Steve Lagoy

Contact Information:

17 West Gay Street, Suite 200
West Chester, PA 19380

Phone: 610.692.1371
slagoy@utbf.com

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Stephen P. Lagoy

Steve is called upon by private parties, including Fortune 50 companies, and the judiciary to serve as both mediator and neutral arbitrator in commercial, injury and probate cases. Steve’s extensive training in alternative dispute resolution builds on advocacy skills honed over more than four decades, both in and out of the courtroom.

Regardless of the difficulty or complexity of the matter at hand, Steve is an active listener who seeks to fully understand all aspects of a dispute before working with the parties to fashion a workable solution. Steve’s people skills and sensitivity to the human emotions underlying contention enable him to be an empathetic sounding board for all parties involved. Notably, Steve is at his best when helping parties through even the most contentious and seemingly intractable acrimony.

Steve is also able to account for, address, separate himself from, and move beyond the emotional components of a dispute in order to serve as a catalyst for realizing a compromise that can work for everyone. Able to establish immediate rapport and patient when working through issues of all kinds, Steve knows the law and the rules of evidence. Ultimately, he helps parties focus on how juries and judges are likely to apply both to the facts at issue.

Steve received the preeminent “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell in 2000 and every year since, recognizing superior legal ability as judged by his peers. He has also been selected for inclusion in the “Pennsylvania Super Lawyers” listing in eight of the last nine years and has been named a “Top Lawyer” by Main Line Today magazine over multiple years.

Practice Areas

Education

  • University of Maine School of Law, J.D. (1974)
  • Pepperdine University School of Law, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution
    • Graduate, Mediator Training Program (2008)
  • Northeastern University, M.S. (1975)
  • Georgetown University, B.S.F.S. (1971)

Admissions

  • Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts (1974)
  • Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (1976)
  •  Supreme Court of Maryland (2015)
  • United States Supreme Court (1980)

Memberships

  • Maryland State Bar Association
    • Member, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
  • Kent County Maryland Bar Association
  • Maryland Real Estate Commission
    • Broker
  • Chester County Bar Association
    • Co-chair, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section (2009-2017)
    • Mediator, Civil and Orphans’ Court Mediation Programs
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
    • Member, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
  • American Bar Association
    • Member, Dispute Resolution Section
  • Hon. John E. Stively, Jr. American Inns of Court
    • Charter Member and Master of the Bench
  • Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
    • Chairman, Hearing Committee 2.07 (1994 to 2000)
  • Penn State Great Valley School of Professional Studies, Advisory Board
    • Founding Member (1991 to 1997)
  • Chester County Solid Waste Authority
    • Member and Vice Chairman (1987 to 1994)

Other Involvement

  • Special Counsel, Chester County Board of Commissioners (2004 to 2017)
  • Solicitor, Chester County Department of Community Development (2001 to 2017)
  • Solicitor, Controller of Chester County (1998 to 2003)
  • Solicitor, Chester County Office of Housing and Community Development (1993 to 2000)
  • Solicitor, Redevelopment Authority of Chester County (1990 to 1992)
  • Solicitor, Prothonotary of Chester County (1984 to 1987)

Martindale Hubbell Rating

  • AV Rated*

*CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards. For more information, see http://www.martindale.com.

Stephen P. Lagoy

Rated by Super Lawyers
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Main Line Today Top Lawyer 2023

Latest From Stephen Lagoy

8

Oct

Steve Lagoy Elected to Board of Community Mediation Upper Shore, Inc.

On September 18, Steve Lagoy was elected to serve a three-year term on the Board of Community Mediation Upper Shore, Inc. (“CMUS”), a non-profit mediation center serving Maryland’s Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties. CMUS provides community-based conflict resolution and peace-building services to the communities it serves, at no cost. Steve, whose practice focuses on …

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24

Jul

17 Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Attorneys Named Top Lawyers By Main Line Today

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees is proud to announce that 17 firm attorneys have been named to the 2024 Top Lawyers List by Main Line Today. This recognition highlights our attorneys’ skill, dedication, and professionalism across multiple practice areas.

