Brian Leinhauser at Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools (PCPCS)
Brian Leinhauser spoke at the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools (PCPCS) annual conference on October 21. Mr. Leinhauser addressed issues arising from recent Supreme Court rulings related to student discipline, free speech, Title IX obligations of school entities, and the impact of the recent Supreme Court Rulings administrative and disciplinary policy in public schools. The PCPCS conference brings Charter Leaders from across the Commonwealth to share best practices and exchange ideas regarding innovation in education and advocacy for Charter Schools and help support one another in serving the more than 170,000 students enrolled in public charter schools in Pennsylvania. Mr. Leinhauser led a lively discussion of the issues facing schools regarding student rights and the modifications to school policies that are needed to comply with the new laws.
New Attorneys Join Our Firm
The legal team at MacMain Leinhauser is proud to announce
that two new attorneys joined the firm this past August: Christine
Einerson and Kelsey Hoffman. Both attorneys share passion for the law
and are committed to protecting the rights of their clients.
After graduating with honors from Temple University with a Bachelor of
Arts in Political Science and Public Relations, Christine Einerson worked
at a law firm in Manhattan that focused on class-action lawsuits and then
at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. While at the District Attorney’s
office, Christine worked in the Cybercrime and Identity Theft Bureau
office and enrolled in Brooklyn Law School as a night school student,
obtaining her Juris Doctorate in 2018. Upon graduation, Christine was
appointed as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia, working on
successful misdemeanor and felony prosecutions. Christine joined
MacMain Leinhauser in August of 2021.
Kelsey Hoffman graduated in 2016 from West Chester University of
Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in American History and Political
Science and an Associate Degree in American Studies. Following
graduation, Kelsey studied law at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline
School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctorate in 2019. While at
Drexel University, Kelsey worked pro bono for the Marshall-Brennan
Constitutional Literacy Project, was elected as Vice President of the
Women in Law Society and held a summer clerkship at the Chester
County Court of Common Pleas. Following graduation from law school,
Kelsey joined a large national firm working in their Workers’
Compensation department. Kelsey joined MacMain, Connell &
Leinhauser in August of 2021.
MacMain Connell & Leinhauser at DRI Governmental Liability Conference
The firm played a prominent role at the recently held DRI Governmental
Liability Conference. The conference, which is the largest defenseoriented
civil rights conference in the country, welcomed over 250
attendees to Nashville from August 19-21, 2021. The firm served as one
of the sponsors of the Program. In addition, Tricia Ambrose hosted the
Women in the Law luncheon, and Janelle Fulton served as Vice-Chair of
the Committee’s Diversity efforts.
David MacMain – the Immediate Past Chair of the Committee –
moderated two sessions at the conference.
The first session was a two-part presentation titled “A Look Back to
the Future – Managing Crisis and Other Emergencies” and had a
panel of 5 governmental leaders who discussed their thoughts and
insights on how they managed crisis, ranging from the COVID-19
pandemic, civil unrest, natural disasters, the health crisis, and the
2020 Nashville bombing. The panelists were Fredda Maddox, Esq.,
and Kevin Dykes – Sheriff and Chief of Chester County (PA)
Sheriff’s Office (PA) respectively; Jay Dardenne, Esq. – former Lt.
Governor of Louisiana and current Commissioner of Administration
for Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards; Chris Dobbins – former
Gaston County (NC) Health & Human Services Director; and
Edward Yarbrough, Esq. – former US Attorney for Middle District of
Tennessee.
The second session was titled “Witness Preparation – It May be the
Difference Between Winning and Losing” presented by Adam
Boesen of Boesen Litigation Consulting in Dallas, Texas. Mr.
Boesen discussed why witness preparation is vital to a case and
how it can literally turn a losing case into a winning one.
New Attorneys
David MacMain Speaks On Police Use Of Force Litigation At DRI Boot Camp
The Defense Research Institute’s (DRI) Governmental Liability Committee presented its’ inaugural “1983 Boot Camp” aimed at providing attorneys and claims professionals who are new to 1983 and governmental liability an overview of the issues and law, and practical ‘real-world’ tips on how to assess and defend these suits. The presenters were all former Chairs of the Committee. David MacMain, who served as Chair of the Committee from 2018-2020, co-presented with Cathy Greer of Denver, Colorado (Chair in the mid-1990s) on “Use of Force Litigation” and “Rule 68 Offers of Judgment.” DRI is the voice of the national defense bar and has over 20,000 members in the United States and Canada.
