Peter Vaira

January 09, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer

Here are legal events I would like to see take place in 2023. Their adoption is fully within the means of the bench and the bar. These suggested events, I feel, are very realistic and practical. I call upon the leaders of the courts and law firms to make a practical effort to make them happen.

By Peter Vaira

7 minute read

November 14, 2022 | The Legal Intelligencer

Several members of the criminal defense bar feel that, based upon the many practice adjustments the courts made for COVID-19, this is the time to seek to expand the federal criminal discovery process, which is far more restrictive than many state procedures.

By Peter Vaira

8 minute read

September 19, 2022 | The Legal Intelligencer

Special masters have been used by the courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, in civil matters for well over 50 years. This article emphasizes the need for special masters in complex civil litigation and in certain areas of the criminal law. The author of this article often serves as a special master.

By Peter Vaira

6 minute read

July 11, 2022 | The Legal Intelligencer

In the opinion of many attorneys, Cyril Wecht is one of the major reasons the science of forensic pathology is now so important in the fact-finding process of the law.

By Peter Vaira

9 minute read

March 07, 2022 | The Legal Intelligencer

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has the jurisdiction to amend the grand jury procedure and the Pennsylvania Senate has the power to amend the grand jury statute. These changes are long overdue and have been the subject of many articles in this paper for several years.

By Peter Vaira

6 minute read

November 08, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

Teaching leadership requires the instructor to define the characteristic of a good leader. Barton has taught classes on leadership in the past where she has always asked the students to articulate characteristics and traits of good leadership.

By Peter Vaira

7 minute read

September 20, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

This column discusses them Fifth Amendment provision to the U.S. Constitution that provides for protection of a witness against compulsory self-incrimination.

By Peter Vaira

8 minute read

July 12, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

Chief Justice Max Baer noted the court's need to continue the reform of the Grand Jury process that was interrupted by the pandemic. He said, "We are presently reenergizing our reform efforts, and you shall see some activity in the near future."

By Peter Vaira

7 minute read

November 16, 2020 | The Legal Intelligencer

This column proposes changes that should be made to the federal criminal discovery process in response to restrictions imposed to deal with the COVID-19 conditions.

By Peter Vaira

7 minute read

September 21, 2020 | The Legal Intelligencer

COVID-19 has brought many changes to the legal system. The most complex changes are occurring in the criminal practice area, where open hearings are guaranteed by the constitution.

By Peter Vaira

8 minute read