Main Line Today, a prominent regional magazine showcasing the best of Philadelphia’s western suburbs, curates this …

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22

Jul

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Attorneys Named to Chester County’s Top Lawyers List for 2024

We are thrilled to announce that 21 of our attorneys have been named to the Daily Local News’ Reader’s Choice Top Lawyers of Chester County list for 2024! This is the fourth consecutive year firm attorneys have received this honor.

We would like to extend our sincere congratulations to the following attorneys for being recognized …

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17

May

Sixteen Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Attorneys Selected To The 2024 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees is proud to announce that eleven firm attorneys have been selected to the 2024 Super Lawyers list and five firm attorneys have been selected to the 2024 Pennsylvania Rising Stars list. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas …

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7

Aug

Fourteen Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Attorneys Named to Main Line Today’s 2023 Top Lawyers List

We are pleased to announce that fourteen Unruh Turner Burke & Frees attorneys have been recognized on Main Line Today’s distinguished “2023 Top Lawyers” list!

Main Line Today, a prominent regional magazine spotlighting the essence of Philadelphia’s western suburbs, annually curates this prestigious list featuring outstanding legal professionals. The selection process involves nominations from peers …

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21

Jul

Every Attorney At Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Named To The Daily Local News 2023 Top Lawyers List For The Second Consecutive Year

Daily Local News readers voted for Chester County’s Top Lawyers in the annual Top Lawyers Readers’ Choice Poll earlier this year. Readers voted online for their favorite lawyers in various practice areas.

This is the second year that every lawyer at the firm has been recognized and the third consecutive year that firm attorneys have …

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19

May

Fifteen Attorneys at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Recognized by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® for 2023

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees (“UTBF”) is pleased to announce that eleven attorneys have been selected to the 2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list and four firm attorneys have been selected to the 2023 Pennsylvania Rising Stars list. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice …

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12

Aug

Fourteen Attorneys at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Named to “2022 Top Lawyers” List by Main Line Today Magazine

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees is honored to have fourteen attorneys named to Main Line Today’s “2022 Top Lawyers” list. Each year Main Line Today publishes a list of “Top Lawyers” in the region. Attorneys are nominated by their peers and vetted through the magazine’s editorial process. Main Line Today is a regional magazine focusing …

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25

Jul

Every Attorney at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Receives the Daily Local 2022 Top Lawyers Reader’s Choice Award

Chester County has voted and the results are in. Every attorney at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees (UTBF), one of Chester County, Pennsylvania’s largest law firms, has been voted a Top Lawyer for 2022 by Daily Local readers. Unruh Turner Burke & Frees’ attorneys were recognized in the following practice areas:

Brian D. Boreman

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10

Jun

Eleven UTBF Attorneys Recognized by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers in 2022

Ten attorneys at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees have been named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list for 2022, in addition to an attorney being named among the 2022 Pennsylvania Rising Stars. The Rising Stars list includes attorneys who are 40 years old or younger or who have been practicing law for 10 years or …

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16

Jul

Twenty UTBF Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in Chester County by the Daily Local News Readers Choice

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees is honored to have twenty attorneys named to the Daily Local News 2021 Best Lawyers Readers Choice list. UTBF attorneys recognized are:

Brian D. Boreman was selected in Labor & Employment and Employment Discrimination William J. Burke, III was selected in Real Estate Theodore F. Claypoole was …

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28

May

Twelve UTBF Attorneys Recognized by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers in 2021

Twelve attorneys at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees have been named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list for 2021. Additionally, three attorneys were named among the 2021 Pennsylvania Rising Stars. The Rising Stars list includes attorneys who are 40 years old or younger or who have been practicing law for 10 years or less.

READ MORE

31

Jul

Fifteen Attorneys at UTBF Named Top Lawyers by Main Line Today Magazine

We are proud to announce that fifteen attorneys at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees were named to the 2020 “Top Lawyers” list by Main Line Today magazine. Main Line Today is a regional magazine focusing on the communities, traditions and lifestyles of Philadelphia’s western suburbs. Attorneys are nominated by their peers and vetted through …

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12

Jun

Steve Lagoy Re-Appointed to the Pennsylvania Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Committees

Pennsylvania Bar Association President, David E. Schwager, has re-appointed Steve Lagoy to the PBA Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) Committee for a one-year term.

