Monthly Archives: September 2016

We covered the coming changes to Pennsylvania’s Mechanic’s Lien Law at our most recent Seminar Series program. As a follow up to that presentation, the following is a primer on the coming changes.

The Construction Backlog Indicator, or CBI, is a tool that measures backlog as an indicator of the health of the construction industry. The CBI is presently offering mixed signals to the market. While multi-national and large construction firms are showing the largest backlogs in history, this seems to correspond with a decrease in backlog for medium sized and small contractors.

A plethora of laws have been passed in recent years attempting to put more strict regulation on the construction industry – particularly residential construction – as it relates to payment and fraud. While there are voices on both sides of the debate as it relates to whether the laws are necessary and reasonable, there should be little doubt that the repercussions for failing to heed the recent trend are potentially serious.

Army-Navy Cup, the annual battle between the soccer teams from Army and Navy, is now in its 5th year. Kaplin Stewart is proud to return as a sponsor for the event for a third consecutive year.

In the first 2 posts of this series, we talked about why even the best of contracts don’t prevent all litigation and provided some tips on how to manage risk in a way that minimizes the chances of seeing the inside of a courtroom. In reality, the best approach is an integrated one that includes preparing the most appropriate contract possible (understanding there is no such thing as a perfect one), providing good leadership, and managing the risk in the field. It is this last component that is the subject of this final post.

One of the surest signs that fall has arrived is the start of the college football season. In a town that adores its pro team, the Philadelphia Eagles, college football is gaining a little more attention these days. One of the primary reasons for this is the return of Temple football, which was literally on the school’s chopping blocks a short time ago, beginning to make noise at the top level on a somewhat consistent basis. The next step for the program seems to be moving into its own stadium.

n an opinion issued in July, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court categorically declared the award of attorneys’ fees and penalties under the Pennsylvania Prompt Pay Act to be discretionary. While the statute itself contains language which suggests such an outcome, the Court’s decision in Scott Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Allentown formally settles an issue which many construction practitioners understood differently and argued differently in litigation.

Wishing all those who work so hard to help build this country and make her great a wonderful Labor Day. Thanks for all you do and for letting Kaplin Stewart be part of your great industry.