Miller, Kistler & Campbell

Yesterday was a busy day for Supreme Court news, but lost in the shuffle was one of the more remarkable stories we have ever heard about client representation. The case was McGirt v. Oklahoma, and it resulted in much of Oklahoma being recognized as tribal territory. The case began when a public defender whose client had been arrested found an old and long-ignored treaty suggesting that much of Oklahoma was located on tribal lands, thus negating the client's arrest. Practically laughed out of court at all prior stages for merely raising this argument, the defender won in the Supreme Court. This podcast is a fascinating story about the case and its twists and turns. We have had many clients who underwent similar travails, but this story is one of the more remarkable ones.

Congratulations to Attorney David S. Gaines and Attorney Michael S. Levandoski who have been named as "Rising Stars" by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. This honor recognizes the top 2.5% of younger lawyers in Pennsylvania. Attorney Gaines previously received the "Rising Star" honor in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Attorney Levandoski also received the honor in 2019.

If you are like us, your vehicles are seeing less mileage right now than usual. This story is from Texas, but we have confirmed that many auto insurers are offering discounts and, in some cases, refunds due to reduced driving. Consider reaching out to your auto insurer to explore this possible money-saving opportunity.

Our team has been closely following the legal changes on the state level this week. We have also been following the federal legislation, but the criminal sanctions governing where, when, and how we can leave our homes and tend to our businesses are extremely important concerns at the moment. Given that we will now be under a stay-at-home order, residents should keep the following information in mind: First, individuals may only leave their homes for critical needs, such as gr...ocery shopping. The primary exceptions are that you can travel for "tasks essential to maintain health and safety," "getting necessary services or supplies for themselves (i.e., you and your household members)," and "to take care for a family member or pet in another household." Second, there is a "phew" exception for "engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, or running." This should be good news for the cabin fever crowd. However, you are required to engage in social distancing even if outside. The order does not make clear whether family members are excluded from the social distancing requirement. Do not, though, meet friends at the park or otherwise recreate with others. We think it is probably okay to be present with family members, so long as you are not in a group. Second, there are **criminal** sanctions for violating these orders, and we have seen reports of arrests in other counties that had this order put in place earlier in the week. There is much debate over whether these orders are appropriate. Debate aside, you must generally stay home. If you cannot, if pressed, easily explain to officials why you are outside, then we suggest not trying to risk matters. Third, there continues to be an exception for "life sustaining businesses." However, businesses should note that the list of what constitutes a life sustaining business has changed, and the list is getting smaller. ***If you were a life-sustaining business earlier in the week, you may not be one now.*** There continues to be a waiver process, but that process has slowed down, apparently, due to high demand. Finally, everyone - individuals, life-sustaining businesses, state and local governments and their officials - must engage in social distancing. That is an explicit requirement under the order, meaning, for example, that even if you fall within an exception, you are still required to follow all CDC protocols. We will continue to stay on top of this situation, but please let us know if you have any questions in the meantime. We are still working, albeit remotely, and can be reached at our respective email addresses or via (814) 234-1500 (State College) and (814) 355-5474 (Bellefonte).

To ensure the safety of our employees, clients, and business associates, and in accordance with Governor Wolf's recent order, the physical offices of Miller, Kistler & Campbell will be closed until further notice. However, our attorneys and staff members will be continuing to work remotely. You can reach us by email or by leaving a voicemail on our respective phone extensions, which can be reached at (814) 234-1500. We wish everyone a safe return to normal personal and business operations once this situation subsides.

Our attorneys are spending the day at the 2019 Municipal Law Colloquium. The Colloquium covers a variety of topics ranging from rural wi-fi coverage to challenges with agricultural zoning. The Colloquium is hosted by the council of the municipal law section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. The council is the leading body for municipal and zoning law in Pennsylvania, and our firm is proud to be the only firm with multiple attorneys on the council, Terry Williams and David Gaines. With more than fifty municipal clients and many more private clients who have municipal legal matters, all of our attorneys are experienced in this field, and we are proud to represent clients in this important field.

Thank you to Keller Williams Advantage Realty for inviting Attorneys Dick Campbell and Michael Levandoski to speak to several of their agents!

Please join us for this wonderful event celebrating the fantastic businesses and business leaders in our community!

Taproot Kitchen catered our holiday party last month, and we couldn't have been happier with the experience! This is a wonderful venture that stands side-by-side with its competitors.

We said goodbye this week to our longtime colleague, partner, and friend, Brian Marshall. We congratulate Brian on his new endeavor as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County, but we will miss having him around the office. Thank you again to everyone who helped his campaign, and please remember to attend his swearing in ceremony next Friday, December 29.

Be sure to support the Centre County United Way and visit the Festival of Trees at CPI this weekend. Miller, Kistler & Campbell is excited to share our "Law Tree."

Thank you to the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County for a wonderful awards dinner last night for all of the talented business leaders in our community!

We have received many questions about the upcoming tax changes. This article summarizes some positive steps to prepare for those changes.