law
Areas of Practice: Municipal Law


Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew, LLP is a leader in representing local governments and agencies. The Firm’s municipal law group presently serves as Solicitor to various municipalities in Southeastern Pennsylvania. It has successfully represented municipalities (including townships, boroughs, municipal authorities, zoning hearing boards, and regional police commissions), local agencies, police departments and public officials in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for over fifteen years.

The municipal law team consists of skilled attorneys who are experienced in the areas of civil rights, labor and employment, land use, zoning, motor vehicle, public official and police liability and personal injury. The Firm has been instrumental in establishing precedent by successfully litigating what have become landmark decisions that protect municipal land use decisions, public official immunity, and employment matters. As a result of its experience, the Firm is frequently retained as Special Counsel to provide consultation to municipalities faced with complex legal matters.

The Firm’s established relationships with self-insured and group self-insured entities have proven very successful. Our attorneys work effectively with third party administrators to pursue cost-effective resolutions to claims. In addition, the municipal law group advises clients on risk management and loss control efforts in order to reduce the potential for future liability through the development of sound policy and business practice.

The municipal law group advises and defends clients on the following representative areas:
  • Federal Civil Rights
  • Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act
  • Public Official Liability
  • Land Use and Zoning
  • Premises Liability
  • Police Professional Liability
  • Labor & Employment Matters
  • Board Governance







News

Municipal Newsletter - Spring 2010
6/21/2010

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"Collecting Delinquent Municipal Fees" Seminar presented by Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew, LLP
6/10/2010
On June 7, 2010, Stephen V. Siana, Michael G. Crotty, Eric M. Brown and Michael T. Taylor presented a seminar entitled “Collecting Delinquent Municipal Fees” on behalf of Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (“PSAB”) at the Franklin Commons in the Borough of Phoenixville.
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When Does a Municipality "Approve" a Contract or an Application? by Andrew J. Bellwoar
6/9/2010
When Does a Municipality "Approve" a Contract or an Application?  The Court of Common Pleas of Chester County recently decided an issue of significance for every municipality in Pennsylvania.
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Employer Alert - Employers Struggle With New Disability Law by: Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire
4/19/2010
The expansion of  coverage under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) last year has resulted in confusion over what actually constitutes a "disability."
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Siana Firm Prevails in First Amendment Case by Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire
4/19/2010
On April 14, 2010, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment in favor of Chalfont Borough in favor of Chalfont Borough in Knight v. Drye et al. where the Plaintiff police officer claimed that Borough officials unlawfully terminated him in retaliation for alle
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Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew, LLP Wins Major Victory for Police Officers!
1/15/2010
Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew, LLP Wins Major Victory for Police Officers!
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Municipal Newsletter - Spring 2009
7/14/2009

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Councilwoman Immune from Defamation Lawsuit
7/6/2009
In June 2009, attorneys for Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew, LLP successfully defended a Borough a Councilwoman who allegedly made defamatory remarks about the Borough Council President during public meetings. 
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