Moving any piece of civil litigation through the court system is an important aspect of service to the client.  Efficiency in advocacy is critical to representation.  A litigator must be aware of the local landscape and use that backdrop to the client’s advantage where possible.  Knowing when action is required or not required, ascertaining deadlines and effectively communicating with court administration and staff enhances the representation of the client.  Moreover, awareness of local practice allows the litigator to focus on substantive issues pertinent to the matter without becoming bogged down by the mechanism by which those substantive issues will be presented to the Court.  

The Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, like many jurisdictions, maintains practices and procedures unique to the practice of law in the County relating to issues and matters such as discovery, scheduling of preliminary injunction hearings, local rules relating to other matters such as timing of memoranda in support of motions and responses, jury selection, voir dire and the order of presentation.  These areas can be problematic to the out of county practitioner.  

The attorneys at Antheil Maslow & MacMinn have more than 50 years’ combined experience in the practice of civil litigation in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas.  Throughout those years, the attorneys of the Firm have navigated the procedural landscape in the Bucks County courts, developed an understanding of the principles upon which the procedures are based and personally encountered many of the procedural pitfalls which may entrap an unwary litigator unfamiliar with the unique set of practices and procedures which govern the practice of law in this County. Along with easy access to the Courthouse, the Firm possesses the most up-to-date technology for the transfer of information to the Courthouse and communication with court administration, clients and other parties. The combination of experience and technology renders Antheil Maslow & MacMinn uniquely situated to serve as local counsel in a cost-effective and efficient manner.     

Several regional and national firms, recognizing the benefit of local counsel, have retained Antheil Maslow & MacMinn to serve in that role.  We stand ready to provide the insight and guidance of local knowledge gained through years of practice in the community in which we live and work.           

Susan Maslow and Patty Collins spoke before approximately 60 medical residents in the Family Practice/Emergency Medicine Program of Aria Health at the Torresdale Hospital Campus, on Thursday, January 31st.  The presentation featured an analysis of common employment agreement issues and insight into how negotiations with potential employers has been impacted by the new hospital consortium landscape.

Antheil Maslow & MacMinn is proud to participate in Bucks County's newly established Veterans ID Card Discount Program.  The firm is offering discounted estate planning documents to eligible cardholders.  This program established by the Bucks County Commissioners, Department of Veterans Affairs and the Recorder of Deeds in November 2012 offers all Bucks County Veterans and active duty personnel a free photo ID which entitles them to discounts from a wide variety of local vendors and service providers.  By showing their DD-214 discharge form, they will be able to receive a color photo identification card.  To see the full list of participating businesses click here.

Antheil Maslow & MacMinn Attorney Tim White has been named one of  Bucks County’s  Forty Under Forty Inaugural Class.  This award recognizes not only business success, but community service, and we are very proud that Tim was honored in this way.  He is well respected in the Bucks County Legal Community, and has a dynamic and growing estate planning practice.  In addition, Tim makes real and enthusiastic contributions to local charitable organizations.  Tim is a real credit to the firm.

Starting a business can be an exciting and challenging time.  There are complex legal issues to take into consideration, but the rewards are often worth the trouble.  The Corporate practice group at Antheil Maslow & MacMinn, LLP understands that it is important to construct a solid foundation as you begin to build your business enterprise, and there are fundamental decisions that a business owner must make. 

To make your business’s start easier, better organized, and more cost effective, our practice offers new small business owners bundled entity formation services which include the following:

1.    Formation Documents – Our office will prepare and file the appropriate formation
       documents for your new business, including:
       a.  Corporations: Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Stock Certificates, Waiver Agreement and preparation of
             legal publications*
       b.  LLCs: Certificates of Organization, Operating Agreement

2.    Tax – Our office will ensure that your new business has filed and made the appropriate tax
       filings and elections at the direction of your accountant:
       a.  SS4/EIN application
       b.  S-Election/Check-the-box

3.    Our office will provide you with a detailed instruction letter along with the organizational
       documents to make sure that you and your business do not have a rough start.

Fee Structure:

Fixed Fee for Corporations of $1,000 (includes all filing fees & minute book)*

Fixed Fee for LLCs of  $750 (includes all filing fees & minute book)

*Legal publication fees are not included.

