Cliff Rieders

September 05, 2019 | The Legal Intelligencer

As Justice Samuel Alito, the writer of the majority opinion, was quick to point out, the cross stood for 89 years after its dedication before a lawsuit was filed claiming that the sight of it on public land was offensive to Humanist.

By Cliff Rieders

7 minute read

August 22, 2019 | The Legal Intelligencer

Heather Oberdorf took her dog for a walk, using a retractable leash. The dog lunged causing the D-ring on the collar to break. The leash recoiled hitting Oberdorf’s face and eyeglasses. She was permanently blinded in her left eye.

By Cliff Rieders

6 minute read

July 18, 2019 | The Legal Intelligencer

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd wrote the majority opinion in Mitchell v. Shikora, decided June 18. The court indicated that it was following its prior decision in Brady v. Urbas, 111 A.3d 1155 (Pa. 2015), and found that evidence of the risks and complications of a surgery “may be” admissible at trial.

By Cliff Rieders

8 minute read

June 06, 2019 | The Legal Intelligencer

The clash of rights between those who assert a First Amendment religious privilege to practice their religion freely with civil rights promoted by the gay, lesbian and transgender community has occurred in the pas

By Cliff Rieders

6 minute read

March 28, 2019 | The Legal Intelligencer

Why is that two identical Boeing airplanes went down within a few months of each other under very similar circumstances? Is this just a coincidence or some problem with the airplane software?

By Cliff Rieders

7 minute read

February 28, 2019 | The Legal Intelligencer

In George Orwell's "1984," the citizens could at least see the screen that was watching them. Not so today. Surveillance is often ubiquitous—and because it may encompass public spaces, it is unknown to the casual observer.

By Cliff Rieders

7 minute read

January 17, 2019 | The Legal Intelligencer

Like the inevitable phoenix, the Pennsylvania Peer Review Act gives rise to significant appellate court cases from time to time. Most recently, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Reginelli v. Boggs, 181 A. 3d 293 (Pa. 2018), emphasized the narrow scope of the protection afforded by the PRPA.

By Cliff Rieders

6 minute read

December 06, 2018 | The Legal Intelligencer

Imagine this situation. A tragic car collision injures Michael Sauers and kills his wife. The injuries and death result from the “criminally reckless driving of police officer Stephen Homanko,” but the police officer walks away from any civil liability for money damages to the family he killed and injured. How could such a thing happen?

By Cliff Rieders

5 minute read

October 11, 2018 | The Legal Intelligencer

Voters of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania may have the opportunity to vote on a proposed amendment to the Constitution of Pennsylvania in November 2019.

By Cliff Rieders

3 minute read

October 04, 2018 | The Legal Intelligencer

In one of the most interesting cases the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has decided this term, Justice Thomas Saylor writing for the majority in Commonwealth v Knox, held that lyrics of a rap song may lead to criminal charges.

By Cliff Rieders

4 minute read