ARBITRATION & MEDIATION

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) encompasses both arbitration and mediation of disputes.  Steve Harvey Law provides clients with representation and advice for both forms of ADR.  We also draft ADR clauses for clients.
 
Arbitration shares some of the attributes of traditional litigation — an initial complaint and answer followed by an exchange of information, presentation before the finder of fact and law, and then a decision — but there are significant differences that need to be considered.  The rules are quite different, discovery is limited, the arbitrator combines good and bad aspects of a judge and jury, and the ability to appeal the arbitrator’s decision is extremely limited and often non-existent as a practical matter.
 
Mediation differs from arbitration.  A mediator has no authority to decide a case, but instead acts as a facilitator of settlement, although there can be exchange of position papers and opening and closing statements as in litigation.
 
As with traditional litigation, the key to success in ADR lies in preparation.  Are you prepared for ADR? 

Contact us to discuss how we can help.

CLASS ACTIONS

Steve Harvey Law defends state and federal class actions.  Our experience encompasses all aspects of class action defense: motions to dismiss, class discovery, class certification, class administration, and class settlement.
 
Class actions can present extraordinary risk for clients.  Typically, the lead plaintiff seeks to combine the claims of many other persons into one lawsuit.  Each claim standing on its own may be worth very little, but combined they can represent significant liability.  From the standpoint of the defendant, the key to the case consists of convincing the court that the claims cannot be considered on a class basis.  But there are cases where the defendant may benefit from resolving many claims on a class basis, and the key in that situation is negotiating a favorable settlement that a court will approve.
 
Apart from the risk of liability, class actions often present significant reputational risk for clients.  Clients facing class actions need counsel with the experience and judgment to guide them through the process, control the risk, and secure a favorable outcome. 

Contact us to discuss how we can help.

E-DISCOVERY

Steve Harvey Law assists and advises clients on e-discovery issues both in connection with lawsuits the firm handles and as separate counseling engagements.  We partner with selected technology vendors to provide the greatest value to clients.

Once a novelty, e-discovery is now a mainstay of litigation.  The vast majority of all business communication takes places electronically and is preserved in emails, spreadsheets, text messages, voice mails, and documents created in Word, .pdf, and many other formats.  Once litigation commences, clients must preserve all potentially relevant materials.  During litigation, large quantities of electronic material are often exchanged and must be reviewed and analyzed.  If not handled properly, clients can be sanctioned for failing to preserve electronic materials or, worse, they can unknowingly produce harmful material or fail to discover useful materials produced by the opponent.

Clients need experienced counsel to guide them through the e-discovery process, avoid downside risk, and manage the data, all with an eye toward success in the litigation.  And they need it done in a cost effective manner.

Contact us to discuss how we can help.

INJUNCTIONS & TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS

We represent clients seeking and defending against preliminary and permanent injunctions and temporary restraining orders on constitutional, statutory, and contractual grounds.
 
One classic case is theft of trade secrets or breach of a valid non-compete clause.  Courts in many states recognize that in these situations money damages after the fact would not adequately compensate the plaintiff, and, if the plaintiff satisfies the legal requirements, will enter a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order.
 
Courts will also order injunctive relief in cases of constitutional and statutory violations.  In these cases, if the plaintiff can prove the likelihood of irreparable harm, courts will also grant preliminary injunctions or temporary restraining orders.
 
Clients seeking or defending against injunctive relief need counsel who is experienced and ready to move quickly.  We have a proven track record in this area. 

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INVESTIGATIONS

Often times the wisest money that clients can spend is on the front end of a problem, with a privileged and confidential investigation of the facts and analysis of the law by outside counsel.  Steve Harvey Law conducts investigations for clients facing lawsuits, considering lawsuits, or concerned about regulatory scrutiny.  When appropriate, we team up with former prosecutors and other law enforcement officers with knowledge in a range of specialized fields. 

Contact us to see how we can help.     

APPEALS

Steve Harvey Law handles appeals in state and federal appellate courts. Steve Harvey is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court as well as the United States Courts of Appeals for the Third and Eighth Circuit.  Early in his career, Steve gained valuable insight into the appellate process as a law clerk to a federal appellate judge.
 
Steve has handled appeals in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the Delaware Supreme Court, the Pennsylvania Superior Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on constitutional, statutory, and contractual issues.  He has also submitted briefs in the United States Supreme Court on constitutional and statutory issues. 

Contact us to see how we can help with your case or appellate issue.