The Legislative Committee follows the progress of legislative initiatives that impact alternative dispute resolution, consults as necessary, and works with the PBA to support legislation that advances ADR  practices in the …

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9

Jun

Ten UTBF Attorneys Named Among 2020 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Honorees

Eight attorneys at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees have been recognized by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for 2020. Additionally, two attorneys were named among the 2020 Pennsylvania Rising Stars. The Rising Stars list includes attorneys who are 40 years old or younger or who have been practicing law for 10 years or less.

The UTBF attorneys …

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13

Apr

Mediation During the Pandemic

To say that COVID-19 has changed the way we mediators do things would be a gross understatement. We now operate in a legal world where courthouses are closed to the public, trial lists have been put on hold, cases have been postponed indefinitely and social distancing has made mediations impossible. Or has it? This week, …

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9

Mar

National Representation in Mediation Competition: Bright Future Ahead for Mediation

Author: Stephen P. Lagoy

The Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association sponsors an annual law student mediation competition known as the “National Representation in Mediation Competition.” This program, using a role-play format, introduces law student participants to the challenges of representing clients in mediation. According to the ABA, the judging …

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5

Aug

Stephen Lagoy Issued Captain License by U.S. Coast Guard

Steve Lagoy has been issued a captain’s license by the United States Coast Guard. The requirements for this credential (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel of Less Than 100 Gross Tons) include successful completion of a written test, 360 days of sea service and a satisfactory medical examination. This license is required for charter boat …

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23

Jul

Every Partner at UTBF Named a Top Lawyer by Main Line Today Magazine

For the second year in a row, every partner at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees was named to the 2019 “Top Lawyers” list by Main Line Today magazine. Attorneys are nominated by their peers and vetted through the magazine’s editorial process. Sixteen attorneys at the firm, including all partners, were named to the list in …

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13

May

Nine UTBF Attorneys Named Among 2019 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Honorees

Eight of UTBF’s lawyers were named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Lists for 2019. Included among this year’s Pennsylvania Super Lawyers are:

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8

Mar

Stephen P. Lagoy Serves as Mediator at ABA’s Regional Mediation Competition

Stephen P. Lagoy served as a mediator and judge at the American Bar Association’s Representation in Mediation Regional Competition held at the University of Maryland School of Law on February 23. Participating were ten teams representing the law schools of Emory University, the University of Buffalo, the University of Florida, the University of Maryland, …

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27

Jul

Every Partner at UTBF Named a 2018 Top Lawyer

The results are in…

Every partner in our firm was named among the 2018 “Top Lawyers”

We are pleased to announce that 16 attorneys at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees, including all partners, are named to Main Line Today’s “Top Lawyers” list for 2018.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Stephen P. Lagoy*

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22

May

Ten UTBF Attorneys Recognized By Super Lawyers® This Year

UTBF is pleased to announce that nearly half of the firm’s attorneys were included among this year’s “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars” lists.

This year’s “Super Lawyers” include:

Brian D. Boreman William J. Burke, III John K. Fiorillo David M. Frees, III Stephen P. Lagoy Andrew D.H. Rau READ MORE

31

Jul

Fifty Percent of UTBF Attorneys Named to Main Line Today’s Top Lawyers 2017

UNRUH TURNER BURKE & FREES is honored to have half the firm’s attorneys named to Main Line Today’s Top Lawyers list for 2017.

Litigation: Our litigation department concentrates on business disputes, construction claims, creditor’s rights, employment and labor disputes, estate and orphans court litigation, mortgage foreclosures, real estate contract and title disputes, and shareholder …

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23

May

UTBF Attorneys Re-appointed to Pennsylvania Bar Association Committees

Congratulations to Attorneys Stephen P. Lagoy on being reappointed to Pennsylvania Bar Association Committees. PBA President, Sharon R. Lopez re-appointed Mr. Lagoy and Ms. Glidden to serve on the PBA Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee.

