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Jason Edwards obtained summary judgment resulting in the dismissal with prejudice of all claims in a Bucks County lawsuit against a local automotive dealership.
Plaintiff alleged that Jason’s client sold her a defective vehicle that had a hollowed out catalytic convertor which caused the engine of the vehicle to catch fire in October 2019. Plaintiff’s claims against Jason’s client included a claim under the PA Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. Plaintiff alleged that a representative from Jason’s client told her the vehicle was in good condition, inspected, and road worthy when she purchased the vehicle. Plaintiff sought treble damages and attorneys’ fees.
Jason litigated this matter over several years and investigated Plaintiff’s allegations extensively. Jason uncovered through discovery and his investigation that the Plaintiff purchased the vehicle in March 2018 and her vehicle caught fire in October 2019. At the time of the fire, the vehicle had over one hundred thousand miles, and had been inspected and repaired numerous times. In fact, the catalytic convertor Plaintiff alleged was hollowed out had been replaced numerous times by other entities (not Jason’s client) prior to the engine fire in October 2019. Additionally, through discovery it was determined that Plaintiff did not have any evidence to actually establish what caused the engine fire.
Jason filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on behalf of the local automotive dealership and argued that the record contained insufficient evidence to make out a prima facie cause of action against Jason’s client. The Court agreed with Jason’s arguments and dismissed all claims against Jason’s client. Plaintiff did not appeal the Court’s ruling.
Jason Edwards obtained dismissal of two Complaints in Montgomery County on behalf of two clients following the filing of preliminary objections.
The first case arose from a three-vehicle accident in Montgomery County. Plaintiff was a passenger in an Uber. Jason’s client’s vehicle was rear ended by the vehicle directly behind it and pushed into the vehicle Plaintiff was a passenger in. Plaintiff alleged severe injuries as a result of the accident. On behalf of the client, Jason filed preliminary objections seeking dismissal of the Complaint due to the fact that Jason’s client was never served as required under Pennsylvania law. The Court agreed with Jason’s arguments and dismissed Plaintiff’s Complaint with prejudice.
The second case also arose from a motor vehicle accident in Montgomery County in October 2020. Plaintiff alleged the Jason’s client failed to stop at a stop sign causing the accident. Plaintiff alleged sever injuries as a result of the accident. On behalf of the client, Jason filed preliminary objections seeking dismissal of the Complaint due to Plaintiff’s complete failure to serve Jason’s client as required under Pennsylvania law. The Court agreed with Jason’s argument and dismissed Plaintiff’s Complaint with prejudice.
Jason Edwards obtained summary judgment resulting in a complete dismissal of all claims, including cross claims with prejudice against a local concrete contractor in Lehigh County following years of litigation.
The Plaintiffs commenced their lawsuit in Lehigh County in August of 2019 against the General Contractor and Architect they hired to construct a new home for them in mid-2012. Construction on the house was completed in early 2013. Plaintiffs alleged that they experienced numerous incidents and events of water intrusion since 2013.
Plaintiffs brought numerous claims against the General Contractor and Architect including breach of contract. The General Contractor joined 14 subcontractors into the lawsuit including Jason’s client, a concrete contractor. The General Contractor’s claims against Jason’s client were for breach of contract/warranty, negligence, and contribution/indemnification.
Jason litigated this matter over several years. Jason extensively investigated the claims of Plaintiffs and the General Contractor. Through his investigation, and with the assistance of a liability expert, Jason was able to establish that his client’s work did not cause any of the water intrusion issues alleged by the Plaintiffs in this case. The deposition testimony of the General Contractor, Plaintiffs, and the individual retained by the Plaintiffs to repair the defects assisted in establishing the defenses. The admissions of both Plaintiffs and the General Contractor during discovery also assisted in establishing the defenses.
Jason filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on behalf of the client and argued that the General Contractor failed to establish prima facie causes of actions of negligence, breach of contract/warranty, and contribution against his client.
Following oral argument, the Court agreed with Jason’s arguments and granted the Motion for Summary Judgment dismissing with prejudice all claims against the client.
