Matthew J. Connell Provides Training Series for County Employees in Workplace Discrimination and Hostile Work Environment.
Matthew J. Connell Provides Training Series for County Employees in Workplace Discrimination and Hostile Work Environment.
Matthew J. Connell has presented a series of training sessions to County officials, supervisors and employees in all County departments. The presentation focused on the legal implications of discrimination in the workplace, including training on the implications of creating and permitting a hostile work environment and guidance in the recognition and reporting of hostile work environment conditions.
David J. MacMain Presents At Prison Risk Workshop Conference
David J. MacMain Presents At Prison Risk Workshop Conference
David J. MacMain spoke on November 7 at the Fall Prison Risk Workshop sponsored by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania held in State College and attended by prison officials from across Pennsylvania. David presented on two topics – (1) The Prison Rape Elimination Act, and (2) “Ain’t Nothing Private No More? How Social Media, I-Phones, Video and Technology Have Changed the Litigation Landscape.” Charles Starnes did an excellent job preparing the materials that were used.
Matthew J. Connell is Guest Speaker on Use of Force at the Pennsylvania County Corrections Association 2013 Fall Conference
Matthew J. Connell is Guest Speaker on Use of Force at the Pennsylvania County Corrections Association 2013 Fall Conference
Matthew J. Connell was invited as a guest speaker at the Pennsylvania County Correctional Association’s 2013 Fall Conference. Mr. Connell addressed over 150 correctional professionals from across the Commonwealth on the legal aspects of the use of lethal and less than lethal force in the correctional environment. Mr. Connell’s presentation also included an outline of legal topics facing correctional officials and the litigation process.
MacMain and Starnes Speak at Statewide Municipal Conference
MacMain and Starnes Speak at Statewide Municipal Conference
David J. MacMain and Charles R. Starnes spoke on September 19, 2013 at the 2013 Pennsylvania Municipal League’s annual risk conference held in State College and attended by over 100 public officials from across Pennsylvania. David and Charlie presented “Ain’t Nothing Private No More? How Social Media, I-Phones, Video and Technology Have Changed the Litigation Landscape.” The presentation focused upon what public officials and employees need to be aware of in this technology age and how new forms of technology can be used in litigation to shape a case and impact the outcome.
MacMain Wins Two Trials for City of Reading
MacMain Wins Two Trials for City of Reading
David J. MacMain, assisted by Tricia Ambrose, obtained trial victories for The City of Reading in successive trials held in Federal Court in June and July respectively, both of which involved claims of police misconduct.
The first trial – Lazarde v. Reading – was tried over 4 days in June before Federal Magistrate Judge Henry Perkins (ED of Pa) and involved two separate incidents involving two different Reading police officers. Plaintiff alleged that in the first incident, an officer purposely ran over the plaintiff’s foot after the two had had words – causing Plaintiff significant foot and back injuries which prevented him from future employment. The officer conceded that there had been a heated disagreement, but denied that he ran over plaintiff’s foot. Plaintiff alleged that second incident occurred several weeks later when he was subjected to physical abuse by another officer in the police station while being interviewed about a crime that he had witnessed, with the Plaintiff alleging that the incident was in retaliation for his complaint about the first incident. The officer denied that any physical force was used. After hearing from 13 lay witnesses and 3 expert witnesses, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the Reading officers on all 10 counts in a little under 1 ½ hours.
The second trial – Berete v. Reading- took place over 2 days before Federal Judge Curtis Joyner (ED of Pa) and involved an allegation by Plaintiff that a Reading police officer used excessive force during the course of an arrest. After hearing from 4 witnesses, the jury returned a defense verdict in about 1 hour.
The Honor of The Force: State Trooper-turned-attorney David J. MacMain now serves and protects his former comrades
Matthew J. Connell and Brian H. Leinhauser Speak before County Executives at CCAP Conferences
Matthew J. Connell and Brian H. Leinhauser Speak before County Executives at CCAP Conferences
Matthew J. Connell and Brian H. Leinhauser spoke in Harrisburg, Scranton, and Lewisburg, Pennsylvania to more than 100 county executives, human resources directors, and county prison officials in May. The topic of the seminar was “What did you do? – Conducting an Employee Investigation.” Matt and Brian provided insight and guidance on the proper procedure for conducting internal investigations, how to prepare for such investigations, who should conduct the investigations, and how to complete and close employee investigations. The conference also covered the procedural workings of an EEOC or PHRC investigation and how to navigate the administrative agency process when a discrimination claim is levied against a public entity.
MacMain Wins Trial for Lancaster County Prison
MacMain Wins Trial for Lancaster County Prison
David J. MacMain, assisted by Charles Starnes, obtained a defense verdict in favor of two Lancaster County corrections officers who were accused by an inmate, represented by lawyers from the Dechert Law Firm, of using excessive force. The case, which spanned 3 days and involved 6 witnesses, was tried before Federal Judge Thomas O’Neill (ED of Pa), and ended in a complete defense verdict in a little over an hour.
David MacMain Speaks At FBI – National Academy Training Session
David MacMain Speaks At FBI – National Academy Training Session
FBI National Academy Training Session
David MacMain was invited to speak before the Pennsylvania Eastern Chapter of the FBI – National Academy at their annual training conference. The training session, which was held on April 21-23-2013 in Gettysburg, was attended by over 75 police executives from Pennsylvania and New Jersey who are graduates of the prestigious FBI National Academy. David spoke on 1983 litigation, and recent legal developments affecting police officers and supervisors.
MacMain Speaks At National Civil Rights Conference
MacMain Speaks At National Civil Rights Conference
David MacMain recently spoke at the Defense Research Institute’s Civil Rights and Government Tort Liability annual seminar in Miami February 2, 2012, on the topic of ‘What’s New In The Use Of Force’. DRI is an international membership organization of lawyers, and in-house and insurance professionals involved in the defense of civil litigation. The conference, which was attended by over 300 lawyers, municipal administrators and insurance professionals from all over the country, was focused upon educating and equipping persons who advise, defend and represent government and governmental officials in civil rights matters including police liability, prison-based claims, employment-related matters and tort liability. MacMain was named DRI’s Program Chair for next year’s Civil Rights seminar to be held in Scottsdale, Arizona.