The ADR Committee works on addressing current issues in mediation and arbitration, including promoting professional education programs, monitoring …

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18

May

Nearly Half of UTBF’s Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in 2017

Eight of the 19 attorneys at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees have been recognized by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for 2017. Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters rating service and publication, selects outstanding attorneys by utilizing a multi-phase selection process involving peer nomination, independent research and peer evaluation. Only 5 percent of Pennsylvania attorneys receive the …

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6

Oct

Steve Lagoy Serves as Panelist in Chester County Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Seminars

Firm partner Steve Lagoy served as a panelist in two Chester County Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution continuing legal education seminars on October 4, 2016 titled “Mediating Disputes in Different Contexts” and “Self Determination in Mediation – What is it?” Steve is Co-chair of the CCBA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section and is often called …

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15

Aug

Six Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Attorneys Recognized as “2016 Top Lawyers” by Main Line Today Magazine

Six Unruh Turner Burke & Frees attorneys have been named to the 2016 Top Lawyers list by Main Line Today Magazine. The annual list of top local attorneys, as chosen by their peers, appeared in the August 2016 issue of Main Line Today. Please join us in congratulating:

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25

May

Nine UTBF Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

Utilizing a multi-phase selection process involving peer nomination, independent research and peer evaluation, Super Lawyers®, a Thomson Reuters publication, has named eight Unruh Turner Burke and Frees attorneys as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® for 2016. One attorney has been named as a 2016 Pennsylvania Rising Star. Each year only 5 percent of Pennsylvania attorneys receive the …

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12

Dec

Cookies And Compromise: The Role Of Food In Mediation

Author: Stephen P. Lagoy

Anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that food occupies a fairly prominent position in my life. Even if you don’t know me, one look at my photograph ought to tell you that. For me (and I suspect the majority of people), food is not just sustenance. Food …

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20

Oct

Give it Time: Tips for Mediating the Litigated Personal Injury Case

Personal injury lawsuits are a category of disputes marked by several unique characteristics that must be taken into account by the mediator. While the underlying facts may vary from case to case, the great majority of injury cases have much in common, starting with the dissimilarity of the parties.

Plaintiffs come into the mediation having …

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24

Sep

Terms of Art In Alternative Dispute Resolution

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.”

Romeo and Juliet (II, ii,1-2)

Author: Stephen P. Lagoy

While it may have worked with the Montagues, Juliet’s soliloquy doesn’t fit in the lexicon of Alternative Dispute Resolution. As an ADR Practitioner, I am surprised …

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25

Jun

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Attorneys Recognized as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees is pleased to announce that eight of the firm’s attorneys have been selected as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for 2015. One additional attorney was named as 2015 Pennsylvania Rising Stars.

The lists appeared in the June 2015 issues of Philadelphia magazine and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine. Each year only 5 percent …

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31

Oct

CCBA Board Approves Mediation Program

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

At its September 15 meeting, the Board of Directors of CCBA approved the creation and implementation of a voluntary mediation program to be administered by the Bar Association.  The program design is the product of CCBA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, the members of which worked on the concept for the past …

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31

Oct

Why Mediation

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

Elsewhere in this issue you will read that CCBA has adopted a Mediation Program to be launched in 2011.  Some of you may ask, what is mediation?  What do mediators do?  Why should I care?  This article is intended to answer those questions.

Mediation may be defined most simply as facilitated …

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9

Jul

Pennsylvania officials seek mediation of Penn State University/NCAA dispute

Author: Stephen P. Lagoy

Pennsylvania Senator Jake Corman and State Treasurer Rob McCord have asked Commonwealth Court to order mediation of their lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association, in the hope of determining the use of Penn State University sanction funds as soon as possible. Their request was filed with the court came …

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9

May

Recent Pennsylvania Case Highlights Importance of Re-Stating Warrants of Attorney in Modification Documents

The recent Pennsylvania case The Bancorp Bank v. Mancini highlights the importance of re-stating warrants of attorney in modification documents involving Pennsylvania commercial loans.

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29

Jun

Chester County Mediator Explains Purpose of Caucus

By: Steve Lagoy

During  a mediation, open discussions between both sides and the mediator are important elements of this process. But not all discussions happen with all parties present. Sometimes the most productive parts of mediation occur in private talks that are kept confidential by the mediator.

