Municipal and Government Liability

Stevens & Lee has substantial experience representing public sector clients in a wide variety of litigation matters. This group is led by Donald E. Wieand, Jr., who has tried more than 40 civil rights cases to verdict in federal courts in the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania. We have extensive experience in defending governmental entities, public officials and public employees in all manner of Section 1983 civil rights litigation, including constitutional challenges to assessment practices, employment decisions, prison conditions and police and law enforcement conduct, including allegations of the use of excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution and illegal search and seizure. We have also litigated issues of constitutional law, such as freedom of speech, freedom of association and alleged violations of due process in state and federal courts.

Other members of the team include:

  • Patrick D. Kennedy and Maeve E. Cannon have extensive experience litigating the host of issues that arise during the procurement, bidding, bonding and contract process. Cannon and Mr. Kennedy have also served as general counsel or special counsel to numerous public bodies.  Ms. Cannon is currently general counsel to Ewing Township (New Jersey) and previously served as general counsel to Princeton Borough and the Trenton Housing Authority.  Mr. Kennedy previously served as general counsel to the Stafford Municipal Utilities Authority.  Both have served as special counsel to several  public bodies, including NJ Transit, Kean University, Stockton University, the New Jersey Housing Mortgage Financing Authority, and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority.
  • Blake C. Marles has represented nearly 50 municipalities, litigating or negotiating to conclusion such matters as territorial disputes among authorities, zoning enforcement, zoning changes, the propriety of municipal exactions such as recreation fees and authority exactions such as tapping and connection fees, land development denials, mandamus defense, building code appeals, tax assessment appeals, groundwater remediation, dissolution of authorities and actions to prevent the dissolution of authorities, as well as litigation involving public officials’ errors and omissions.
  • Mark D. Bradshaw has represented state and local government clients in a significant number of eminent domain proceedings.
  • Daniel B. Huyett has successfully defended two Pennsylvania counties, through trial and appeals, when their legislation of a hotel tax to encourage tourism was attacked on constitutional grounds.
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