Following a contentious hearing, the New Hope Borough Zoning Hearing Board voted unanimously to grant our client's application for a Special Exception and Variances. The relief will allow the client to make improvements to a property in the Borough for the purpose of opening a sit down family-friendly restaurant. For more information on the application, see here.
Paul R. Cohen and Colin M. Jenei both represent property owners seeking and opposing relief and approvals from municipalities. They have each appeared numerous times before planning commissions, governing bodies and zoning hearing boards. Both have previously served as municipal solicitors.
Posted
Wed, 07/11/2012 - 5:37pm by Paul Cohen
Colin Jenei has once again been named a Super Lawyer by his peers. Colin's recognition was in the practice area of criminal defense. In addition to criminal defense, Colin also represents clients in personal injury and zoning and land use matter. This is the sixth year in a row that Colin was named a Super Lawyer.
Posted
Fri, 06/01/2012 - 12:05pm by Paul Cohen
On May 31, 2012 Colin Jenei spoke at the annual Pennsylvania Bar Institute Criminal Law Symposium. The Symposium was attended by hundreds of prosecutors, public defenders, criminal defense attorneys, and judges from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Colin prepared a paper that was published by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute on the Pennsylvania intoxicated driving law in preparation for his presentation. Colin’s presentation was entitled, ”What Every Attorney Should Know About Driving Under the Influence Cases.” His presentation was well received by those who attended.
Posted
Fri, 06/01/2012 - 12:00pm by Paul Cohen
On Saturday, May 19, 2012 attorney Paul R. Cohen conducted a workshop at the Hepatitis B Foundation's Parent Conference in Philadelphia. The event was attended by parents of children infected with Hepatitis B from across the country. Paul's workshop focused on legal issues faced by those infected with the virus.
Posted
Mon, 05/21/2012 - 12:30pm by Paul Cohen
We are proud to once again sponsor the New Hope Historical Society Garden Tour. Details of the Garden Tour can be found by clicking here. You can also purchase tickets online.
Posted
Fri, 05/11/2012 - 10:31am by Paul Cohen
Colin was recently invited to lecture on DUI topics at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute in Harrisburg. The Harrisburg Criminal Law Symposium typically draws 400 lawyers, including prosecutors and judges, from across the state. Colin’s presentation will be on the basics of driving under the influence law.
Colin has had a busy year of trials and arbitrations in personal injury matters. His last arbitration resulted in a gross award of $300,000.00 in a case where the various insurance companies had only offered $100,000.00 in an attempt to settle the case.
Posted
Fri, 02/24/2012 - 6:33pm by Colin Jenei
In 2011, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office made several changes to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program (ARD). This is a program for first-time offenders who have not committed a crime of violence. The program allows offenders to avoid jail and to erase their criminal records. People charged with a first Driving Under the Influence offense have a chance of getting this program. It is important that people understand the new rules and regulations with regard to ARD. These policies are not written and must be known by the attorney practicing in Bucks County. Ultimately, the District Attorney’s Office decides whether a person gets ARD. Some of the policies with regard to ARD have actually been loosened. Other policies have become more restrictive. Knowledge of the DA’ s ARD policies and practices is critical in representing first-time offenders.
Colin Jenei, who previously served as the Chief of the Homicide by Vehicle Unit of the Bucks County District Attorneys' Office has almost 30 years experience representing clients facing DUI charges. Contact Colin at cjenei@jeneiandcohen.com to request a consultation.
Posted
Fri, 02/24/2012 - 6:29pm by Colin Jenei
Charissa J. Liller has been named a Shareholder of Jenei & Cohen, P.C. as of January 1, 2012. Charissa has been with the firm since 2005. Her practice focuses on criminal defense and domestic representation, including divorce, custody and support. As a former Assistant District Attorney, Charissa has substantial courtroom experience. Recently, Charissa litigated and won two precedent-setting appeals before the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
Charissa can be reached at cliller@jeneiandochen.com.
Posted
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 6:25pm by Paul Cohen
In September 2011, Marijo M. Murphy joined the firm as Of Counsel. Marijo has over 30 years experience representing clients in all aspects of domestic matters, including divorce, support and custody. She joins Charissa J. Liller. Together, they will continue to provide outstanding services to our clients.
Posted
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 6:18pm by Paul Cohen
Due to its inclusion in the recent compromise tax bill, the changes to the Federal Estate Tax have received a substantial amount of publicity. As most people know, the new tax law substantially changes the Federal Estate Tax. Under the new law, the first $5,000,000 of a person's estate is tax free. This increased the available exemption from the $1,000,000 amount set to return in January and the $3,500,000 amount in place in 2009. In addition, the rate of tax decreases to 35%. Overall, far fewer people will be paying a Federal Estate Tax and those that are will be paying less than before.
One of the most interesting features of the new law is the portability provision. Previously, if a spouse died without using his or her exemption (e.g. by giving all assets to the surviving spouse) the exemption would be lost. When the second spouse subsequently died, he or she would have only his or her own exemption to work with. Planning would typically be put in place - using bypass trusts often funded through disclaimers - to try to utilize both exemptions. Under the new law, however, the surviving spouse will be able to utilize the deceased spouse's exemption to the extent it was unused. This could potentially allow a surviving spouse to carry a $10,000,000 exemption! While this feature seems like a great gift from the government there is at least one catch. In order for the surviving spouse to use the deceased spouse's exemption, a Federal Estate Tax Return (form 706) will need to filed following the death of the first spouse. While the time and cost of filing a return will be worth the potential savings in the future, the new law creates a trap for the unwary.
Jenei & Cohen, P.C. provides estate planning services for individuals and couples at all levels of wealth. Please call for a consultation.
Posted
Mon, 12/20/2010 - 1:32pm by Paul Cohen