Jason Edwards obtained a defense verdict following an arbitration in Montgomery County. The case arose from a motor vehicle accident on November 30, 2020. The Plaintiff in the case alleged severe and permanent injuries to her neck, arm, wrist, and back following an accident in which her vehicle was struck by Jason’s client who failed to stop at a red light which controlled the intersection. Jason used Plaintiff’s own medical records and admissions during discovery to effectively cross examine the Plaintiff during the arbitration and argued that her injuries did not amount to a serious bodily injury. The arbitration panel returned a verdict in favor of Jason’s client and found that no serious injury requiring compensation had occurred. Judgment has been entered against the Plaintiff in favor of Jason’s client, and no appeals have been filed.
On January 5, 2024, Walsh Pancio attorneys were once again proud to participate in the Montgomery Bar Association Annual Business Luncheon, which took place at the Blue Bell Country Club in Blue Bell, PA.
The firm congratulates Immediate Past President Justin Bayer on a tremendous year leading the MBA. The firm also congratulates newly installed President Lisa A. Shearman, Esq. of Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin, P.C.
We look forward to a terrific year under her leadership.
Founding Partner, The Honorable Joseph P. Walsh was installed as the Treasurer of the MBA and will serve alongside MBA President Shearman, President-Elect Seth D. Wilson, Vice President Colin J. O’Boyle, Secretary Mary Kay Kelm, and Executive Director Denise Vicario. He will also continue his role as Co-Chair of the MBA’s influential Government Relations Committee which addresses governmental relations between the MBA and Montgomery County officials, local municipal officials, state and federal officials in the legislative and executive branches.
Founding Partner, and Past MBA President Bruce Pancio will serve as Co-Chair of the Council of Past Presidents. The Counsel of Past Presidents Committee acts as the sounding board regarding new projects initiated by Bar Leaders and provides insight and advice on various association issues. Bruce will continue to serve on numerous MBA committees.
Attorney Mike Lyon will serve as Vice President of the Trial Lawyers Section. He will continue to serve as Chair of the Fee Dispute Committee and to serve on numerous MBA committees.
Attorney Chelsea L. Dearden will continue to serve as Co-Chair of the Women in the Law Committee and will continue to serve on numerous MBA committees.
Attorney Jason Edwards has ended his term as President of the Young Lawyers Section as of January 5, 2024. He will remain Co-Chair of the Membership/Development Committee and will serve as Secretary of the Law Reporter Committee. In addition to his leadership roles, Jason will continue to serve on numerous MBA committees.
All the firm’s attorneys will remain active members of the MBA’s Trial Lawyers Section.
The firm is grateful for these opportunities to serve the MBA and looks forward to a terrific year.
On January 12, 2023, Walsh Pancio attorneys were once again proud to participate in the Montgomery Bar Association (“MBA“) Annual Business Luncheon, which took place at The Country House at Bluestone Country Club in Blue Bell, PA.
The firm congratulates Immediate Past President Sarinia M. Fenman on a tremendous year in charge of the MBA. The firm also congratulates newly installed President Justin Bayer on his position and looks forward to a terrific year under his direction.
The firm is proud to announce that its Founding Partner The Honorable Joseph P. Walsh was installed as the Secretary of the MBA and will serve alongside MBA President Bayer, President-Elect Lisa Shearman, Vice President Seth Wilson, Treasurer Colin O’Boyle, and Executive Director Denise Vicario. He will continue his role as Chair of the MBA’s influential Government Relations Committee.
Founding Partner and Past MBA President Bruce Pancio will continue to serve as Co-Chair of the Council of Past Presidents and will continue to serve on numerous MBA committees including the Bench Bar Committee, Judiciary Committee, Managing Partners Committee, Membership/Development Committee, and Rules of Civil Court Committee.
Attorney Mike Lyon will serve as Chair of the Law Reporter Committee and Treasurer of the Trial Lawyers Section and will continue to serve on numerous MBA committees including the Bench Bar Committee, Federal Court Practice Committee, Fee Dispute Committee, Judiciary Committee, and the Rules of Civil Court Committee.
Attorney Chelsea Dearden will serve as Co-Chair of the esteemed Women in the Law Committee and will Chair the Social Committee of the Young Lawyers Section. In addition to her leadership rules, she will continue to serve on numerous MBA committees.
