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News from Elliott and Davis

Because we're still current on legal headlines with yesterday's post, I thought it prudent to post about some exciting news that is happening in the world of Elliott & Davis. Just this summer another lawyer had joined your friendly neighborhood law firm. Here is a copy of the newsletter that was sent out by Eric Davis:

I am writing to share some exciting news from the law firm of Elliott & Davis, PC. We are pleased to announce that Joshua Siebert has recently joined the firm. His practice focuses on appellate litigation in criminal, civil, and administrative law, and on PCRA and habeas corpus matters. Joshua also has experience as a civil litigator in matters ranging from asbestos to mass torts, derived from his litigation experience with a prominent regional litigation firm. Joshua brings to the firm a new suite of skills that enables us to provide experienced counsel in all aspects of litigation, from arbitration to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and beyond. Joshua also can assist you with corporate and non-profit matters, as well as preliminary hearings, DUIs, and other smaller criminal matters. And as his employment history makes clear, he can provide expert counsel to attorneys on all aspects of legal writing, from contracts to complex briefs.


Joshua's appellate practice is strengthened by no fewer than five years of experience as a clerk to judges and justices on the Pennsylvania Superior and Supreme Courts, as well as his experience as a student intern to two federal judges, including the late Honorable Carol Los Mansmann of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He has reviewed and analyzed hundreds, if not thousands, of appellate matters, including petitions for review before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, king's bench matters, and capital appeals. During his clerkships, he participated in the preparation of well over 100 opinions, and analyzed hundreds of draft opinions prepared by other jurists. As a practitioner, Joshua has prepared briefs and petitions before the Pennsylvania Superior and Supreme Courts, the West Virginia Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on topics as diverse as asbestos and securities fraud.


Armed with his inside knowledge of the courts, Joshua can assist clients and other attorneys in all phases of the appellate process, from pre-trial consultations on potential appellate issues requiring careful preservation at trial, to appearing before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court - and the whole spectrum of appellate tasks between.





As a civil litigator, Joshua was national counsel to a Fortune 500 concern on product liability matters. He has entered appearances all over the country, and conducted all phases of discovery in multi-million-dollar wrongful death matters. He has also served as defense counsel on a range of civil matters, including insurance, asbestos, personal injury, employment matters and others, and plaintiff's counsel on a wrongful death matter.

Joshua conducted his undergraduate studies in english and philosophy at Rutgers University in New Jersey, graduating with high honors. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law magnum cum laude in 2003. While there, Joshua served as Senior Topics Editor to the University of Pittsburgh Law Review and published an award-winning article on procedural due process.

If you require or anyone you know requires assistance with PCRA or appellate matters, or representation in civil or criminal litigation, Joshua is ready to provide informed and capable assistance. If you require assistance with thorny legal issues, whether before, during, or after trial, from motions and briefs in support to petitions or briefs before the Pennsylvania appellate courts, he is ready to assist you in every way.

As you know, our firm has continued to grow and expand our capacities as a full-service law firm with expertise in the areas of corporate law, nonprofit law, real estate law, estates & trusts, intellectual property law, employment law, technology law, personal injury law, civil litigation, immigration law, adoption law and domestic relations law. Now, we count appellate law among our many capabilities. As a truly full-service law firm, we are well qualified to assist you with all your personal and business legal needs.

Referrals are critical to the ongoing success of our business. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think might be interested in learning more about our firm or its newest addition.

Check out our new website at http://www.elliott-davis.com for more information.

Hope You Are Having A Great Summer,

Eric Davis

Questions, Comments, Concerns about your own legal matters? Elliott & Davis offers free 30 minute legal consultations! 412-780-0008 and of course you can always contact us via blog, Facebook and Twitter!

Recapping Legal Headlines

After a short summer hiatus, ResIpsaBlogger has returned with a lot of legal headlines to catch up on.  Here's what's on deck:

The Trial of Warren Jeffs
The trial of polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs certainly didn't get the coverage of the Casey Anthony trial, but it was just as big of a circus.  After firing five of his attorneys, Jeffs opted to represent himself, which was more of an opportunity for him to preach to the jury rather than actually defend himself.  His closing argument of "I am at peace." didn't help his cause, and he was found guilty of sexual assault of a child.  The jury is currently deliberating his punishment.

