Chartwell Law

Filipino-American Heritage Month recognizes the history and resilience of Filipino Americans across generations, beginning with the arrival of the first documented Filipinos in what is now the United States in 1587 at Morro Bay, California. We celebrate the leadership and cultural influence of Filipino Americans—from labor leaders like Larry Itliong, a key figure in the Delano Grape Strike, to educators, healthcare professionals, veterans, and public servants—who continue to shape communities nationwide.

One more summer outing for the books! Our Chicago team made the most of the remaining warm weather with an afternoon at the ballpark and an evening in Wrigleyville. Chicago’s Chartwellians headed to Wrigley Field last week for a Cubs game, then kept the fun going with some live music at the Tin Roof. Spending time together outside the office is an important part of our culture at Chartwell, and a day at Wrigleyville was a great way to wrap up the summer party season!

Chartwell began in Pennsylvania in 2002 as a small boutique workers’ compensation firm. Our founders chose a name that belonged to the whole team because they wanted everyone to have a voice and bring their own experiences to the firm. Today, Chartwell is a nationally ranked firm with more than 300 attorneys across nearly 40 offices coast to coast. We’re growing rapidly and strategically, and the collaborative spirit behind our name remains central to who we are. We’re hiring associates, of counsel, partners, legal assistants, paralegals, and administrative professionals across the country. Many opportunities offer hybrid or fully remote work. Find your place at Chartwell. Explore our open positions today: https://bit.ly/4pzDT3

A trade secret dispute led Partner Rett Hixson to the Tennessee Supreme Court. On the latest episode of The Chartwell Chronicles, he joins Brittany Atkinson, Esquire and Adam Devine to discuss the legal question at the heart of the case and his experience arguing before the court. Read more and listen to the episode here: https://bit.ly/4iQz19h

Chartwell attorneys Katherine Bavoso, Jonathan P. Spadea, and Kim Zabroski will present at the PBA Workers’ Compensation Fall Section Meeting, taking place October 1–2 at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. • Katherine and Jonathan will team up for “Did You Know That?!? A Friendly Conversation of All of the Oddest Aspects of Practicing Workers’ Compensation in PA,” addressing some of the more unusual issues and nuances practitioners encounter in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law. • Kimberly will present “Recent Legal Developments — Part 1. Stay Current. Stay Competitive,” covering recent developments impacting Pennsylvania workers’ compensation practice. The annual meeting brings together attorneys, judges, medical professionals, and industry leaders for two days of discussion about developments affecting workers’ compensation practice across the Commonwealth. Katherine, Jonathan, and Kimberly look forward to sharing their knowledge and discussing the distinctive issues affecting workers’ compensation practice. If you’ll be attending, stop by and say hello!

10 Chartwellians. Eight cities. Seven first anniversaries. One five-year milestone. And two 10-year milestones. Join us in celebrating our September work anniversaries! 1 year Lindsay Barton, Associate — Charleston Yamilitza Charneco, Legal Assistant — Atlanta Melissa Fennewald, Legal Assistant — Kansas City Danielle Goble, Esq., Associate — Philadelphia James Hooper, Associate — Chattanooga Avery Lee, Billing Compliance Coordinator — Valley Forge Brandon Wilson, Associate — New York 5 years Angela Risner, Paralegal — Miami 10 years Giorgeany Arboleda, Office Administrator — Miami Marissa J. Huber, Esq., Partner — New York A lot can happen in a year, and even more in a decade. We’re grateful for everything each of you has brought to Chartwell. A special congratulations to Giorgeany and Marissa on 10 years with the firm! Happy anniversary, everyone!

New faces, new cities, new perspectives, and five new reasons to be excited about the team we’re building at Chartwell. Please join us in welcoming the five associates who’ve joined the firm so far this month. Daniel Beel — Houston Daniel focuses his practice on civil litigation, representing insurers, businesses, and individuals in personal injury, motor vehicle liability, first-party property, and other insurance defense matters. He regularly takes and defends depositions of parties, fact witnesses, corporate representatives, and experts and has extensive experience briefing dispositive motions and other significant litigation issues. Kristen Green — Atlanta Kristen focuses her practice on commercial litigation and business disputes, with experience involving breach of contract, business torts, employment matters, nonprofit governance, and government investigations. Her work has included drafting and arguing dispositive motions, managing discovery and ESI issues, preparing fact and expert witnesses for testimony, and negotiating settlements in high-value commercial disputes. Jacob Perez — Deerfield Beach Jacob focuses his practice on civil litigation, with experience in premises liability, personal injury, insurance, and commercial disputes. He has taken and defended numerous depositions involving plaintiffs, corporate representatives, fact witnesses, and experts and has represented clients in both mediation and arbitration proceedings. Julian Rheams — Atlanta Julian focuses his practice on civil litigation and joins Chartwell with significant experience as a former assistant district attorney in Georgia. As a prosecutor, he worked closely with law enforcement on investigations and regularly appeared in Magistrate and Superior Court on misdemeanor and felony matters. Whitney Roth — Red Bank Whitney focuses her practice on civil litigation and brings a strong background in legal research, writing, and analysis. Before joining Chartwell, she served as a judicial law clerk in the Superior Court of New Jersey, where she analyzed briefs and court records and drafted opinions and orders for the court. Each of these new attorneys brings their own experience and energy to the firm, and we’re looking forward to seeing them connect with their new colleagues and make their mark at Chartwell. Welcome aboard, Daniel, Kristen, Jacob, Julian, and Whitney. We’re glad you’re here!

Pennsylvania is a pretty big state. It’s a good thing Chartwell has the opportunities to match. Maybe the energy of Philly is your speed. Maybe it’s King of Prussia, Scranton, Harrisburg, or the Pittsburgh side of the state that feels more like home. Fortunately, we're hiring across PA. We currently have openings for Associates, Senior Associates, Of Counsel, and Partners, with opportunities in General Liability and Insurance Defense and Workers’ Compensation. And because there’s no single way to work these days, our available positions include in-person, hybrid, and remote options. So, maybe the better question isn’t whether there’s an opportunity for you at Chartwell. It’s where in Pennsylvania you’d like that opportunity to be. Philadelphia. King of Prussia. Scranton. Harrisburg. Pittsburgh. Pick your spot. We’ll bring the opportunity. Explore our open positions and find your place at Chartwell: https://bit.ly/4pzDT3N

In a recent opinion letter, the U.S. Department of Labor clarified that restaurant managers and supervisors who step behind the bar or help with other tipped work are still subject to federal restrictions on tip pooling. Under the FLSA, these employees cannot receive a share of coworkers’ tips, even when they perform tipped duties. A limited exception applies to tips received directly from customers for services the supervisor directly and solely provides. Chartwell attorneys Robert Luskin and Willie Black, Esq. discuss the DOL’s guidance and the managerial duties test. They also outline what hospitality employers should consider when reviewing their tip-pooling practices. Read the full alert for more information: https://bit.ly/4yNVrMW

Yom Kippur is a sacred day focused on responsibility and reconciliation. We recognize the significance of this observance and extend our respect to those who mark this important day.