Attorney Jason Edwards will serve as Chair of the Young Lawyers Section and Co-Chair of the Membership/Development Committee. In addition to his leadership rules, he will continue to serve on numerous MBA committees.
All the firm’s attorneys will remain active members of the MBA’s Trial Lawyers Section.
The firm is grateful for these opportunities to serve the MBA and looks forward to a terrific year.
Walsh Pancio Attorney Jason Edwards obtained summary judgment resulting in the dismissal with prejudice of a negligence suit in Berks County against a local commercial property owner.
Plaintiff’s negligence claims against the local commercial property owner arose from an alleged slip and fall on the hills and ridges of the uncleared, unshovelled, unremediated, and concealed ice in February 2019 on a sidewalk adjacent to the apartment complex owned by the local commercial property owner where she lived. Plaintiff sought extensive damages for her injuries.
Jason litigated this matter over several years. Jason extensively investigated Plaintiff’s claims against the local commercial property owner and established that that was no evidence to establish Plaintiff’s claims against the local commercial property owner. In fact, Plaintiff’s own deposition testimony assisted in establishing a defense under the Pennsylvania “hills and ridges” doctrine.
Jason filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on behalf of the client and argued that the local commercial property owner was not liable for Plaintiff’s injuries under the Pennsylvania “hills and ridges” doctrine which provides that, unless snow or ice has accumulated in ridges or elevations of such size and character as to unreasonably obstruct travel and constitute a danger to pedestrians, the property owner has no duty to remove the ice or snow.
Following oral argument in September 2022, the Court agreed with Jason’s arguments and granted the Motion for Summary Judgment dismissing with prejudice all claims against the client.
Walsh Pancio Attorney Jason Edwards was recently published in the Montgomery Bar Association Sidebar Summer 2022 Issue. As a recent graduate of the Montgomery Bar Association’s 2021 Leadership Academy, Jason had the opportunity to have a conversation with Montgomery Bar Association President Sarinia M. Feinman, Esquire about her focus on wellness and the bar association’s wellness initiatives.
On January 8, 2021, Walsh Pancio attorneys were once again proud to participate in the Montgomery Bar Association‘s (“MBA”) Annual Business Luncheon, which was held virtually for the first time. The firm congratulates Immediate Past President Patrick Kurtas on a tremendous year in charge of the MBA. The firm also congratulates newly installed President Jacqueline Reynolds on her position, and looks forward to a terrific year under President Reynolds’ direction.
Continuing the firm’s dedication to and strong relationship with the MBA, Walsh Pancio attorneys are privileged and honored to serve in multiple leadership capacities and on several committees and sections within the organization:
– The Honorable Joseph P Walsh, past President of the MBA’s Trial Lawyers’ Section, has been re-named as co-chair of the MBA’s influential Government Relations Committee, and will again serve on the MBA’s Pro Bono Committee and Government Relations Committee.
– Past MBA President Bruce Pancio will serve as Vice Chair of the Council of Past Presidents, and has also been re-named to the Nominating Committee, Bench Bar Committee and Managing Partners Committee. He will also continue serving on the MBA’s important Judiciary Committee.
– Past Young Lawyers’ Section chair Mike Lyon will continue his second year of a three-year term on as a Director on the MBA’s Board of Directors. He was also -appointed as a member of the MBA’s Executive Committee, Law Reporter Committee, and Fee Dispute Committee.
– Chelsea Dearden was selected for the MBA’s prestigious Leadership Academy. She was also re-appointed to the Steering Committee of the MBA’s Women in the Law Committee and will serve as a liaison within the Young Lawyers Section.
– Jason Edwards will join Chelsea as a member of this year’s Leadership Academy. He will also serve again on the MBA’s Solo and Small Firm and Criminal Defense Committees, and as a liaison within the Young Lawyers’ Section.
The firm’s attorneys also will remain active members of the MBA’s Trial Lawyers’ Section.
The firm is grateful for these opportunities to serve the MBA. and looks forward to a terrific year.
On March 16, 2020, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania declared a statewide judicial emergency on account of COVID-19. Two days later, on March 18, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf announced that all but “life-sustaining” businesses in Pennsylvania must shut down immediately.