72 Charged on Online Global Child Porn Ring
A horrific and indescribable case of crimes against children.  A child pornography ring, which physically and sexually abused children 12 years old and younger, was busted by the United States and abroad.  Of the group's 72 members, 50 have been arrested.

Homeless Man's Death leads to Father Suing the Police 
Kelly Thomas, a homeless schizophrenic, was arrested by police, who, according to reports, then shocked Thomas with a stun gun and beat him with flashlights while bystanders stood and recorded the incident.  He was taken off life support in the beginning of July and his father is now suing the California police department.  Declining a substantial settlement, Ron Thomas wants the city and this "rogue band of cops that believe they are above the law" held accountable for the death of his son.  This will be a case to keep an eye on.

Android's Patent Troubles

Google's chief legal counsel recent lashed out against Apple and Microsoft for waging an anti-competitive was against Google through so called "bogus patents."  But, as is the case with many areas of the law (technology in particular), the answer isn't so black-and-white.  As Philip Elmer-DeWitt notes in his column for CNN, Google is on shaky ground, having possibly infringed upon the patents of its competitors.


Questions, Comments, Concerns about your own legal matters?  Elliott & Davis offers free 30 minute legal consultations!  412-780-0008 and of course you can always contact us via blog, Facebook and Twitter!

Legal Headlines, Week 6

Another Wednesday is upon us, which means another set of legal headlines from your friendly neighborhood law firm.  Here's what's in the news:

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
 Blagojevich caught national attention when it was rumored that he tried to appoint President Obama's vacant Senate seat after the 2008 Presidential Election.  Last summer Blagojevich was on trial for similar charges but was only convicted of lying to the FBI-- a crime with a five year prison sentence.  For fans of Balgojevich, don't fret,  I sense an appeal is in your future.

Woman fired over Headscarf
A headscarf is often a very misunderstood symbol of Islam and is often associated with oppression and terrorism.  A young California woman was hired at a local Abercrombie & Fitch store and went to the interview wearing her headscarf.  Upon hiring, she was told the headscarf was fine as long as it fit the store dress code colors.  Several months later, she was fired when she was told to work without wearing the headscarf; something that she said was simply unacceptable.  This trial has potential to set First Amendment precedent related to dress codes that are dictated in scripture.  I'm anxious to see where this will go.

TRIAL UPDATE!!
A few weeks ago, I posted about the trial of  Richard Poplawski.  The trial has concluded, and the defendant Poplawski was sentanced to death, by lethal injection.  Judge Jeffrey A. Manning has set a formal sentencing hearing for September 6 for the remainder of Poplawski's charges, which include attempted murder and assault on a law officer, related to the other police he fired upon.


Forceful Medication on the Table for Arizona Shooting Suspect
As we watch the amazing recovery of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, we are left wondering if she, as well as the other victims of the Arizona Shooting, will ever recieve justice.  Earlier this month, it was said that the trial of Arizona shooter Jared Loughner was too incompetent to stand trial.  Now it seems the judge is looking to forcibly medicate Loughner, which his attorneys argue is a violation of his First Amendment rights.  Yet, it would get his schizophrenia under control, and thus allow him be able to stand trial.  There's no telling what the ruling will be in this case.

Questions, Comments, Concerns about your own legal matters?  Elliott & Davis offers free 30 minute legal consultations!  412-780-0008 and of course you can always contact us via blog, Facebook and Twitter!

Light Blogging This Week

Ladies and gentleman, I had the utmost intention of updating the blog properly during my week at lovely Topsail, North Carolina. However, due to a spotty internet connection, I wasn't able do my usual research and update the blog properly- hence why links, photos, and other lovely blog appendages are not readily available for your blog reading pleasure.

Never fear! I will return with double legal headlines next week as well as an exciting posts about womens' driving rights in Saudi Arabia. Why this particular topic, you may ask? You'll just have to wait and see next Friday!

Stay tuned for more excitement from your friendly neighborhood law firm!

