News

MacElree Harvey is proud to recognize Personal Injury Partner Tim Rayne on a remarkable achievement: publishing 500 videos on YouTube.

Since launching his channel in 2012, Tim has consistently created educational video content designed to help individuals and families better understand their legal rights, make informed insurance decisions, and navigate the complexities of personal injury claims. His work reflects a long-standing commitment to making legal information accessible, practical, and engaging.

“My focus has always been ‘what is in it for the viewer,’” Tim explains. “My goal has been to provide informative and entertaining content.”

Over the years, Tim’s channel has covered a wide range of topics relevant to everyday life and unexpected events, including:

• The most important car insurance choices to protect your family
• What to do immediately after a car accident
• Who pays medical bills following an injury
• What makes a strong medical malpractice case
• Steps to take after a slip and fall accident

In addition to standalone videos, Tim has developed several popular series, such as Don’t Do That Sht*, How Not to Get Sued, and Who’s Fault Is It, offering clear, real-world guidance in a straightforward and often approachable style.

While much of his content is educational, Tim has also shown a creative side. One of his most popular videos: The Bow Tie Lawyer Teaches You How to Tie a Bow Tie, highlights his personality and ability to connect with viewers beyond traditional legal topics.

Reaching 500 published videos is a rare milestone, achieved by a very small percentage of content creators. Tim credits both his enjoyment of the creative process and the strong engagement he receives across platforms.

“I really enjoy the creative process and get a lot of comments from people who see the videos, not only on YouTube, but also on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok,” he says. “I plan to get to 1,000 much quicker than I got to 500.”

Tim’s ongoing commitment to sharing knowledge aligns with MacElree Harvey’s mission to provide meaningful guidance and trusted counsel to the communities we serve.

To follow Tim’s content, subscribe to his YouTube channel (@TimRayne) or connect with him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok (@bowtielawyer), or visit macelree.com/attorney/timothy-f-rayne to learn more.

MacElree Harvey is proud to announce that Michelle Foster, CEO of the firm, has been appointed to the Board of the Chester County Bar Foundation.  

Founded in 1985 by a group of dedicated Chester County attorneys seeking to close the gap between the legal system and the citizens it serves, the Foundation funds initiatives that strengthen the ties between the community and the justice system. Its mission to help Chester County citizens understand, gain access to, and benefit from our legal system continues to guide its work today. 

Michelle’s appointment to the Board reflects her longstanding commitment to strengthening the legal profession and the communities it serves.  

While many law firm leaders begin their careers as practicing attorneys, Michelle joined MacElree Harvey in 2004 as a Staff Accountant and steadily advanced through key leadership roles, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, before being named Chief Executive Officer. Her rise to CEO reflects years of experience within the firm and a steady commitment to its people, culture, and long-term growth. 

As CEO, she measures success not just in revenue growth, but in the strength of relationships within the firm and the community. Her role on the Board reflects that same commitment, supporting programs that help people better understand and access the legal system. 

MacElree Harvey congratulates Michelle on this appointment and looks forward to the continued positive impact of her leadership both within the firm and throughout the community. 

West Chester, PA — MacElree Harvey is pleased to announce that Andrew R. Silverman has been elected a Shareholder of the firm. An experienced member of the firm’s Business Department since 2014, Andrews’s election marks a significant milestone in his career and a commitment to the firm’s leadership in business and tax law.

Andrew focuses his practice on advising business owners and stakeholders through every stage of the corporate lifecycle to maximize growth and efficiency. Andrews’s practice areas include mergers and acquisitions, navigating intercompany disputes, corporate governance, business tax, and facilitating strategic structuring and restructuring of entities.

“Andrew’s election to Shareholder is a well-earned milestone that reflects his deep commitment to our clients and to our firm,” CEO Michelle Foster noted. “Andrew has earned the trust of his clients and colleagues through his dedication, integrity, and steady leadership. Beyond his experience and skill in corporate and tax law, Andrew embodies the values of MacElree Harvey. We are genuinely excited for the leadership and vision he brings to our partnership as we look toward the firm’s future.”

A native of the region, Andrew is uniquely positioned to serve clients across state lines, holding licenses to practice in both Pennsylvania and Delaware. Andrew is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Widener University School of Law, and he earned his Master of Laws (LLM) in Taxation from the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.

About MacElree Harvey, Ltd.

