Michael Berry

August 01, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

The new statute builds on a model act proposed by the Uniform Law Commission and the collective experience of states with existing anti-SLAPP laws, while also accounting for distinctive features of our commonwealth's Constitution and Pennsylvania legal practice.

By Michael Berry

6 minute read

March 11, 2008 | Law.com

When Gov. Edward G. Rendell signed Pennsylvania's new Right-to-Know Law on Feb. 14, he declared that government in the Commonwealth is now "open for inspection."

By Michael Berry

9 minute read

March 04, 2008 | Law.com

During the past year, Pennsylvania politicians from across the political spectrum have said that transparency and open access to government records are the hallmarks of good government.

By Michael Berry

10 minute read

April 25, 2012 | The Legal Intelligencer

Pennsylvania courts have begun to go high-tech and, as a result, are becoming more accessible to the public. Counties are beginning to implement e-filing. The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas is now making civil filings available online. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has started allowing oral arguments to be televised. And, the high court has even launched its own Twitter account.

By Gayle C. Sproul and Michael Berry

9 minute read

April 10, 2006 | The Legal Intelligencer

The intrastate rivalry between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh is legendary, whether it's sports teams, gubernatorial candidates, or judges. Yes, judges.

By Michael Berry

9 minute read

September 23, 2009 | The Legal Intelligencer

Last month, when the Commonwealth Court issued its first published opinion addressing Pennsylvania's new Right-to-Know Law, it shone a bright light on a long-standing issue: the inherent tension between the public's right to access government records and a person's interest in the privacy of information that the government possesses about him.

By Michael Berry

9 minute read

October 05, 2005 | National Law Journal

Asked at his confirmation hearing if he supported allowing TV cameras in federal courtrooms, John Roberts joked that former Senator (and current "Law and Order" star) Fred Thompson assured him that "television cameras are nothing to be afraid of." Attorney Michael Berry agrees, and says the recent denial of a petition to televise a closely watched Pennsylvania case denied the country a valuable civics lesson. Berry argues that Roberts should re-examine the Federal Judicial Conference's stance on the issue.

By Michael Berry

8 minute read

October 05, 2005 | Law.com

Asked at his confirmation hearing if he supported allowing TV cameras in federal courtrooms, John Roberts joked that former Senator (and current "Law and Order" star) Fred Thompson assured him that "television cameras are nothing to be afraid of." Attorney Michael Berry agrees, and says the recent denial of a petition to televise a closely watched Pennsylvania case denied the country a valuable civics lesson. Berry argues that Roberts should re-examine the Federal Judicial Conference's stance on the issue.

By Michael Berry

8 minute read

March 29, 2006 | The Legal Intelligencer

The intrastate rivalry between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh is legendary, whether it's sports teams, gubernatorial candidates, or judges.

By Michael Berry

10 minute read

June 02, 2008 | The Legal Intelligencer

Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed a new Right-to-Know Law that dramatically changes the rules governing the public's access to government records. The biggest change is the new law's express mandate that government records are presumed to be

By Michael Berry

7 minute read