Blog Posts

Dimitri L. Karapelou, Of-Counsel at Musi, Merkins, Daubenberger & Clark, LLP, was selected as a 2024 Pennsylvania “Superlawyer.” One of only two Delaware County business bankruptcy lawyers chosen as a “Superlawyer,” and now also with an office in Chester County, Mr. Karapelou is honored for his work in commercial bankruptcy. “Superlawyers” was founded in 1991, utilizing a patented selection process constructed and guided by experienced legal professionals. The process received its official patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2013, indicating its undeniable credibility. The magazine reaches an expansive and diverse audience through publications in print magazines, online, and other social media platforms. Selections for “Superlawyers” are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. Candidates are nominated through their peers, third-party feedback, or may even be identified by the “Superlawyers” research team. After receiving a nomination, the research team at “Superlawyers” conducts independent research, using 12 indicators of the candidates’ peer recognition and professional achievements. These indicators include things such as experience, transactions, representative clients, their position within the law firm, and more. Candidates receiving high scores during independent research then undergo peer evaluation in their practice area, where they are rated by panelists also within that area. After…

Many businesses faced trying times following the COVID-19 pandemic, several of which sought financial help through the COVID loan program implemented by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) was implemented to support business owners and their employees during the pandemic. This program provided financing to nearly four million small businesses and nonprofits. The loans carry a 30-year-term and a fixed interest rate of 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for nonprofits. Because many businesses have struggled to repay loans obtained through the SBA, the agency is now ramping up collection of over a million delinquent loans. According to the SBA’s website, all COVID EIDL borrowers must repay their loans. These loans may become quite burdensome in the future, therefore it’s crucial that businesses start evaluating their options now. Recently, the SBA began referring as much as $20 billion in delinquent COVID loans to the Treasury Department for collection. The Treasury Department has broad power to collect money for the SBA which includes wage garnishment, social security benefit garnishment, and withholding of federal tax refunds. Small businesses and nonprofits who are saddled with EIDL loans would be prudent to explore their options now before…

There are many aspects that come with buying a home, one of the most important being its title. When you obtain the title to a property, you officially become the legal owner of that property. The title of a home provides us with important information such as who owns the home and who may have a claim to that piece of property. Obtaining title is not always a simple process and problems can arise even after the property has been purchased. Therefore, it’s important to keep yourself protected through title insurance. Title insurance is a requirement for homes bought in Pennsylvania that are in any way financed. It differs from other types of insurance in that it focuses on the idea of risk prevention, rather than risk assumption. Title insurance policies are designed to protect home buyers and mortgage lenders from damages or financial losses arising from issues or defects with the property’s title after purchase. Such policies will shield the insured party from any covered losses as well as any legal fees that may arise in an effort to resolve any disputes. Having title insurance will allow the buyer to ensure that they are getting title to the property…

MMD&C recently won a suppression case before the Delaware Court of Common Pleas, successfully arguing that a police officer may not continue to investigate a motorist outside the scope of the traffic stop, based on the nervousness of the driver. Under the law, there are three types of police encounters. (1) a mere encounter, (2) an investigatory detention, and (3) an arrest. A Mere Encounter occurs when an officer stops to talk to an individual. For example, an officer asking a motorist with a flat tire if they need any assistance, is a mere encounter. This is a mere encounter, and the motorist is free to walk away at any time. Investigative detentions occur when an individual is not under arrest for a crime but is not free to leave. To escalate a mere encounter to an investigatory detention, also known as a Terry Stop, an officer must have reasonable suspicion. Reasonable suspicion requires specific and articulable facts that would lead an officer to believe that criminal activity is afoot. An example of reasonable suspicion would be if an individual, known to the police to have a criminal record, in a high crime area walking around in a parking lot…