News from 2010

Recent Office of Open Records Decisions: From Strip Searches to Donor Records

The OOR continues to refine its consideration of a potpourri of Right-to-Know issues and implements with those decisions several recent decisions of the Commonwealth Court. Strip Searches In a decision involving the City of Bethlehem, Dye v. City of Bethlehem, OOR Dkt. AP 2010-0510, the OOR granted in part and denied in part an individual’s request for policies and procedures relating to strip searches and documents and videos regarding such searches from 2000 to the present. … Read On

Nauman Smith Attorney Successfully Represents National Railroad Company

Nauman Smith Attorney Craig J. Staudenmaier successfully represented a national Railroad company recently in a Federal Employer Liability Act case involving an employee who claimed he was injured when a piece of automated equipment he was operating allegedly failed. The employee claimed permanent, career ending back injury. The 5-day jury trial in Dauphin County resulted in a verdict in favor of the Railroad… Read On

Convicted Sex Offender Denied Access to Parole Board’s Supervision Strategies Pursuant to Right-to-Know Law’s Public Safety Exemption

The Commonwealth Court has affirmed a decision by Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole (“Board”) to deny a convicted sex offender’s request for access to records which document the strategies the Board will use to supervise him after he is released from prison.  Woods v. Office of Open Records, – – – A.2d –… Read On

Nauman Smith Attorney Craig Staudenmaier Named 2010 Pennsylvania Super Lawyer

Nauman Smith Attorney Craig J. Staudenmaier has been named by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine as one of the 2010 top attorneys in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, according to an announcement by Spencer G. Nauman, Jr., Esq., Senior Partner in the distinguished and historic Harrisburg law firm. “Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named Super Lawyers and Mr… Read On

Agencies are Bound by Reasons Stated in Initial Denial of RTKL Requests

In an opinion released today, the Commonwealth Court held that an agency which denies a request for records under the new Right-to-Know Law is bound by the reasons the agency states in the initial denial letter to the requester.  An agency is prohibited from asserting a different legal ground to support the denial after the requester appeals to the Office of Open Records… Read On

Nauman Smith Launches 130th Year of Rail Industry Service at PA Rail Freight Seminar

Nauman, Smith, Shissler & Hall marked its 130th year of service to the Pennsylvania railroad industry in 2010 through two events tied to the Pennsylvania Rail Freight Seminar in Harrisburg. The firm hosted a reception on May 19, 2010, to celebrate the anniversary of two definitive 1880 cases, Duncan v. Pennsylvania Railroad Company and Hall v… Read On

Nauman Smith Rail Group Celebrates 130 Years of Pennsylvania Railroad Industry Service

Nauman Smith Shissler & Hall will celebrate its 130th year of service to the Pennsylvania railroad industry this year, Craig Staudenmaier, Managing Partner of the firm announced today. "We are exceptionally proud of the firm's historic record of service to the railroad industry," Staudenmaier said. "It is certainly gratifying to look back and see how our attorneys over two centuries have helped shaped the industry in Pennsylvania, a true "Keystone Corridor" system of Class I and short line railroads… Read On

Nauman Smith attorney appointed Solicitor of Upper Allen Township

Nauman Smith attorney J. Stephen Feinour has been appointed Solicitor for Upper Allen Township in Cumberland County by the Township Board of Commissioners. Upper Allen Township was formed in 1850 and became a First Class Township in 1967… Read On

Judge Rules Media May Twitter During Trial

Nauman Smith Attorney Craig Staudenmaier successfully argued on behalf of the Harrisburg Patriot-News against a defense motion to block reporters and others from using Twitter to provide real time updates on the upcoming trial of former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon and three former aids… Read On