Founded in 1880, MacElree Harvey, Ltd. is a full-service law firm serving individuals, families, and businesses throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware. The firm provides counsel across a wide range of practice areas, including business law, litigation, estate planning, real estate, family law, and employment law. Contact the firm at macelree.com/contact-us or call (610) 436-0100.

West Chester, PA | January 6, 2026 – MacElree Harvey, Ltd. is pleased to welcome back Judge Lou Mincarelli to the firm following his service on the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.

Judge Mincarelli, who previously served as a Partner in the firm’s Litigation Department, is transitioning from the bench to rejoin MacElree Harvey as a seasoned litigator with deep ties to the Chester County legal community.

Judge Mincarelli originally joined MacElree Harvey in January 2024, bringing decades of legal experience and a strong commitment to justice to the firm’s litigation practice, including commercial litigation, criminal defense, family law, mediation, and arbitration. Prior to joining the firm, Judge Mincarelli served on the Chester County Court of Common Pleas since 2022, when he was nominated by then-Governor Tom Wolf and confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate, becoming the 67th judge in the court’s history.

In early 2025, Judge Mincarelli was reappointed to the Court of Common Pleas by Governor Josh Shapiro and again confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate, continuing his service to Chester County through 2025. His swearing-in at the Chester County Justice Center included remarks from colleagues, including MacElree Harvey Partner Brian L. Nagle, who highlighted Judge Mincarelli’s integrity, patience, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law.

Throughout his time on the bench, Judge Mincarelli earned the respect of attorneys, court staff, and litigants alike for his ability to listen carefully, assess each matter on its merits, and lead proceedings with professionalism and balance.

His return to private practice is expected to further strengthen MacElree Harvey’s litigation team, offering clients the benefit of a rare and valuable perspective informed by experience on both sides of the courtroom. To learn more about Judge Lou Mincarelli, visit macelree.com/attorney/lou-mincarelli.

The latest employment law update highlights a trio of lawsuits spanning Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Florida. The cases underscore the legal scrutiny employers are facing as 2025 draws to a close, delving into concerns over pay practices, deficient COVID-19 vaccine accommodations, and race-based workplace policies. Read the latest updates here.

Pennsylvania Class Action Targets Ritter Foods Over Alleged Unpaid Pre- and Post-Shift Work

A proposed class action filed in Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas alleges that Ritter Foods LLC, a Philadelphia-based food distribution company, violated the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act by failing to compensate employees for mandatory work performed before and after their scheduled shifts. The lawsuit was brought by Hector Jara, a former employee, who claims that Ritter Foods did not pay wages or overtime for time spent on required pre-shift and post-shift activities.

According to the complaint, employees were required to enter the facility early to walk to a uniform distribution area, wait in line, change into work attire, and then proceed to time clocks and job assignments. In some cases, workers were also forced to wait unpaid while company inspections were conducted. After their shifts ended, employees had to reverse the process by returning uniforms and exiting the facility, again without compensation.

Jara argues that this time qualifies as compensable work under Pennsylvania law, citing the state Supreme Court’s decision in Heimbach v. Amazon.com Inc., which held that time employees are required to be on-site can be compensable even if they are not actively performing job duties. The lawsuit seeks unpaid wages, overtime pay, interest, and attorney’s fees for employees dating back to December 2021.

The case is Hector Jara v. Ritter Foods LLC, case number 2512-00689, in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.

University of Colorado Medical School to Pay $10.3M to Settle Vaccine Mandate Religious Exemption Lawsuit

The University of Colorado’s Anschutz School of Medicine has agreed to pay $10.3 million to resolve a federal lawsuit brought by employees and students who alleged their religious exemption requests from the university’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate were unlawfully denied. The settlement will cover damages, tuition, and legal fees, bringing the long-running case to a close.

The lawsuit, filed in September 2021 by a Catholic doctor and a Buddhist student, claimed the university violated the First Amendment and federal civil rights laws by rejecting religious exemption requests while allowing certain secular exemptions. Eighteen employees and students ultimately joined the case, proceeding anonymously.

The settlement follows a significant May 2024 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which found that the lower court erred in denying a preliminary injunction against the university’s policies. The appellate court said the initial exemption policy showed evidence of “religious animus” by requiring the university to scrutinize whether objections to vaccination were rooted in formal religious teachings rather than sincerely held beliefs.