In response, the Supreme Court directed that all courts are generally closed to the public (except for emergencies) subject to general and specific directives and exceptions. The Court extended the judicial emergency and closure of the courts first through April 30th, and later through June 1, 2020. There is no indication at this time that the closures of the courts will be extended by the Supreme Court after June 1st.
It is now left to the local courts to determine when and how to open to the public while simultaneously safeguarding the health and safety of court personnel, court users, and members of the public in light of the risks posed by the COVID-19 virus. Many local courts will begin to open on June 1, 2020.
While the physical office of Walsh Pancio closed its doors on March 19, 2020, the attorneys and staff were able to easily transition to working remotely. The attorneys immediately reviewed their calendars and began to reschedule previous in-person depositions as virtual depositions. We continued to conduct discovery, and file pleadings and motions. We also continued to conduct mediations, arbitrations, and settlement conferences remotely. We were prepared for a situation like this and stepped up when the time arrived. Throughout the statewide shutdown we continuously keep our clients informed and updated.
We wanted to take advantage of not having to be in court so that when the courts to open, we are ready to hit the ground running and serve our clients. Importantly, the attorneys at Walsh Pancio have continued to educate themselves on COVID-19 and the impact it will have on the legal community and the clients we serve. We took part in CLEs and even hosted our own CLE on the closing of courts and the statewide shutdown. We are more prepared than ever to serve our clients. If you need legal services, we are available to assist you – no matter the issue.
The attorneys at Walsh Pancio have been following the developments as the local courts plan to reopen to better serve our clients. We compiled the “need-to-know” and the “interesting” so you are better able to inform your clients what to expect.
What should attorneys and general court users expect beginning June 1, 2020?
By Order dated May 14, 2020, President Judge Thomas G. Parisi extended the judicial emergency to at least June 1, 2020. On June 1st, the Common Pleas and MDJ Courts will be reopened to the public.
President Judge Parisi postponed all jury trials until at least June 15, 2020. However, the court has begun to mail out jury summonses to potential jurors for upcoming trial dates. The summonses will contain designated reporting dates beginning June 15, 2020. These summonses are mailed in anticipation of the court’s ability to safely resume jury trials. This should not be taken as a guarantee.
If you are summoned for jury trial, check the court’s website frequently, and contact jury services to confirm that you are still required to appear. If you are an attorney, stay in constant contact with the assigned judge’s chambers and your client.
Anyone entering the courthouse must wear a mask or they will be denied entrance. Expect the enforcement of “social distancing” throughout the courthouse. For example, the number of people permitted on an elevator or in a hallway could be limited. Make sure to give yourself extra time to enter the courthouse with these new safety precautions in place.
Beginning June 1st, the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Judges (MDJ) courts will be open during normal business hours to conduct business.
Anyone who enters the courthouse or MDJ shall wear protective face masks upon entry, and shall continue to do so in all public or common areas of the courthouse. Patrons also must maintain social distancing and comply with all safety directives issued by the court.
According to the Bucks County entry protocol, there will be two tents at the base of the stairs and ramp of the main entrance to the courthouse where security officers will be stationed to ensure social distancing and to provide masks to those who arrive without one. They will also provide clear plastic bags to each person to place their belongings in that need to be scanned to prevent the contamination of the plastic containers.
There are also new security procedures when going to the Bucks County Courthouse. There will be markings on the floor for social distancing in the scanner line. The number of persons waiting to be scanned will depend on the available social distancing space at the entrance. As a result, plan for extra time to enter the courthouse.
There will be Sheriff’s representatives on the third and fourth floor of the Justice Center to monitor the hallways and address the needs of the courtrooms. The courtrooms will be sanitized during lunch breaks. If anyone exhibits signs of illness, they will be placed in a specified “Quarantine Room.” The courtroom will then be decontaminated before being used again.
Like other counties discussed herein, Bucks County suspended time calculations for purposed of time computation relevant to court cases or other judicial business, as well as time deadlines through May 31, 2020. Any legal papers or pleadings which were required to be filed between March 19, 2020 and May 31, 2020, will be deemed to have been timely filed if they are filed by June 1, 2020, or on a later date determined by the local court or the Supreme Court. The court also tolled judicial timelines from March 19, 2020 through May 8, 2020 pertaining to termination petitions.
Jury trials will not re-start in Bucks County until August 3, 2020 at the earliest.
