Attorneys Matt Jameson and Ira Podheiser successfully represented a Contractor in companion appeals before the Pennsylvania Superior Court. On August 15, 2023, the Court issued two opinions ordering the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County to reinstate its initial orders striking two mechanics’ lien claims. The Contractor defended the mechanics’ lien claims as a party of interest after it filed a bond to discharge the liens from the Owner’s property. The Superior Court reversed the trial court and held that the trial court’s orders reinstating the mechanics’ lien claims were a nullity because the trial court lost jurisdiction to reconsider the orders striking the mechanics’ lien claims more than thirty days after entry of the prior orders. This case serves as an important reminder that appellate rights expire thirty days after entry of a final order, regardless of whether a Motion for Reconsideration is pending.
The trial team also included Mary Beth Alexander, Legal Analyst.