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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 info@macelree.com. 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.

West Chester, PA, November 6, 2025 — MacElree Harvey, Ltd. has once again been recognized among the nation’s leading law firms in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked by Best Lawyers®, earning national and regional recognition across multiple practice areas for the fifth consecutive year.

Firms included in the 2026 Best Law Firms® list are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking in Best Law Firms® on a national and metropolitan scale reflects a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. The selection process is based on a rigorous evaluation that incorporates client feedback, peer review, and data analysis, recognizing only the top 4% of law firms nationwide.

MacElree Harvey, Ltd. received the following rankings in the 2026 Best Law Firms®:

National Tier 2
• Land Use and Zoning Law

Regional Tier 1 – Philadelphia
• Criminal Defense: General Practice
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• Family Law
• Litigation – Trusts & Estates
• Real Estate Law

Regional Tier 2 – Delaware
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Regional Tier 2 – Philadelphia
• Land Use and Zoning Law
• Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Trusts & Estates

Regional Tier 3 – Delaware
• Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
• Family Law
• Family Law Mediation
• Trusts & Estates

Regional Tier 3 – Philadelphia
• Litigation – Land Use and Zoning
• Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
• Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Tax Law

This continued recognition underscores MacElree Harvey’s enduring commitment to client service, professional integrity, and excellence across a wide spectrum of legal disciplines.

About MacElree Harvey, Ltd.
With roots tracing back to 1880, MacElree Harvey, Ltd. is a full-service law firm serving clients throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware. The firm’s attorneys handle complex matters in business and corporate law, litigation, real estate, family law, estate planning, criminal defense, tax law, employment law, and more. From its offices in West Chester, Kennett Square, Centreville, and Hockessin, the firm delivers trusted legal solutions grounded in local insight and trusted relationships.

Centreville & Hockessin, DE | November 4, 2025 – MacElree Harvey, Ltd. is proud to announce that nine of its attorneys have been recognized in Delaware Today’s Top Lawyers 2025 list.

Each year, Delaware Today surveys licensed attorneys throughout the state to identify peers they would recommend in various practice areas. The resulting Top Lawyers list highlights Delaware’s most respected practitioners, recognized for their professional excellence, integrity, and service to clients.

MacElree Harvey’s Delaware Today Top Lawyers 2025 Honorees:

Centreville, DE
Marie I. Crossley – Family Law; Family Law Arbitration & Mediation
Patrick J. Boyer – Family Law
Andrew R. Silverman – Business & Corporate Law
Jaycie H. DiNardo – Family Law

Hockessin, DE
Daniel T. Crossland – Business Law; Trusts & Estates
Carolina Heinle – Estate Planning & Administration; Trust & Estate Litigation
Court Heinle – Estate & Medicaid Planning
John C. (JC) Cronin – Estate Planning; Business & Real Estate Law
Daniel R. Losco – Real Estate; Business Transactions; Wills, Trusts & Estates

Delaware Today’s annual Top Lawyers edition recognizes the state’s most respected attorneys across a wide range of practice areas. Each year, the magazine conducts a statewide peer-review survey of licensed Delaware attorneys, asking them to nominate colleagues they would personally recommend to clients in specific areas of law.

The results are then carefully reviewed and vetted by the Delaware Today editorial team to ensure nominees are actively practicing, in good standing with the Delaware Bar, and recognized for professional excellence and integrity within the legal community.

Unlike paid listings or sponsored accolades, inclusion in the Top Lawyers list is based solely on peer recognition and professional reputation, a true reflection of respect earned from fellow attorneys throughout the state.

About MacElree Harvey’s Delaware Offices

MacElree Harvey’s Centreville and Hockessin offices provide comprehensive legal services to individuals, families, and businesses throughout Delaware and the surrounding region. The firm’s Delaware attorneys counsel clients across a broad range of practice areas, including:

• Estate Planning & Administration
• Business & Corporate Law
• Real Estate & Land Use
• Family Law
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution

About MacElree Harvey, Ltd.

MacElree Harvey, Ltd. is a full-service law firm with offices in West Chester, Kennett Square, and Malvern, Pennsylvania, as well as Centreville and Hockessin, Delaware. The firm’s attorneys are known for their Initiative in Practice® – combining legal acumen with practical insight to deliver results for clients in business, family, criminal defense, estates, real estate, and beyond.