stanleycheiken

As a professional, I have the privilege and responsibility of attempting to achieve my clients' goals in a field (litigation) in which they have little or no expertise. The same would be true if I were a dentist, plumber or landscaper. The point is that the client...

Over the years I've heard many colleagues talk about venues where they don't like to practice. Some suburban lawyers don't like Philadelphia courts; and some Philly lawyers don't like to appear in the county courts. But I like to take my show on the road. In the main,...

My law practice has evolved over many years to the point where I now represent fewer clients, but the matters involve substantially larger monetary disputes. Because of the amounts at issue, there are many more strategic considerations that are involved in these legal...

I watched a hearing this week where an expert witness was taken down on cross examination by an experienced lawyer asking compound questions that were loaded with facts not in evidence. The attorney offering the expert sat silently, never once objecting to a question....

I finished up a trial this week. As a trial lawyer, I’m happy to report that I love trying cases. Many but not all of my adversaries do as well, and it is pretty obvious by observation of the trial who enjoys it and who detests it. In many ways, 99% of what we do as...

Pennsylvania has a powerful Wage Payment and Collection Law statute, 43 P.S. §260.1 et seq. Under the statute, if an employee's "wages" are withheld for more than 30 days in bad faith, the employee may be awarded liquidated damages in the amount of 25% of the amount...

It takes two to Tango. That’s what I tell clients who want to negotiate a quick settlement. The first step, and arguably the most important one, is getting into a negotiation to begin with. If you don’t have a “dance partner” then you are probably wasting your time....

I am knee-deep in drafting post trial briefs in a matter that started in 2021. That’s right, it is going to take four years or more to get to the end in this one. There are many opportunities to walk away from complicated litigation. Truly committed business...

I recently updated my website and I am in the process of adding new video content to it. I have been watching many attorney website videos to get a feel for how I want to present myself. I hope you will view my videos (there are 15 of them, all approximately 1 minute...

I recently began preparing for a jury trial scheduled for about 6 weeks from now. It’s a business dispute involving millions of dollars. As usual, the judge has questioned whether the parties really want a jury in a matter involving “wealthy” business people fighting...