After the mediator has gathered information …

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29

Jun

Pennsylvania Mediator Explains the Mediation Process

By: Steve Lagoy If you are trying to resolve a legal dispute and negotiations have failed, you may need to turn to mediation as a solution. Unlike a judge or arbitrator who decides the winner and the loser in any given case, a mediator’s job is to help both parties reach a mutually …

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28

Jun

Pennsylvania Mediator Discusses Whether Mediation is the Right Choice

By: Steve Lagoy Determining whether mediation is the right step in your estate, will or trust dispute can be confusing. Some people will automatically assume that court is the only answer. However, that isn’t always the case. You can ask yourself a few basic questions to see if mediation is right for …

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27

Jun

West Chester Mediator Explains Mediation Basics

By: Steve Lagoy

There are several advantages of mediation over traditional litigation in order to settle legal disputes. To find out whether mediation is the right approach for your case or to learn more about mediation basics, consult your attorney, and to hire a mediator, contact a Pennsylvania mediator.

What is Mediation? …

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14

Jun

How long does estate, trust and family business mediation take in Pennsylvania?

By: David M. Frees III & Steve Lagoy

Some mediation cases may take a half day or, at maximum, a full day of mediation, but estate, trust, and family business mediation processes can be substantially more complex and require several full days of mediation services before a mutually agreeable conclusion can be reached. …

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14

Jun

Pennsylvania Mediators Dispel 5 Mediation Myths

By: David M. Frees III & Steve Lagoy

You may have decided that mediation is a better option than litigation for your dispute in Pennsylvania. While that may be true, it’s important to know some of the myths surrounding this process.

The first myth is that mediation is always the best option …

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14

Jun

What is the cost of estate mediation in Pennsylvania?

By: David M. Frees III & Steve Lagoy

The cost of estate mediation depends on the dispute resolution needs that you and your particular situation require, but most Pennsylvania mediator services make several fee arrangements available to their clients, such as paying by the hour or paying a flat fee for a half …

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14

Jun

Who uses mediation to solve trust disputes in Pennsylvania?

By: David M. Frees III & Steve Lagoy

An estate dispute can break out when the inheritors of a given decedent are unable to agree on the distribution of assets in the decedent’s estate. This can happen because there was no will, the will is being challenged, or the will did not incorporate …

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13

Jun

Can we use mediation to avoid suing an executor in Pennsylvania?

Mediation can and has been effectively used to avoid suing an executor who breached his or her responsibility to a decedent’s estate in Pennsylvania. You may benefit by discussing the details of your situation with a mediation attorney.

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13

Jun

How Small Business Mediation can Help Your Company in Malvern, Pennsylvania

By: Steve Lagoy

When a small business faces conflicts or disputes with employees, clients, vendors or other businesses, they are often difficult to resolve. Small businesses typically lack the legal, public relations and human resources departments necessary to handle a major conflict. When this occurs, many turn to small business mediation, a type …

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13

Jun

When to Use Small Business Mediation in West Chester, Pennsylvania

By: Steve Lagoy

Mediation can be a great choice for small businesses looking to resolve a conflict quickly and quietly. Whether it is a dispute or disagreement within the company itself, or an issue with another business government entity, vendor, or client, small business mediation aims to provide an agreeable solution for both parties …

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21

Feb

PHFA Model Notice – No Safe Harbor – The Extensive Implications of Beneficial Consumer Discount Co. v. Vukmam

By: Kristen Wetzel Ladd

The Pennsylvania Superior Court issued a recent decision which may impact many pending mortgage foreclosure actions and cause lenders to look more closely at notices that are sent. The case involved the question of whether the Act 91 Notice (required under 35 P.S. § 1680.403c) sent by Beneficial to a mortgagor …

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1

Nov

Action Under Note vs. Mortgage Foreclosure

Here is the excerpt field to use for interesting text so they click read more. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla est nisl, mattis vel rutrum sed, dignissim vel mi.

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9

Mar

Mediation May Be Key to Saving the 2011 NFL Season

With the future of a $9 billion revenue stream at state, NFL owners and players have turned to mediation for help in finding common ground.  Representatives of the two sides met with Mediator George Cohen for 8 hours on March 1 at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in Washington, D.C.  After 9 months of …

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11

Jan

Ohio Foreclosure Mediation Programs Are Successful

In the face of the rising tide of mortgage foreclosures, mediation programs in three Ohio counties are having very positive results. Foreclosure mediation initiatives in Warren, Greene and Montgomery Counties differ in the processes by which services are provided.

