Noteworthy and
Upcoming Events

May 30, 2008: Larry Silver Successfully Defends Citizen Against Developer's SLAPP Suit in Commonwealth Court, Protects Citizens' Protest
In the first ever appellate decision enforcing Pennsylvania's environmental Immunity Act -- passed by the Legislature in 2000 to protect citizens and advocates from SLAPP suits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) – the Commonwealth Court shielded a citizen from a developer's SLAPP suit seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. This followed the citizen asking the county commissioners to enforce an open space regulation that prevented the developer from building a private road through a park that would connect to his proposed residential development. The case is Pennsburv Village Associates v. McIntvre, No. 1457, C.D. 2007.

Larry Silver, Langsam Stevens & Silver partner, argued the case for the citizen. “Commonwealth Court has given teeth to the Immunity Act,” said Mr. Silver. “This case alters the balance between developers and citizen participants and will inhibit to some degree the use of lawsuits to chill opposition.”

The Commonwealth Court reversed a decision by Judge Gavin of the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County. Instead of owing the developer damages for delaying his development, the citizen, Aaron McIntyre, will now be entitled under the Immunity Act to make the developer pay McIntyre’s attorney fees. The Immunity Act, “Participation in Environmental Law or Regulation Act,” stemmed from communications with government agencies “relating to enforcement or implementation of an environmental law or regulation.”

The Chester County judge had decided that McIntyre, a Pennsbury Township resident, who tried to convince the County Commissioners not to allow the building of a road through Township park land, was not entitled to the protection of the Act because he didn't cite any specific environmental law or regulation in his communications with the County - even though the park land is protected under the County's Open Space Program. The park land has a deed restriction mandated by the Open Space program which requires that the land be used only for “public park or recreation purposes.” The developer's suit was based on a settlement agreement that had been signed earlier by the Township, the developer, McIntyre and other citizens. The developer argued that the settlement agreement gave the Township the right to determine where the road was to go and prevented McIntyre from saying or doing anything to stop the road from going through the park. The lower court found that McIntyre and others had done an “end run” around the Stipulation by complaining to the County.

The Commonwealth Court, in a 6-1 decision, ruled that, although the term “environmental” was not defined by the Immunity Act, an “open space” program qualified as “environmental” and that, consequently, McIntyre's request to the County that the restrictions in the County’s open space program be enforced was entitled to protection from SLAPP suits.

November 9, 2006: David E. Romine elected to board of PA unit of National Society
David E. Romine, associate at the law firm of Langsam Stevens & Silver, was just elected to the Board of Pennsylvania Audubon, the Pennsylvania unit of the National Audubon Society. In this capacity he will be on the Development Committee. Romine’s previous non-profit experience included serving on the Board of Calcutta House, an AIDS hospice. Romine has been practicing law since 1993.


September 28, 2006: Joanna Adams Waldron spoke on Brownfields: Emerging Issues at Rutgers
Langsam Stevens & Silver partner Joanna Adams Waldron presented information on Pennsylvania’s Land Recycling Program for buyers of brownfields for residential use. Ms. Waldron presented information to the New Jersey environmental community at the Cook College of Rutgers University course; Brownfields: Emerging Issues course. The day-long program analyzed brownfields redevelopment in New Jersey and included discussions by former New Jersey Governor Florio, as well as regulators, developers, land owners, environmental professionals, municipal officials, attorneys and lending institutions. The program was sponsored by the National Brownfields Association and the Society of Women Environmental Professionals.


September 1, 2006: Mark Stevens earned recognition in 2007 Best Lawyers in America
Based on 1.8 million confidential evaluations submitted by the top attorneys across the country, Langsam Stevens & Silver partner Mark Stevens has been selected by his peers to be included in the 2007 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the specialty of Environmental Law. “Because no fee or purchase is required to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor,” according to Editor in Chief, Steven Naifeh.


August 14, 2006: Henry Langsam spoke at NBI event on Commercial Eviction
Langsam Stevens & Silver founding partner Henry Langsam lectured twice at the National Business Institute’s continuing legal education program; A Practical Guide to Commercial Eviction held at the Holiday Inn-Midtown Philadelphia. He kicked off the event with the first lecture on Planning Ahead to Avoid Tenant Problems Before they Occur and followed with a speech on Tenant Defenses to the Eviction Action.

Mr. Langsam leads Langsam Stevens & Silver in its real estate and business practices which have national and local clients. He also maintains a general practice of law to meet the various needs of businesses and families. This practice compliments and supports the firm’s environmental practice and its representation of environmental contractors and consultants. In addition to assisting such clients in collections, Mr. Langsam provides counseling on corporate matters including acquisitions and divestitures.

For more details on the NBI event, call 800-930-6182 or contact Mr. Langsam at 215-732-3255 or at hlangsam@langsamstevens.com.