The court also found that the university’s revised policy improperly favored secular exemptions over religious ones. While a partial dissent disagreed on the revised policy, the decision paved the way for the settlement, marking a notable resolution in pandemic-era religious rights litigation.

The case is Doe et al. v. Board of Regents of the University of Colorado et al., case number 1:21-cv-02637, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.

Florida Attorney General Sues Starbucks Over Alleged Race-Based DEI Employment Practices

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a state lawsuit accusing Starbucks Corp. of violating Florida’s civil rights laws through its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, alleging the company implemented race-based hiring, promotion and compensation practices. The 21-page complaint claims Starbucks’ DEI policies go beyond lawful inclusion efforts and amount to illegal racial discrimination.

According to Uthmeier, Starbucks set numerical racial targets for its workforce and tied executive bonuses to meeting those goals, effectively creating what he described as race-based quotas. The lawsuit alleges the company excluded or disadvantaged nonminority employees – identified in parts of the complaint as white, multiracial and Asian workers – in hiring, mentorship, networking and pay decisions. Florida argues these practices violate the state’s 1992 Civil Rights Act, which bars employment discrimination based on race.

The state also points to Starbucks’ supplier diversity spending goals and its membership in the Board Diversity Action Alliance as evidence of race-conscious decision-making. Florida is seeking $10,000 for each alleged instance of discrimination, potentially totaling tens of millions of dollars, along with a court order barring Starbucks from future race-based employment practices.

Starbucks has denied the allegations, saying its programs are lawful and open to all employees. The lawsuit follows similar claims brought by Missouri’s attorney general earlier this year challenging the employer’s goals of filling 30% of corporate roles with Black and Indigenous people and people of color by 2025, among other policies, and underscoring growing legal challenges to corporate DEI policies nationwide.

The case is Office of the Florida Attorney General v. Starbucks Coffee Co., case number 2025-CA-000653, in the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of the State of Florida.

Jeff Burke is an attorney at MacElree Harvey, Ltd., working in the firm’s Employment and Litigation practice groups. Jeff counsels businesses and individuals on employment practices and policies, executive compensation, employee hiring and separation issues, non-competition and other restrictive covenants, wage and hour disputes, and other employment-related matters. Jeff represents businesses and individuals in employment litigation such as employment contract disputes, workforce classification audits, and discrimination claims based upon age, sex, race, religion, disability, sexual harassment, and hostile work environment. Jeff also practices in commercial litigation as well as counsels businesses on commercial contract matters. 

At MacElree Harvey, giving back is an important part of our culture and our connection to the communities we serve. Each year, our attorneys and professional staff come together to support nonprofit organizations, educational initiatives, and community programs that reflect our shared values and commitment to service.

In 2025, MacElree Harvey contributed more than $40,000 to charitable causes through a combination of firm sponsorships, employee-led giving initiatives, and community partnerships. These contributions supported more than 20 nonprofit and community organizations focused on education, health and wellness, family stability, legal access, the arts, and animal welfare, as well as local institutions that strengthen the fabric of our community.

In addition to year-to-year giving, MacElree Harvey continued its support of local institutions that serve as educational and cultural anchors within the community. This included ongoing support of the West Chester Public Library through its Next 150 Campaign, helping expand access to learning resources and community programming for residents throughout the region.

Our team also continued to uphold our tradition of Jeans Day, a firm-wide giving initiative in which team members donate to wear jeans on designated Fridays, and the firm proudly matches all employee contributions, allowing small individual donations to add up to meaningful community impact. In 2025, proceeds from Jeans Day initiatives supported the following organizations:

• Special Operations Warrior Foundation – Provides college scholarships, educational counseling, and immediate financial assistance to the children of fallen and severely wounded U.S. Special Operations service members.
• Chester County Food Bank – Works to eliminate food insecurity in Chester County by distributing food, supporting community partners, and addressing the root causes of hunger.
• All 4 Paws Rescue – A volunteer-driven rescue organization dedicated to saving, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in need throughout Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.
• Unite for HER – Supports individuals affected by breast cancer by providing integrative wellness therapies and resources that promote healing, balance, and quality of life.

If there is a nonprofit or cause you believe aligns with MacElree Harvey’s values and commitment to service, we invite you to share your recommendation by emailing [email protected]. We value the opportunity to engage with our clients, colleagues, and community partners, and we look forward to continuing our collective efforts to support meaningful causes and strengthen the communities we serve in 2026.