In Chester County, the courts are closed to the public until May 31, 2020. Beginning June 2nd, all functions of the Common Pleas and MDJ courts are to be fully restored. Jury trials will begin no later than August 3, 2020.
As expected, safety protocols have been established. Everyone entering the Justice Center must wear a mask, and temperatures will be taken upon entering. Social distancing must always be practiced. The number of people permitted in the elevator will be extremely limited.
As with most of the counties surrounding Philadelphia, Delaware County extended its judicial emergency to June 1st. However, all calculations for purposes of time computation relevant to court cases or other judicial business, as well as time deadlines, were only suspended through May 11, 2020. Parties to a case, whether pro se or represented, were also required to meaningfully engage in good faith discovery. As such, if a Motion to Compel is filed against you, do not expect the court to deny the Motion based simply on the fact the courts were in limited operation.
If you had a civil arbitration listed up to June 1st, it will be rescheduled no more than 90 to 120 days after June 1st. If you had a civil bench or jury trial scheduled on or before June 1st, that will be rescheduled by the assigned judge. All matters comprising of civil miscellaneous lists will be rescheduled by Court Administration in a staggered manner 3-4 months after June 1st.
President Judge David Ashworth extended the judicial emergency to May 31st in Lancaster County.
All criminal jury trials scheduled for June 2020 were continued to July 2020. Criminal non-jury trials, however, may be scheduled with the permission of the President Judge. Civil jury trials scheduled for June 2020 are to be rescheduled by the presiding judge after consultation with the President Judge. Civil non-jury trials may be scheduled with permission of the President Judge.
All legal filings required to be filed between March 18, 2020 and April 30, 2020 will be deemed timely if they were filed within 60 days of the original filing date. Any legal filings required to be filed between May 1st and May 31st will be deemed timely if they are filed within 30 days of the original filing date.
If you practice criminal law in Lancaster County, the court has implemented a virtual guilty plea program.
Jury service is cancelled until June 30, 2020.
The Lehigh County courthouse is closed to the public through May 31, 2020.
Regarding the civil division, civil motions court will re-start after May 31st; arbitration. Jury and non-jury trials were continued through and including May 31st and will be given a new date. Hearings, arguments, and conferences not conducted by the assigned judge during the judicial emergency will be given a new date after May 31st utilizing advanced communication technology.
Time calculations for the purpose of time computations relevant to court cases and other judicial business, as well as time deadlines, were suspended through May 31st. Any legal papers, including original service, required to be filed or effective between March 17, 2020 and May 31, 2020 will be deemed to be timely filed, if they are filed by June 22, 2020, or on a later date as permitted by court order, subject to constitutional restrictions, statute of limitations or appellate court direction.
If you practice law in Montgomery County, expect to see drastic changes.
Beginning June 1, 2020, like the other courts, Montgomery County courts will be open to conduct business. However, other buildings and offices, including One Montgomery Plaza, the Juvenile Court Facility, and Domestic Relations Office, will remain closed to the public until further notice.
The tolling of time requirements, time limitations or filing deadlines imposed by court order or local rules during the period covered by the judicial emergency will expire. As such, legal papers or pleadings which were required to be filed between March 12, 2020 and June 15, 2020, shall be deemed to have been filed timely if they are filed by close of business on June 15, 2020.
The court has placed its protocols for each division on its website. Beginning June 1, 2020, in the civil division, all proceedings that cannot be resolved on the paper/filings will be conducted remotely. Those virtual hearings will be conducted via Zoom and have specified procedures. Attorneys are strongly encouraged to review those protocols promptly.
For all Case Management Orders or Rule 212 Conference Orders issued prior to March 12, 2020, the deadlines are extended for 3 months. That will be a welcomed reprieve for parties in cases that were approaching discovery deadlines.
If your practice involves dependency and/or delinquency, or if you are an MCAP, beginning June 1, 2020 juvenile division matters will be conducted remotely. The Court will conduct these hearings via Zoom. Placement reviews, delinquency reviews, and agreed dependency permanency reviews will be reviewed on written filings or papers. For some, this may be a welcoming change, as most placement reviews, delinquency reviews, and agreed dependency permanency reviews can be accomplished by agreement. If you practice family law in Montgomery County, your hearings will be held virtually for the foreseeable future as well.