MacMain Named Chair Of Police Task Force
David MacMain was appointed by Dean Martinez – the Executive Director of the Defense Research Institute – to serve as Chair of DRI’s Protect and Serve Task Force. The Task Force, which is comprised of members of DRI, as well as a diversity of representatives from various other organizations, is focused on how to improve trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities that they serve. The Task Force will be presenting a number of monthly “Town Hall” webinars” designed to have representatives from various stakeholders engage and dialogue on police practices, community involvement and suggested reforms in the delivery of police services. The first Town Hall is slated to take place in September and is expected to have panelists from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
MacMain, Connell & Leinhauser 2021 Super Lawyers
MacMain Leinhauser is proud to announce that David J. MacMain, Brian H. Leinhauser, Matthew J. Connell, and Janelle E. Fulton have been selected to this year’s Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. Super Lawyers conducts a rigorous multi-phase process, which examines a lawyer’s professional experience, including their trial record, pro-bono work, and personal accomplishments. The process concludes with peer reviews and evaluations.
David J. MacMain, a founding member and managing partner, has been chosen to Super Lawyers in 2004, then each consecutive year since 2006. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Temple University Beasley School of Law and is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. David represents public entities, public officials, educational institutions, and religious entities and non-profits in a variety of areas, and is a frequent speaker on civil rights, municipal liability, employment litigation, and police and prison-related issues. He is also a member of Pennsylvania Bar Association, the American Bar Association, The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, the Association of Defense Trial Lawyers, and the Defense Research Institute.
Brian H. Leinhauser, a founding partner, has been chosen to Super Lawyers each consecutive year since 2017. He focuses on labor and employment law, charter school defense, civil rights defense, and business law. Brian earned his Juris Doctor from the Duquesne University School of Law and is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the Supreme Court of New Jersey, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Brian is also a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute. Brian has previously spoken at conferences and seminars advising private and public employers of best employment practices and has also been published in DRI’s For the Defense magazine.
Matthew J. Connell, a founding partner, has been chosen to Super Lawyers since 2020. He focuses on civil rights, government liability, administrative law, appeals, employment law, and professional liability cases, especially those involving Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. Matthew earned his Juris Doctor from Widener University Delaware Law School and is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the Supreme Court of New Jersey, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. He is a member of the Chester County Bar Association, the Delaware County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, the Defense Research Institute, and the Society of Human Resource Management. Apart from lecturing on the impact of discrimination and harassment in the workplace, Matthew has also served on an advisory board for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, Labor and Employment Subcommittee on the impact of medical marijuana in the workplace.
Janelle E. Fulton, a partner, has been chosen to Super Lawyers each consecutive year since 2010. She focuses on employment law, appellate law, and professional liability, as well as representing governmental entities. She earned her Juris Doctor from Temple University Beasley School of Law and is admitted to practice in Florida, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Janelle is also a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Florida Bar Association, and the Chester County Bar Association. She has been previously rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and was named as a Top Lawyer by Main Line Today.
The legal team at MacMain Leinhauser will guide clients through their legal matters, no matter the situation. Call 484-318-7106 today or contact us online for an initial consultation. Located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Philadelphia, Chester County, and New Jersey.
Brian Leinhauser Presents At Charter School Conference
Brian Leinhauser presented at the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter School conference instructing new entities and individuals on what is required to start a charter school, how to ensure compliance with applicable laws for charter schools including the Right to Know Law, the Sunshine Act, and the State Ethics Act. The conference provided opportunities for the interested groups and individuals to gain knowledge and ask questions about the work required to apply for, obtain, and open a Public Charter School in Pennsylvania.
David MacMain Serves As Panelist For Upcoming Broadcast On Qualified Immunity
Qualified Immunity is under attack and there has been vigorous debate and efforts to eliminate this important defense for governmental officials – primarily law enforcement. David MacMain was invited to be the “pro” qualified immunity panelist for a televised debate on the issue, with the other panelists including David Rudovsky – a noted Plaintiff’s civil rights advocate and University of Pennsylvania Law Professor, and two other law professors. The program, which was recorded recently, is expected to be broadcast later this summer, and the firm will send out information as to date, time and channel as soon as we know.
MacMain and Leinhauser Present Employment Seminar For Pennsylvania Municipal League
Brian Leinhauser and David MacMain presented a webinar titled “Top 10 Things To Do If You Enjoy Employment Litigation” for the Pennsylvania Municipal League – a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that represents participating Pennsylvania cities, boroughs, townships, home rule communities and towns throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The presentation was a humorous look at the things that public employers must avoid to prevent employment related claims. Brian and David provided an overview of the law and claims that municipalities face, with an emphasis on practical risk avoidance tips based on Brian and David’s lengthy experience in defending these claims and counseling public entities.
Firm Expands New Jersey Capabilities
The firm has long had several New Jersey Bar admitted attorneys including partners Brian Leinhauser and Matthew Connell, and David MacMain joined the ranks of New Jersey barred lawyers in April after completing the necessary requirements. David has handled a number of matters in New Jersey over the past 30 years on a pro hac vice basis, both in both state and federal court, including police and prison cases, class actions, employment matters and school-based claims. However, as the firm is increasingly asked to handle matters in New Jersey, David thought it was appropriate that he be admitted in the Garden State.