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1

Apr

Securities Arbitration: FINRA May Reconstitute Panels

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which administers the arbitration program to which brokerage customers must bring their complaints, is considering using arbitration panels comprising all “non-industry” members.  Presently, panels must include at least one industry member among the three-person panel.  The remaining member(s) are “public” (i.e. from outside the …

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31

Mar

Chrysler Changes Its Tune On Terminated Dealers

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

After initially indicating that terminated dealers would be reinstated through the federally-mandated arbitration procedure or not at all [see blog post: Chrysler and GM Take Different Approaches to Dealer Arbitration], Chrysler now says that it will offer to reinstate 50 of the 789 dealerships it terminated last year.  The …

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15

Mar

Chrysler and GM Take Different Approaches to Dealer Arbitration

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

Unlike GM, which has notified more than half of its terminated dealers that they will be offered reinstatement without going to arbitration, Chrysler has announced that dealer reinstatement will occur through arbitration, or not at all.  The key difference in the approaches of the two auto manufacturers may lie in …

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15

Mar

Second Offense DUI….Do I have Options?

By: Christoper L. Turner

If you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), and this is your second offense, you may be wondering if you have options concerning sentencing. In other words, is there any alternative punishment options to the mandatory penalties imposed under the DUI laws? Fortunately, there are.

The …

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16

Feb

Baseball Arbitration: Part III

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

Baseball arbitrations (see previous blog posts here and here) have become increasingly rare as the owners and players opt to negotiate a contract rather than place their fate in the hands of an arbitration panel. The only exception thus far this year has been the case of READ MORE

5

Feb

1400 GM and Chrysler Dealers Request Arbitration

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

The American Arbitration Association reports that more than 1400 auto dealerships have already applied for arbitration under the government-mandated program for terminated dealerships. AAA will assemble panels to decide the cases over the next 6 months but expects that many cases will settle. For more on the reaction of both …

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15

Jan

GM outlines arbitration process for dealer reinstatement arbitration

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

General Motors is prepared to proceed with a Congressionally-mandated program that will allow 2000 of GM’s closed dealerships to appeal the closure decision through an independent arbitration process. Dealers who want to file for reinstatement must do so through the American Arbitration Association and commence arbitration by Jan. 25. Under …

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22

Dec

Baseball Arbitration: Part II

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

At this time of year, sports pages are filled with articles about whether or not major league baseball teams have “offered arbitration” to their free agent players. What does this mean and what are the implications of the decision? For a primer on this subject, see http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/the-arbitration-decision/. For a …

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21

Dec

Arbitration Process for Rejected Chrysler and GM Dealers Is Now The Law

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

The President has signed into law a program giving closed auto dealerships access to neutral arbitration if they want to be reinstated. The process begins immediately and is expected to take six and one half months. For more information on how the auto dealer arbitration process will work see:

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10

Dec

Car Dealers To Use Mediation and Arbitration

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

Congress has approved a plan that would allow 2000 terminated car dealers to pursue third party mediation and arbitration with GM and Chrysler with the possibility of being reinstated. For an analysis of this alternative dispute resolution process and its chances of being successful, see http://online.wsj.com/article/.

For more information …

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2

Dec

Baseball Arbitration: Part I

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

At this time of year, sports pages are filled with articles about whether or not major league baseball teams have “offered arbitration” to their free agent players.   What does this mean and what are the implications of the decision?  For a primer on this subject, see http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/the-arbitration-decision/READ MORE

26

Oct

Streamlined Binding Arbitration

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

An insurance industry group will experiment with an expedited form of binding arbitration designed for small, uncomplicated disputes. The Association of Insurance and Reinsurance Run-Off Companies has announced the development of a new streamlined dispute resolution procedure the elements of which include a single arbitrator, discounted fee structure, and no …

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19

Oct

Cookies and Compromise

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

An experienced commercial mediator told me about a recent mediation in which there was a great deal of animosity among the parties, so much so that they refused to be in the same room at any point in the mediation. During the course of the mediation, my colleague served several …

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25

Sep

Investment Losses and Arbitration

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

Investment losses? Here’s an article that explains how you may be able to use arbitration to recover.

http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/Fund-Observer/2009/09/23/could-arbitration-help-you-recover-investment-losses.html

For more information on how arbitration, mediation and alternate dispute resolution can help you and your business, contact our office.

