Attorneys at Law
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Be Informed.

Be informed.

Steps to Take Before Buying Land for Development

Before you purchase land for development and throughout the development process, it is imperative that you do your due diligence so you can make the best choices for the success of your project. There are many different things you'll need to make sure you do so you can feel confident the land is a good investment that you can develop the way you wish.

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Real EstateScott Rothman
What Zoning Issues Could Affect Your Land Use Rights?

Zoning rules are aimed at protecting property values, preventing crime and problems for residents, and maintaining nice areas to live. Unfortunately, these rules can be frustrating if you find that they prevent you from doing what you want to do with your own land. It is best to find out as early as possible in the purchase or development process whether zoning will be a problem for you.

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Real EstateScott Rothman
What is Constructive Discharge?

Workers are protected from many different kinds of wrongful behavior in the workplace. For example, it is unlawful for an employer to overtly discriminate but it is also unlawful for an employer to engage in disparate impact discrimination. If a test or a job qualification affects a protected class (like a particular race or religion of people), this can be a form of unlawful discrimination that can lead to legal action. Likewise, if a hostile work environment is created by co-workers or peers, this can be considered an actionable violation of civil rights laws.

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Employment LawScott Rothman
The Steps for Residential Property Tax Appeals

The Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals explains the appeals process and the steps to residential property tax appeals. According to the Board of Assessments, appeals have to be filed by August first preceding the year in which the taxes are being appealed. If there is a change in assessment, an interim appeal can be filed within 40 days from the notice of the assessment change.  Appeals have to be either postmarked or hand-delivered on or before the deadline, and will not be accepted via fax.

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Real EstateScott Rothman
Are You Considered an At Will Employee?

When an employee is an at will employee, this means that the employee works as long as the employee wants to, for as long as the company decides to keep him employed. A worker can quit at any time, and a company can fire the worker at any time and for any reason.  There does not have to be a specific stated reason for either an employee quitting a job or an employer terminating the worker.

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Employment LawScott Rothman
Can You Qualify for Low Income Housing Tax Credits?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) states: "The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is the most important resource for creating affordable housing in the United States today." This program benefits not just to people looking for low income housing, but also developers. If you qualify for these credits, it can also be an important source of financial savings that makes a development significantly more affordable for you to construct.

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Real EstateScott Rothman
When Can Your Landlord Evict You?

Both landlords and renters need to know Pennsylvania landlord tenant law because these laws impose both rights and obligations. The laws mandate that landlords meet basic minimum standards in terms of providing a safe place for renters and in terms of providing renters with notice when they need to leave. Tenants are also required to fulfill certain obligations, including paying rent on time to landlords. 

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Real EstateScott Rothman
Can You Bring an Employment Discrimination Class Action?

You can file a civil lawsuit against an employer if you are treated different in hiring, firing, or the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of your protected status.  Employers are not allowed to discriminate on the basis of your gender, your race, your religion, your national origins or nationality, your advanced age, or your disability status. All of these things are considered to be protected statuses.

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Are Residential Property Tax Appeals Successful?

Appealing property taxes can allow for significant savings, but it can be a difficult process. Residential property tax appeals are often successful; however, they are a success only for people who know what is required of them and who put together a strong case to show why the value of their home should be reduced.

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Real EstateScott Rothman
Can You Be Evicted For Breaking Lease Terms?

A tenant may be evicted for failing to pay rent as required by the lease the tenant has entered into. A lease may contain a grace period after which rent is considered to be late. A landlord has to abide by the grace period and rules set forth in the lease for rent collection.  Tenants may also be evicted if they violate other terms of the lease, aside from requirements on rent.

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Real EstateScott Rothman
How a Corporate Law Attorney can Help Protect Intellectual Property

There are many different kinds of intellectual property, including copyrighted works, patented inventions or processes, and trademarked logos or phrases. Trade secret and customer lists are also important examples of intellectual property which can have significant value to companies.  There are a variety of different types of threats to all of this valuable information which individuals and companies may possess.

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Business LawScott Rothman
Key Steps in Securing Site Plan Approval

For subdivision development and many other development projects, developers must submit comprehensive site plans to the Montgomery County Planning Commission.  Your site plan needs to provide sufficient detail to demonstrate that you have taken zoning and land use requirements into account. Depending upon the size and scope of the project, you may also need to demonstrate the environmental impact of any project you are undertaking.  There are fees associated with submitting a subdivision or land development plan for review, and applications may also need to be submitted to local municipal authorities in addition to the Planning Commission.

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Real EstateScott Rothman