’s The Federal Lawyer.   Her article discusses how in recent years, whistleblowers' private claims have led to significant recoveries, sometimes exceeding the typical relator's share of under $750,000 awarded from government settlements. The rise of sophisticated, highly-compensated corporate insiders as whistleblowers, along with creative legal strategies that combine federal and state protections, has expanded the potential for substantial damages, making it crucial for defendants to treat these claims seriously rather than as an afterthought to DOJ settlements.   Read Pam’s full article from The Federal Lawyer here: https://lnkd.in/eegp5y6J

We are thrilled to announce the addition of three new associates to the firm: Tatyanah Brehouse, Cateri Christinis, and Sydney Croft! Tatyanah has joined our Philadelphia office as a member of the Employment & Labor team. In our Pittsburgh office, we welcome Cat to the Commercial Litigation team, and Sydney, a member of the Commercial Litigation, Employment & Labor, Employee Benefits, Compliance & Litigation, Wealth Preservation & Succession Planning, and Professional Liability teams. Join us in welcoming Tatyanah, Cat, and Sydney: https://lnkd.in/er9NEAEP

We are pleased to announce the election of Rebecca Johnson Barksdale, Alex Owens, and Mark Sottile to new partners of the firm. Their dedication, expertise, and commitment to client success have been invaluable. We look forward to their continued leadership and success. Congratulations! https://lnkd.in/evMveTfF

Mediation is a resolution technique widely used at various levels of complex multi-faceted False Claims Act cases, and it can be effective at times. The complex nature of the relationship among Federal and State governments, relators and defendants, and their counsel, can make these cases difficult to resolve. It is not uncommon to be subjected to multiple time and resource consuming mediation sessions before getting a successful outcome.   With over 35 years of intense litigation experience, partner Marc Raspanti, knows that success at the mediation table can be improved if certain key variables are acknowledged by all parties. An effective and well-focused mediation process can save courts, prosecutors, relators, defendants, and their counsel, time, money, and resources.   Read more about Marc’s key variables to enhance mediation success here: https://lnkd.in/eveWeP34

In our latest blog, we explore the recent Supreme Court decision in Corner Post, Inc. v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and its potential implications for sentencing. Corner Post opens the door for defendants to challenge Sentencing Guidelines under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). The Supreme Court held that APA challenges may be brought within six years from the time the plaintiff is injured by final agency action. Sentencing. This decision adds a new layer of strategy for defense counsel, offering possible relief for clients sentenced under Guidelines that failed to comply with the APA's notice and comment provisions. Read more on the future of APA challenges to the federal sentencing guidelines:https://lnkd.in/eEkBqJCH

Thank you to our partner, Douglas Rosenblum, for participating in three charity cycling events this summer, as he has done for many years. These rides supported the following worthwhile causes: The American Cancer Society, Families Behind the Badge (for the benefit of the families of fallen first responders), and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In total, this year’s rides covered 205 miles and all riders combined to raise more than $6 million!

On October 8th, partner Pamela Coyle Brecht, Esq. will be returning to Seton Hall Law School’s Healthcare Compliance Training Program to present “The False Claims Act and Dealing with Whistleblowers.”   Pam’s panel will take place on the second day of this four-day program, with her panel focusing on relators, whistleblowers, coverage of the False Claims Act and the federal False Claims Act as it pertains to the healthcare industry. This virtual program will cover statutes, regulations, and other guidance that encompass the body of law known as fraud and abuse law with feature presentations on the False Claims Act; Anti-Kickback statute; Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and Advertising & Promotion.  Interested in attending? Register here: https://lnkd.in/eNQMciep

In any divorce and custody case, the testimony of the parties is imperative. In attorney Robert Weinberg’s experience, he says that judges typically want to hear from the parties themselves to assess their credibility and get to the central issues in any given case. While certain documents can be important to a case, he finds they can’t replace the weight of a quality testimony.   Read more about Rob’s take on evidence in divorce and custody cases here: https://lnkd.in/e8B2ddr3