Case of the Week: Ninth Circuit Holds that Failure to Provide Zoning District for Tattoo Parlor Violates First Amendment.

he Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that the failure of the City of Hernando Beach, California to provide a district where tattoo parlors could be located constituted a de facto ban on that form of expression and thus violated the First Amendment.

ROBOSIGNERS UNDER SCRUTINY IN MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE MILLS.

Serious internal investigations appear to be underway at J P Morgan and elsewhere concerning mortgage servicing practices related to foreclosures. Of course, unfair and unethical practices, such as forging affidavits to cover lost documents and starting foreclosures in the name of a party who does not own the mortgage have been under attack from a cadre of dedicated lawyers, such as April Charney in Jacksonville Florida, who have been winning cases with increasing frequency. Along the way, several state attorney generals (but not including Pennsylvania) have joined the movement.

Unannounced Landlord Visits — an AVVO Answer.

I am hearing an increasing number of complaints from tenants about unannounced or poorly announced inspections of apartments. These are generally not emergencies and tenants do resent them. Landlords should be mindful that such intrusions create an opportunity for misunderstandings and mishaps.

6 Things to Do Every Day — a marthastewart.com checklist

No. 507

Here’s six things that Martha says we should do every day.

1. Make the Bed.

2. Manage Clutter.

3. Sort the Mail.

4. Clean as you Cook.

5. Wipe up Spills while they’re Fresh.

6. Sweep the Kitchen Floor.

The Prisoner’s Dilemma

At times we are forced to trust total strangers with nothing more to go on than a few words and a facial expression. Every time we trust another human being, even someone we know well, we take a calculated risk. But then, opportunity comes wrapped in risk.

It’s Tax Sale Time Again — an AVVO Answer.

Allegheny County does not have an annual sale in September. Tax properties are sold year-round at the same sheriff sale where mortgage foreclosures and other judicial sales of real estate are held. The City of Pittsburgh also holds Treasurer’s Sales quarterly. If you are confused, don’t be embarrassed. This is a very confusing system and when your property has been sold at a tax sale you MUST hire a lawyer. As I commented in my AVVO Answer, petitioning to overturn a tax sale is no time and place for a non-lawyer or even a lawyer not experienced in the subject to be learning the ropes.

Labor Law: Work Lawyers Do On the Way to their Calling and What it Means.

No. 504 John Grisham recounts in the New York Times today a series of backbreaking and mind-breaking jobs he performed on his way to becoming a trial lawyer and then an author. These involved such joyful work as laying asphalt on Mississippi roads in the summer and crawling under houses to find plumbing leaks. When […]

Arbitration has moved into its new home.

After years on the Fifth Floor of the historic Allegheny County Court House, the Arbitration division is finally moving in with the rest of the Civil Division.

How to Find Your Pepto in a Hurry in Your Suitcase.

Traveling is hard on the digestive system — especially long flights from places like Amsterdam. So here’s a little tip to help you find your Pepto Bismol in a crowded suitcase when seconds count.

How to Keep from Bringing Bedbugs Home in Your Suitcase.

An article in the New York Times about bedbugs tells us what one expert does after staying in a hotel. In addition to tearing apart the bed, he keeps his luggage and clothes in the bathroom and gives the whole package a steam treatment.

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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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