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2

Sep

Arbitrators: What is their value?

by: Stephen P. Lagoy

Here is an article from the Dallas Morning News on arbitrators that you may find interesting.  For more information on how alternative dispute resolution, mediation or arbitration could help you, please contact our office.

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24

Aug

Large Corporations Use “Early Intervention” ADR to Control Litigation Costs

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

It has been estimated that, if all costs are included, Fortune 500 Companies’ total litigation costs average about one-third of their after-tax profits!  This fact has led large corporations to increasingly utilize creative non-traditional approaches to dispute resolution.  One advantage of private dispute resolution is that the parties can customize …

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14

Aug

Justice O’Connor’s view on Arbitration

By: Stephen P.  Lagoy

You may find interesting retired Justice O’Connor’s view on arbitration in this excerpt from the August 10, 2009 on line edition of the Wall Street Journal:

WSJ: Has your circuit service affected your views of mediation, arbitration and other alternatives to litigation?

Justice O’Connor: Well, I have been a strong advocate …

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7

Aug

How the Arbitration Process Works

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

If you are interested in how the arbitration process works, read this article from a recent edition of Forbes Magazine.

For more information on types of alternate dispute resolution, please contact our office.

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27

Jul

How Comprehensive Mediation Can Work For You

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

As reported in the National Catholic Reporter Online Edition, several sex abuse cases in the Chicago Archdiocese were recently settled through the use of a Comprehensive Mediation Process. To view the article in the National Catholic Reporter about their successful use of arbitration and mediation, click here.

For …

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16

Jun

Baseball Arbitration – Could it work for you?

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

One approach to alternative dispute resolution is called “baseball arbitration.” It is patterned after major league baseball’s salary arbitration rule. This is the rule that was saved by then U.S. District Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, when she issued an injunction ending a long player strike …

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9

Jun

Arbitration alternative in resolving franchise disputes

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

If you are considering arbitration, here’s an article that may be of interest to you. Please contact Stephen Lagoy to discuss whether arbitration might be beneficial to resolve disputes for you or your company.

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8

Jun

Auto insurance: uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

When someone asks, “How much insurance coverage do you have,” most people respond with the limits of their liability coverage. This coverage protects you from claims and lawsuits by others for automobile-related injuries that you may have caused. In essence, liability insurance protects other people from your negligence.  There is …

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3

Jun

Auto insurance: full tort vs. limited tort

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

Selecting “full tort” coverage gives you the unlimited right to sue for automobile-related non-economic damages such as pain and suffering caused by the carelessness of another driver. In contrast, “limited tort” coverage allows you to sue for these damages only if you suffer a “serious injury”. Under the law, “serious …

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2

Jun

Auto Insurance: what’s the best protection for you and your family?

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

You and your family are at risk from automobile-related injuries if you don’t have both full tort and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages at the maximum permissible levels under your policy.  Many people decline these coverages because they believe that, by doing so, they will reduce the cost of their automobile insurance.  …

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19

Feb

Why Mediation?

By: Stephen P. Lagoy

Mediation may be defined most simply as facilitated negotiation.  Unlike litigation and arbitration, mediation does NOT involve a decision maker nor are there formal proofs or arguments.  Its goals include avoiding or breaking impasses, diffusing controversy, and encouraging parties to generate settlement options.  These goals are foreign to the adversarial …

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21

Jan

Unruh, Turner, Burke & Frees – Litigation

Welcome to the Litigation Section’s blog. Our firm is located in West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. This blog is intended to provide a litigator’s perspective on a wide range of specific legal issues, along with commentary on emerging legal trends. The content is intended to be useful to individuals and …

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West Chester, PA
17 West Gay Street
P.O. BOX 515
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 692-1371
Phoenixville, PA
120 Gay Street
P.O. Box 289
Phoenixville, PA 19460
(610) 933-8069