Tom Donnelly, a partner of Antheil Maslow & MacMinn, LLP, represented Prospere, Inc. in applying for tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Recognition of exemption status was granted on October 18, 2012.

Tom is proud to support the efforts of Prospere, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the creation, administration and funding of a young adult outward bound program of treatment and rehabilitation.  Operating in conjunction with the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, graduates of the outward bound program may have criminal sentences reduced so as to facilitate reentry into society.  The program is based upon personal experiences faced by young adults involved in the criminal justice system, with the hope that with the right treatment and rehabilitation, these young adults can reach a level of success which the traditional criminal justice system may have prevented.

Prospere, Inc. provides funding for participants to the program; however, its resources are limited.  By obtaining tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Prospere, Inc. can accept donations from the general public, including individuals with ties to the criminal justice system, and such donations may be deducted on the donor’s individual income tax returns.

Should you have questions concerning the creation of a non-profit entity or the acquisition of recognition of exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, do not hesitate to contact Tom.

Sue Maslow and Tim White of Antheil Maslow & MacMinn, LLP will be presenters at the National Business Institute's Seminar entitled "How to Keep Tax-Exempt Organizations in Compliance" on November 13th in Allentown, PA.  This seminar offers invaluable insights into compliance with the complex rules governing tax-exempt organizations.  For anyone involved in non-profit work, you should know that even inadvertently breaking the rules can jeopardize tax-exempt status.  This seminar will provide the information you need to stay current on the latest regulations, study the impact of Sarbanes-Oxley on tax-exempt organizations, avoid intermediate sanctions and ensure accounting practices are up to par.  The program will supply answers to questions about tax-exempt compliance and operational issues.  Here are some of the topics covered:
•    Gaining strategies for safeguarding directors, officers and executives from potential liability;
•    Creating an environment of accountability by establishing comprehensive internal controls;
•    Following annual reporting requirements and compliance with the rules governing disclosures and solicitation;
•    Learning to identify what qualifies as unrelated business income - and what the exceptions are.

Anyone who works in the Nonprofit sector may want to register for this comprehensive educational program.

Sue Maslow and Tim White of Antheil Maslow & MacMinn, LLP will be presenters at the National Business Institute's Seminar entitled "How to Keep Tax-Exempt Organizations in Compliance" on November 13th in Allentown, PA.  This seminar offers invaluable insights into compliance with the complex rules governing tax-exempt organizations.  For anyone involved in non-profit work, you should know that even inadvertently breaking the rules can jeopardize tax-exempt status.  This seminar will provide the information you need to stay current on the latest regulations, study the impact of Sarbanes-Oxley on tax-exempt organizations, avoid intermediate sanctions and ensure accounting practices are up to par.  The program will supply answers to questions about tax-exempt compliance and operational issues.  Here are some of the topics covered:

• Gaining strategies for safeguarding directors, officers and executives from potential liability;
• Creating an environment of accountability by establishing comprehensive internal controls;
• Following annual reporting requirements and compliance with the rules governing disclosures and solicitation;
• Learning to identify what qualifies as unrelated business income - and what the exceptions are;
• Adhering to the accepted guidelines for determining appropriate executive compensation.

If you work for a tax-exempt organization, you may want to sign up for this valuable seminar.  You can register by visiting www.nbi-sems.com or call 800-930-6182.

AMM Partner Tom Donnelly  participated in the MS 150 City to Shore bike tour September 29 and 30, 2012. As a member of team VCI Mobility, Tom helped raise over twelve thousand dollars for the National MS Society. The event raised more than 5 million dollars and was attended by nearly eight thousand riders.  To learn more about this great event, or to contribute to help those with Multiple Sclerosis, click here

We are so grateful to all who took the time to help us celebrate our 20th Anniversary by attending our Barbecue.  It was a picture perfect day, and we really enjoyed catching up with our friends and watching the bike race from our "front yard". We had a great turn out for our event, and we hope our guests enjoyed it as much as we did.  Thanks to all who attended, and if you weren't able to join us, we hope you'll keep us in mind for next year.