Jury trials in Montgomery County are also postponed and may not re-start for many months.
Access to the courthouse will be limited to the main street entrance only. All individuals must comply with the established county health screening requirements. Individuals entering the courthouse must maintain appropriate social distancing, wear protective face masks, and comply with all safety directives provided by the court or county staff. Plan for an additional 30 minutes to enter the courthouse.
Unlike the other counties mentioned above, Northampton County is extremely specific. Please visit the County’s website for exact guidance for your case.
Time calculations for the purposes of time computations relevant to Northampton County local rules are suspended from April 14, 2020 to May 31, 2020.
The Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County has provided numerous notices to the Philadelphia Bar Association regarding its procedures moving forward. We strongly encourage specific review of the same.
In Philadelphia, all jury trials are cancelled through September 8, 2020. Unless counsel is notified specifically to the contrary, all in person criminal, civil, orphans’ court, municipal court and traffic court trials, hearings, and conferences scheduled through July 6, 2020 are administratively cancelled and shall be rescheduled.
In the civil division, make sure to check the docket for new arbitration hearing dates if you had an arbitration hearing scheduled between March 17, 2020 and April 13, 2020. Also look for rescheduling notices if you had a scheduled arbitration hearing between April 14, 2020 and May 29, 2020. All matters currently scheduled for Arbitration hearings in June of 2020 will have a virtual or remote settlement conference with a Judge Pro Tempore as opposed to an Arbitration hearing during the month of June. Civil matters previously listed for a settlement conference but postponed as a result of the judicial emergency will be relisted for a new settlement conference before a Judge Pro Tempore, who will have the ability and necessary technology to conduct conferences remotely.
Case management conferences are waived in any civil case previously scheduled for a case management conference between Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and Monday, June 1, 2020. In lieu of the conference, a Case Management Order will be issued assigning the case to either the Expedited, Standard or Complex case management track. We expect conferences to re-start again after June 1,2020.
In Philadelphia County, the suspension of time requirements, time limitations or filing deadlines expired on May 11, 2020. A notable exception to this rule is that a default judgement cannot be entered before June 15, 2020. In addition, any Notice of Intent required by Pa.R.C.P. 237.1 filed before May 11, 2020, must be refiled.
Recognizing that no party should gain an advantage as a result of the pending judicial emergency and that appropriate equitable considerations must be applied, the Court has adopted a protocol for extraordinary relief by agreement of the parties. No discovery deadline shall extend beyond September 8, 2020. However, in any Case Management Order in which the Discovery deadline ends subsequent to March 1, 2020, the parties may agree to extend the discovery deadline until July 6, 2020, August 3, 2020 or September 8, 2020 at their discretion by filing an appropriate praecipe.
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania first gave the President Judges of each local court that authority to suspend time calculations within its judicial district, which included the suspension of Rule of Criminal Procedure 600.
When the Supreme Court closed all Pennsylvania courts to the public on March 18th, it suspended all time calculations for purposes of time computation relevant to court cases or other judicial business. After extending the end date for these purposes twice, the Supreme Court has made clear that all events, legal papers or pleadings which were required to be filed between March 19, 2020 and May 8, 2020, generally are deemed to have been filed timely if they are filed by the close of business on May 11, 2020. However, President Judges in individual counties have discretion to enforce deadlines prior to May 11, 2020, in the critical-functions arena as defined by the Supreme Court. As discussed previously, they also have the discretion to extend the deadline by which all papers must be filed to be considered timely.
Parties should also note that the Supreme Court supplemented its emergency order to add to the non-exclusive list of essential functions the “[c]ommencement of a civil action, by praecipe for writ of summons, for purposes of tolling statute of limitations.” As such, the judicial emergency did not toll the statute of limitations. The Court did make clear, however, that the requirement of service of original process was suspended until the judicial emergency was lifted. When the court re-opens, and service of original process begins again, be sure to check the court’s docket to make sure the plaintiff timely filed the praecipe for writ of summons.
The Supreme Court also made it clear – and encouraged – parties to continue conducting discovery. The judicial emergency itself may not provide a winning argument when faced with a Motion to Compel. The Supreme Court expected parties to continue moving cases.