July 18, 2006: Mark Stevens Featured On National Business Radio Program
On July 18th 2006, Langsam Stevens & Silver partner, Mark Stevens was interviewed on The Growth Strategist™ radio program hosted by Aldonna Ambler on the VoiceAmerica® Business Channel. The show speaks directly to CEOs of fast-growth mid-market companies ($20-200 million) about growth strategies, moving past plateaus, what to do next while Achieving Accelerated Growth With Sustained Profitability®. During the program, Mr. Stevens discussed his experiences growing his environmental law firm and in particular how specialization has been an advantage. The program can be accessed at www.ambler.com/archive.htm on the July 18th “playdate.”


July 2006: PA Superior Court Rules Favorably in Negligence Case
Langsam Stevens & Silver’s team led by Mark Stevens and JoAnna Waldron scored a victory in the Superior Court of Pennsylvania for an engineering firm client sued for professional negligence. The Superior Court accepted the firm’s reasoning that its client did not waive the protections of the Pennsylvania Certificate of Merit rules by answering the complaint or by participating in discovery. The certificate of merit rules were enacted and became effective in 2003, and apply to cases brought against professionals accused of negligence. The rules require that a Plaintiff in such cases obtain an appropriate expert to certify the validity of its negligence claim. This decision is final as the Supreme Court denied plaintiffs' motion for extension of time to file a petition for allowance of appeal.  For a copy of the Court’s opinion or for more information on Langsam Stevens & Silver’s professional liability defense practice, contact Mark Stevens at 215-732-3255 or mstevens@langsamstevens.com.


June 2006: Langsam Stevens & Silver Supports Pennsylvania Environmental Council Annual Philadelphia Dinner Spotlights Environmental and Economic Balance





On June 6, 2006, Langsam Stevens & Silver supported the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) as a Contributor of the 36th Annual Philadelphia Dinner on June 6th. The event drew over 400 guests including keynote speakers State Treasurer Bob Casey, Jr. and Senator Rick Santorum. The event focused on balancing environmental and economic issues through collaborative solutions
  
Members of the firm Langsam Stevens & Silver have been supporters of the Council in various ways since 1989 and have been an Environmental Partner with the organization.


June 2006: Chambers USA 2006 Praises Langsam Stevens & Silver Again
Langsam Stevens & Silver has been praised again in the Chambers USA Guide of America's Leading Lawyers for Business. This year Chambers recognized that: “As the only full-service environmental boutique in central Philadelphia, this niche firm owes its visibility in the marketplace to its strong litigation focus and impressive client roster. The firm acts on AIG’s defense panel and it regularly handles insurance-related defense and waste management work.” The Chambers USA Guide also states that “Mark Stevens is viewed as an authority on site cleanup and Brownfield programs and also acts in federal work.”


Battling to Preserve Historic Dilworth House on Washington Square
Langsam Stevens & Silver is representing the Society Hill Civic Association and the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia in an effort to save the historic Dilworth House on Washington Square in Philadelphia.  The Dilworth House was the former home of Philadelphia's great reform Mayor Richardson Dilworth, who built the house and moved his family there in the late 1950s as a symbolic gesture and to set an example for urban rebirth.  His decision was instrumental in the rebirth of the Society Hill neighborhood, one of the first urban revival neighborhoods the country.  The Langsam Stevens & Silver team led by Larry Silver has negotiated in an effort to save the historic house.

April 2006: Superfund Site Judgment Won
A Langsam Stevens & Silver legal team representing a group of plaintiff PRPs at a Superfund Site won a $1.35 million judgment after three-week trial in a contribution case against the only remaining defendant PRP. The winning team consisted of Larry Silver, David Romine and Stephen Fitzgerald. The case will be reported at 428 F. Supp.2d 288 (E.D. Pa. 2006).


February 2006: Thomas Storrer Passes NJ Bar
Having passed the New Jersey Bar exam, Thomas R. Storrer, a Langsam Stevens & Silver attorney, is now a member of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New Mexico (inactive) bars. Prior to joining Langsam Stevens & Silver, Mr. Storrer was an Assistant District Attorney in Alamogordo, New Mexico and in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was also a Compliance Specialist for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Solid Waste Program, where Mr. Storrer gained extensive experience in municipal, residual and hazardous waste operations.


January 2006: Deborah Moody elected to the Board of SWEP
Deborah H. Moody, a Langsam Stevens & Silver attorney and a 2001 graduate of the Vermont Law School with both a J.D. and a Masters of Studies in Environmental Law, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Society of Women Professionals, Greater Philadelphia Chapter. Ms. Moody has litigation experience in various complex environmental matters and has represented municipalities and private corporations in alternate dispute resolution processes with respect to the allocation of landfill remediation costs. She also has experience with toxic mold contamination and indoor air quality issues in apartment complexes and condominiums. Among other activities, she is currently planning SWEP’s annual golf outing in that will be held in August.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

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