stanleycheiken

Attorneys practice law under the authority of the states in which they are licensed to practice. Each state has adopted an ethical code that attorneys are required to follow. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where I practice, the ethical codes are referred to as the...

A contract is nothing more than a mutual exchange of enforceable promises. Sounds simple enough. Two parties, each promising to do something. So naturally, contract disputes are simple matters, right? Wrong. In actuality, contract disputes can be extremely...

For most Philadelphia trial lawyers, impeachment refers to the process of minimizing the effect of an adverse witnesses' testimony. This can be done through cross-examination of the witness to expose inaccuracies in the testimony, to demonstrate its unreliability, to...

For many litigants, their trial is the one and only time they will ever step foot inside a courtroom. They are anxious, nervous, and maybe upset about having to be there. These feelings are normal. Nevertheless, proper courtroom decorum can make a difference in the...

It depends. I don’t subscribe to the view that arbitration is always a better venue for any certain type of case or litigant. For me, a case by case approach is the more appropriate way to determine whether arbitration or trial is the better forum. Points for...

It is never too late to make positive changes. This statement applies well to professional disciplinary matters. In cases involving violations of professional ethical codes, there are two basic approaches that I have observed. The first approach involves denying the...

Those with experience in business litigation are well schooled with the claim known as tortious interference with contractual relations. In addition to being the most frequently misspelled legal theory, it may also be the most versatile. At its essence, this claim...

Good trial lawyers are zealous advocates for their clients. I don’t believe there is a more important aspect of the attorney client relationship. This does not mean that your lawyer should blindly accept everything you tell him about your case. The converse is true....

As you might expect, prospective clients often ask me to handicap their likelihood of success at trial. It’s a fair question. Do you think I will win? To answer this question, of course, I need to know both the facts and the law applicable to the case. But neither the...

As 2020 winds down, I look back at the last 12 months and reflect on what I was able to accomplish on behalf of my clients.  Business Litigation -- 2020 was an unusual year for trials, with many of them being postponed due to COVID-19. Nevertheless, I managed to try...