While the courts are reopening, things will look very different. By all accounts, COVID-19 has most likely changed the practice of law, at least for the foreseeable future. There will be kinks in the beginning as everyone adjusts to the new normal. A lot of issues will now be resolved either on the papers or remotely by the Court. Depositions will most likely continue to be conducted remotely as people continue to practice social distancing. A lot of cases will now be resolved through ADR, instead of jury trials. Everyone is adapting to the “new normal.” Through it all, continue to work together and be cordial. We will get through this together.
Walsh Pancio attorneys are proud to be active and involved members of the Montgomery Bar Association, the pre-eminent association of attorneys in Montgomery County. Continuing the firm’s proud tradition, we are thrilled to announce that our attorneys have been elected and appointed to a number of positions within the MBA for 2020:
– The Honorable Joseph P Walsh, a former President of the MBA’s Trial Lawyers’ Section, has been re-appointed as the Chair of the MBA’s Pro Bono Committee and as Co-Chair of the Government Relations Committee.
– Bruce Pancio, past President of the MBA and former chair of the Nominating Committee, has been re-appointed to the MBA’s prestigious Judiciary Committee, Bench Bar Committee, and will serve on its Council of Past Presidents.
– Mike Lyon completed his term as Young Lawyers’ Section Chair and was elected to a three year term on the MBA’s Board of Directors. He was also appointed as an officer of the Law Reporter Committee and was selected as a member of the MBA’s initial Leadership Academy 2.0 edition.
– Chelsea Dearden was re-appointed to the Steering Committee of the MBA’s active and growing Women in the Law Committee, which will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment in 2020. She was also named the Young Lawyers’ Section liaison to the MBA’s Diversity Committee.
– Jason Edwards was named the Young Lawyers’ Section liaison to the Membership Committee. He was also appointed to the MBA’s award winning Solo/Small Practice Committee, Criminal Defense Committee, and Rules of Civil Court Committee.
All Walsh Pancio attorneys will also continue to be active members of the MBA’s Trial Lawyers’ Section.
The firm is thankful for the opportunity for its attorneys to take active roles within the MBA and looks forward to a great year!
Consistent with the firm’s dedication to its community and proud history of service, Walsh Pancio was proud to assist the Young Lawyers’ Section of the Montgomery Bar Association in their winter food drive to benefit Manna on Main Street in Lansdale. Together with a number of firms, professionals, individuals, and other organizations, our attorneys and staff pitched in to make a substantial donation of non-perishable food, toiletries, and essential items. This in turn will benefit Manna’s outreach to hundreds of in-need individuals and families in the North Penn area, where Walsh Pancio is also proud to call home.
Attorneys Mike Lyon and Jason Edwards were honored to assist YLS Community Outreach Director and firm friend Tim Knowles in delivering the full allotment of items for donation to Manna on December 20, 2019.
The Honorable Joseph P. Walsh and Jason Edwards obtained summary judgment resulting in the dismissal with prejudice of a breach of contract suit filed in Montgomery County against a local Township. Plaintiff’s breach of contract claim against the Township was based upon allegations that Township supervisors violated a Confidentiality provision in a Separation Agreement between Plaintiff and the Township. Plaintiff sought damages exceeding $50,000. Although both parties filed motions seeking judgment in their favor, Joe and Jason argued that the Plaintiff had failed to establish harm to his reputation and that his alleged damages were speculative. The Court agreed with Joe and Jason’s arguments, and dismissed Plaintiff’s case with prejudice.
Walsh Pancio is proud to welcome Jason J. Edwards, Esq. to the firm. Jason will focus his practice on general casualty and liability defense, as well as commercial litigation, throughout Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the firm, Jason served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Risa Vetri Ferman of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Prior to his clerkship, he worked for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office in a variety of roles, and received two District Attorney Commendations. Jason is a 2015 graduate of Widener University’s Delaware Law School, and earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Shippensburg University in 2010. He is a member of the Montgomery Bar Association, where he currently serves as Young Lawyers’ Section Liaison for Government Attorneys and is active in several committees and sections.
Walsh Pancio Proudly Supports Our Community Partners.
Effective December 1, 2023, the new address for Walsh Pancio, LLC is:
2326 N. Broad Street
Suite 200
Colmar, PA 18915