The Governmental Practice Group of Knox McLaughlin
Gornall & Sennett, P.C. represents a large number of public
entities throughout Pennsylvania. Our attorneys put years of
experience in governmental and public finance law to work for
our clients. We refer matters involving labor and employment
law, workers' compensation law and litigation to attorneys
within our firm who have the experience necessary to provide
the effective representation.
The Government Practice Group is the largest practice of
its kind in our region. We represent cities, townships,
boroughs, authorities and school districts in solving their
most complex problems.
State and Local Government
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Provide counsel on
parliamentary procedures for public meetings |
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Counsel and advise on all matters
of municipal liability and immunity |
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Draft and resolve all matters involving
municipal procurement, including public bidding issues |
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Provide counsel on housing and urban development
law |
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Advise on general aviation legal matters
and public utility law |
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Counsel regarding eminent domain matters |
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Provide general counsel to water and sewer
authorities |
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Advise on compliance with the Municipality
Authorities Act, Sunshine Act, Public Official and
Employees Ethics Act, Right-to-Know Law and relevant Commonwealth codes and statutes |
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Provide counsel on port-related matters |
Education
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Advise on charter school issues |
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Advise on constitutional issues affecting
public school students |
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Draft school board policies |
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Advise on federal laws including No Child
Left Behind Act, Children's Internet Protection Act and
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act |
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Prepare public contracts |
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Provide advice and counsel at all levels
of student disciplinary hearings and student's due
process rights |
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Analyze and negotiate contract issues |
Public Finance
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Serve as bond and underwriter
counsel |
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Ensure compliance with Local
Government Unit Debt Act |
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Document finance
transaction for General Obligation Bonds, Revenue Bonds,
Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes, Specialized Facilities
Bonds and Industrial Development Bonds |
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Provide opinions regarding
the validity, security and tax exempt status of bonds,
notes and leases |
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Assist in
reviewing official
statements to ensure compliance with federal securities
disclosure laws |
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Monitor arbitrage regulations |
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Advise public bodies on federal tax compliance
issues |
Special Education
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Advise school districts on
compliance with state and federal special education laws
and regulations (IDEA and Section 504) |
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Consult with administrators on school district
legal responsibilities regarding Child Find, evaluations,
FAPE and LRE |
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Represent districts and insurers in federal
court actions under IDEA and Section 504 seeking compensatory and punitive damages
and attorneys' fees |
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Represent districts in state
administrative due process hearings and state level
appeals |
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Assist in responding to OCR complaint
investigations and Bureau of Special Education compliance
investigations and appeals |
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Advise school districts on discipline of
special education students |
Zoning and Land Use/Environmental
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Act as solicitor for governing
bodies and zoning hearing boards in connection with variance
requests, subdivision applications and rezoning petitions |
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Provide counsel on environmental compliance
issues related to publicly owned/operated wastewater treatment
facilities |
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Advise and assist public bodies with Act
537/sewage facilities issues |
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Represent public bodies in buying, selling
or developing potentially contaminated property |
Labor and Employment
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Negotiate collective bargaining
agreements |
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Represent in grievance processing and labor
arbitration |
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Provide guidance on bargaining unit issues,
union organization and union-related litigation |
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Advise and counsel on all aspects of employment
law |
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Represent in EEOC, PHRC, unemployment compensation
and OSHA matters and before other administrative
agencies |
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Prepare employment-related documents and
agreements |
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Counsel on employment matters |
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Train and update management and
supervisors on critical workplace
issues |
Litigation
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Defend civil rights, discrimination,
employee benefit and whistleblower claims |
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Defend and prosecute contract claims |
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Provide representation in alternative dispute
resolution, including arbitration and mediation |
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Counsel on debarment of public contractors |
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Advise on all matters of liability and
immunity |
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