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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.

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.

Co-parenting during the holidays can be stressful. With communication, flexibility, and a shared commitment to your child’s happiness, you can create a holiday season filled with joy—not conflict.  

Start reviewing your custody schedules early 

Holiday schedules are typically either split or alternating. Split custody schedules divide the day in half allowing for both parents to enjoy the holiday, whereas alternating schedules swap the physical holiday custodial time between parents on odd and even years. I typically reach out to my parents in October to review their Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukkah/ Kwanzaa schedule. It’s essential that parents communicate regarding their holiday schedule early on. Since most schools schedule a break during Christmas time, it may be important to identify childcare and custodial exchanges. If you haven’t already, reach out to your ex and discuss the upcoming holiday schedule.  

Religious differences  

Legal custody in Pennsylvania is defined as “ [t]he right to make major decisions on behalf of the child, including, but not limited to, medical, religious and educational decisions.”  23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5322. Legal custody is typically shared between parents although in rare circumstances, the court can assign sole legal custody. Courts are reluctant to enter orders regarding religious preferences. Each parent is going to celebrate traditions unique to their home. I encourage all my parents to be respectful and flexible regarding holiday traditions.  

Traveling  

The holiday schedule typically takes precedence over any vacation time. Please review your custody schedule closely to ensure that you are not scheduling any vacations over your co-parents holiday time to avoid potential Petitions for Contempt. You should also note whether you need to share any travel information such as emergency contact, address of hotel or host, etc. if you leaving the state or country for the holidays. Your custody may require you to share this information.  

Gifting  

Coordinate gift giving with your co-parent. It’s important to discuss budgeting and large gifts to avoid duplication or overshadowing the other parent. It’s also a good time to check in about age-appropriate gifts such as video game age ratings.  

Pennsylvania’s recent enactment of the CROWN Act is an important update to the Commonwealth’s nondiscrimination framework. The law clarifies that “race” under state civil rights statutes includes traits historically associated with race – such as natural hair texture and protective hairstyles including braids, locs, twists, and bantu knots. As a result, workplace decisions involving these traits will now be evaluated as potential race-based discrimination.

For employers, the primary takeaway is heightened awareness. Grooming or appearance standards that restrict certain hairstyles may draw scrutiny if they disproportionately affect Black employees or others who wear protective styles. The Act does not bar employers from enforcing legitimate health, safety, or hygiene requirements, but those standards should be clearly tied to the job and applied consistently across the workforce.

While many employers may find their existing policies already align with the updated law, it is worthwhile to briefly review handbooks, job descriptions, and training materials to ensure they do not inadvertently signal bias. Likewise, managers and supervisors should understand that hairstyle-related issues can now have legal implications under race discrimination provisions.

By staying informed and attentive to the Act’s requirements, employers can support compliance and maintain fair, respectful workplace practices.

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

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.