Witch hunts are as American as Apple Tarts.

No. 1,203 Three people can keep a secret, Ben Franklin once wrote, if two of them are dead. And when the secret inevitably is revealed . . .. as Ricky used to say to Lucy, somebody has a lot of ‘splaining to do. Maybe so, but not to us, the public. Whether somebody’s email address […]

Yes, Virginia, it is possible to work yourself to death in Pennsylvania.

Robert Dietz was one of those unfortunate souls you see out in the cold weather repairing utility lines while you pass by in your warm comfortable car. He was jackhammer operator on a water line repair crew. On the day/night in question he went to work at about six AM and was still hard at it at about 9:30 PM, when he had a heart attack and died.

Is it Unconstitutional to Make Sleeping in Public a Crime?

No. 1,201 Here’s a very interesting article from Jurist, the Pitt Law School publication that follows legal news around the world. The Justice Department is attacking a Boise City ordinance that prohibits slewing in public. Since everybody has to sleep, it is argued, this makes it a crime to be homeless. The article gives a […]

From the Archives: Philadelphia’s Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program — July 2008.

No. 1,200 In order to celebrate Post No. 1,200, I am reprinting one of the first posts I wrote in this blog, dated July 21, 2008. At the time, the effects of the mortgage bubble collapse were being felt, including in Pittsburgh. Hundreds of mortgage foreclosure actions were being filed followed by default judgments in […]

Why Blog? 10.5 Reasons.

Lawyers are often advised by marketing professionals to blog because it is good marketing. The AVVO blog recently announced an inexpensive and easy to use blogging vehicle for lawyers. If you have a modest marketing budget, investing in a blog will buy you more effective advertising than any other vehicle, including Google pay per click ads.

Why Does Anyone Like Donald J. Trump?

Everybody knows at least one person just like that big blow-hard Donald J. Trump. Self-absorbed. Insults people. Behaves in a flamboyant and unguarded manner. But nobody likes such a person. And when he is someone with power over you, life can be nearly intolerable.

So why does anyone like Donald J. Trump?

Does UTPCPL Apply to Real Estate Sales?

No. 1,197 BENNETT v. A.T. MASTERPIECE HOMES, 40 A.ed 145, 2012 Pa. Super. 60 (2012). SCHWARTZ v. ROCKEY, 593 Pa. 536 (2007) At the present time, it is firmly established in case law that the Unfair Trade Practices Consumer Protection Law, 73 P.S. § 201 et seq. may be applied in real estate transactions. The […]

Real Estate: Don’t TRID on Me.

If it applies to you, you have heard plenty about the the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID). Be advised that you will undoubtedly hear a lot more before August 1 — the day of implementation. And you have probably heard about the so-called grace period — whereby the feds at CFPB are giving lenders and closers a little bit of slack on the enforcement. Good luck on that.

The UTPCPL Catch-all Provision and Common Law Fraud.

The Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL) contains 20 specifically enumerated sections where its provisions apply and one “catch-all” provision. The catch-all provision is set forth in 73 Pa.S.A. Â§ 201-2(4)(xxi).

Nice Guy He Wasn’t!

No. 1,153 Is it possible that the common usage of the word “guy” has its origins with Guy Fawkes? So says Eugene Volokh, of Volokh Conspiracy fame. It takes one conspirator to know another one. What is “kinesophobia?” Is it the same thing as “kinesiophobia?” What do these terms have to do with the word “haptic.” or […]

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Welcome

CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

Pittsburgh Legal Back Talk

Legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus.

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