Questions, Comments, Concerns about your own legal matters?  Elliott & Davis offers free 30 minute legal consultations!  412-780-0008 and of course you can always contact us via blog, Facebook and Twitter!

Legal Headlines Mid-Week, 4

Ah, another Wensday is upon us, just waiting to be enlightened by the legal headlines, mid-week.  So, what's on deck?

The Barefoot Bandit Pleads "Not Guilty"

Do any of you remember this case?  For those of you that may have forgotten, the alleged bandit, Colton Harris-Moore, had the police on a wild goose chase for two long years, eluding the cops by his constant theft of boats, planes and cars, while barefoot.  (With all his shenanigans you would have thought he might have taken the time to steal some form of footwear...but I digress)  Upon his capture in the Bahamas he was extradited to the US.  The defense suggests that a deal is in the works and could be agreed upon as early as tomorrow.


Casey Anthony's Prosecution to Finish This Week
As the prosecution wraps up their case this week,  the jury is yet again presented with the gruesome facts of this case.  Young Caylee Anthony's body was found, decomposed, with duct tape wrapped around the skull. The defense now has a difficult time, with all this evidence, sticking to their claim that Caylee had drowned in the pool and her death just went unreported for psychological reasons.  We're going to keep our eyes on this one. 


Jury Selected in Richard Poplowski Case

How about something local for a change?  For you readers who aren't from Pittsburgh, here's a major case that many are happy to finally see under way.  Defendant Richad Poplowski is being accused with the murder of three Pittsburgh police officers.  As the police were coming to the Poplowski residence in response to a 911 call,  he opened fire killing all three officers on the scene.  It was a shock that the jury was selected so quickly because, owing to the media coverage, people believed it would be difficult to find a jury that would give a fair trial.  Only time will tell. 


And, my personal favorite for the week:


Grandmother Accused of Gang Activity
The last person you would expect of gang activity would be a sweet, innocent granny.  Yet, these are the accusations of her landlord who has presented her with an eviction notice, citing her involvement with a gang.  Despite her friends and neighbors claiming that the accusations are false, she may still be evicted.  She's lived in the same apartment for 30 years which means that she has either been a gang member during her longterm stay at this residence, or her landlord is just looking for a reason to get rid of her.


Questions, Comments, Concerns about your own legal matters?  Elliott & Davis offers free 30 minute legal consultations!  412-780-0008 and of course you can always contact us via blog, Facebook and Twitter!

Legal Headlines Mid-Week, 3

Another Wensday is upon us, which means another stack of new and noteworthy legal headlines to keep our eyes on!  Here's what's in the news:

Jaycee Dugard's Release of Her Horrific Experiences in Captivity

The title speaks for itself; one can only imagine the horrifc torture that this poor girl had to endure during her eighteen years in captivity.  Now free, and with her kidnapper behind bars, Jaycee Dugard bravely recalls the details of her ordeal. 

John Edwards Indicted
He just can't seem to stay out of trouble.  After the details were released of his affair during his presidential campaign his reputation had been on a continuous decline.  Accused of inappropraite use of campaign funds and conspiracy, Edwards has now lost all hope of a presidential bid anytime soon. Currently he's seeking a deal that would exclude any jail time.  We'll keep you posted!

Strauss-Kahn Pleads Not Guilty
It seems like months have passed since Strauss-Kahn was arrested for alleged sexual assault.  Now his case is back in the forfront of media attention with his plea of "not guilty" to the charges against him.  He currently is being held in his Manhattan apartment, under constant surveillance, until his trial.  This French presidential hopeful will be a constant in the summer news, so stay tuned!

Good Samaritan Assaulted- Dies
A good deed never goes unpunished, especially in this instance.  Fifty three year old Jose Guadalupe Garcia stopped to help a man in a disabled van on the side of the road.  When he reached out to shake the driver of the van's hand, he was assaulted and was taken to the hospital and was listed under critical condition.  He later died of his injuries.

Questions, Comments, Concerns about your own legal matters?  Elliott & Davis offers free 30 minute legal consultations!  412-780-0008 and of course you can always contact us via blog, Facebook and Twitter!