Maureen E. Sweeney

Representative Experience

• Currently counsels a PA certified economic development organization (CEDO) regarding various zoning and development matters
• Currently counsels a 501(c)3 organization regarding employment matters as well as issues related to its workforce development program regarding construction trades for people with significant barriers to employment
• Advised 501(c)3 community development organization regarding various internal employment matters, as well as advocated for the organization for several of its development projects before the City Board of Zoning Adjustment
• Successfully defended a compressor manufacturing company in a dispute with a South Carolina product distributor, and thwarted the distributor’s attempt for an emergency preliminary injunction in federal court
• Represented majority and minority shareholders in various “business divorce” lawsuits involving closely held companies, ultimately reaching resolutions via mediation
• Fended off attempts by a rival company to decertify a woman-owned disadvantaged business enterprise under Pennsylvania’s Unified Certification Program
• Advised owner associations in disputes with neighboring property owners
• Won summary judgment for a builder sued by a condominium association, successfully arguing all implied warranties had been effectively disclaimed and waived by the individual unit owners
• Represented property owners in eminent domain proceedings with PennDOT, PA Turnpike Commission, and local municipal authorities
• Represented owners and developers in various land use, zoning and development matters before local governmental and zoning bodies, for projects as varied as retail shopping centers, restaurants, light industrial facilities, office buildings and planned residential communities
• Successfully defended the expansion of legal prior nonconforming uses of property owners who were facing staunch opposition by local zoning officials
• Advised aluminum casting manufacturer on bargaining matters for multiple collective bargaining agreements
• Counseled construction company through union organizing election, which the company won by a large margin, and then defeated union’s attempt to overturn election
• Advised and defended Pennsylvania construction company which faced jurisdictional claims by two rival unions for work on a project in western New York, resulting in a decision in the company’s favor from U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2d Circuit
• Advised and trained supervisors for numerous merit shop construction contractors facing “mass salting” campaigns (defending NLRB charges and also developing policies in hiring)
• Advised and trained supervisors for non-union compressor manufacturer regarding union organizing activities, also preparing policies and procedures along the same lines
• Defended numerous NLRB charges filed by trade unions (and employees) against unionized and merit shop construction contractors
• Advised owners and contractors on numerous occasions regarding plans for reserved gates, notice and maintenance of the same, to minimize effects of picketing by building trades unions at construction sites
• Advised management of unionized construction companies regarding termination of 8(f) collective bargaining agreements (and accompanying impacts of withdrawal liability from union benefit funds)
• Counseled business owners regarding set up of “double breasted” sister companies, where one entity was unionized but others were nonunion
• Counseled purchaser of business unit from unionized manufacturer, regarding claims of successor liability under seller’s existing collective bargaining agreement
• Advised business owners who had discovered a long-time employee had been fraudulently siphoning company funds, assisting with insurance, restitution and collection claims regarding their losses
• Defended companies in discrimination suits brought before the EEOC, PHRC and other administrative bodies as well as federal court
• Conducted investigations for management regarding harassment complaints by employees
• Advised clients on new policies and updates to employee handbooks, including but not limited to COVID- 19 issues and changes in federal, state and local laws