Cliff Rieders

Cliff Rieders

November 21, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

Free Speech Causes a Neighborly Feud

This case involves the free speech provision found in Article I, Section 7 of the Pennsylvania Constitution. The court found that the injunction entered by the trial court violates free speech. The neighbors had a right to put up the signs.

By Cliff Rieders

9 minute read

October 25, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

Third Circuit Predicts Pa. High Court's Application of 'Gallagher' and 'Donovan' in 'Mid-Century Insurance v. Werley'

The Third Circuit determined that the household exclusion at issue must be enforced in order to be consistent with current Pennsylvania Supreme Court precedents.

By Cliff Rieders

12 minute read

October 03, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

'Blackout Challenge' Case Puts TikTok Immunity in the Bullseye

Anderson v. TikTok sets new parameters for the liability of social media under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, 47 U.S.C. Section 230. The facts of the case are tragic and alarming. Its implications for social media could be far reaching.

By Cliff Rieders

11 minute read

August 23, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

The People Versus the US Supreme Court—Who Is in Charge?

Trump v. United States is decried by some as inviting the president of the United States to be a dictator and by others as a decision that will tie the hands of the activist presidents we demand in the United States.

By Cliff Rieders

14 minute read

July 12, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

Court Rules Treble Damages Under Pa.'s CPL Constitute Remedy Independent of Any Related Common Law Damages

The trial court's decision not to award treble damages due to the award of punitive damages and attorney fees was not an exercise of discretion. It was a refusal to exercise discretion, resulting from an erroneous misapplication of the law.

By Cliff Rieders

10 minute read

June 03, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

Another Blow to the Gist of the Action Doctrine

The gist of the action doctrine is generally "designed to maintain the conceptual distinction between breach of contract claims and tort claims. As a practical matter, the doctrine precludes plaintiffs from re-casting ordinary breach of contract claims into a tort claim."

By Cliff Rieders

8 minute read

May 06, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

The Sword of Damocles and Relation Back: The Meaning of 'Good Cause'

The relation back component of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(c) is like a sword of Damocles. Whether a plaintiff in good faith can file an amended complaint pursuant to Rule 15(c), which relates back to the time before the statute of limitations expired, can be the difference between the "life and death" for an action of malpractice versus a good night's sleep and no worries for the filling attorney.

By Cliff Rieders

10 minute read

March 28, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

A Closer Look at Subrogation and Other Unmentionables

Under the lease, it was reasonable for the tenants to expect that the landlord would look only to the policy the landlord purchased for compensation for the fire loss, which would be covered by the policy.

By Cliff Rieders

5 minute read

February 20, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

The Restatement Third Takes Another Nosedive

Under the risk-utility test, "a product is in a defective condition if a 'reasonable person' would conclude that the probability and seriousness of harm caused by the product outweigh the burden or costs of taking precautions." The court stated that a plaintiff may proceed under either theory, or both theories in the alternative.

By Cliff Rieders

14 minute read

February 02, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

Understanding What a Sudden Emergency Is and Is Not

The Pennsylvania Superior Court concluded that the evidence presented in the automobile accident case failed to establish a foundation for a sudden emergency instruction. The plaintiffs were entitled to their requested instructions on a driver's duty of care. Finding prejudicial error in the court below, the Superior Court reversed and remanded for a new trial.

By Cliff Rieders

8 minute read