Meta’s Teen Safety Settlement Is a Start. Here’s What Parents Should Do This School Year.
Recently, I joined a briefing Meta hosted for parent and child-safety advocates on its new agreement with a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general. Antigone Davis, Meta’s global head of safety, walked through what will change on Instagram and Facebook for teenagers, and she was candid about the agreement’s limits. One line stayed with me. […]
El costo oculto de las encimeras de cuarzo
El nuevo material para encimeras de cuarzo, conocido también como piedra artificial o cuarzo de diseño, contiene concentraciones extremadamente altas de sílice cristalina. Cortar, esmerilar y pulir las losas de piedra artificial libera partículas respirables de sílice capaces de penetrar profundamente en los pulmones de los trabajadores y causar silicosis, una enfermedad incurable que en […]
The Hidden Cost of Quartz Countertops
New quartz countertop material, sometimes referred to as artificial stone or engineered-quartz, contains extremely high concentrations of crystalline silica. Cutting, grinding, and polishing the slabs of artificial stone releases respirable silica particles capable of penetrating deep into a worker’s lungs and causes silicosis, an incurable disease sometimes requiring lung transplants or resulting in death. Silicosis […]
Locks Law Firm Secures Seven-Figure Settlement in Benzene Exposure Case
Locks Law Firm settled the case Matarazzo vs United States Steel Corporation for a confidential seven-figure amount. The case took legal action against some of the largest oil companies in the world, among others. The suit alleged that severe illnesses were directly linked to occupational benzene exposure from the defendant’s industrial products. Mr. Matarazzo was […]
Nearly 50 Years in the Trenches with Marc Weingarten
Before there was an asbestos litigation practice at 1500 Walnut Street, there were hearing-loss cases. Gene Locks was representing Philadelphia Naval Shipyard workers in hearing loss federal compensation claims when he noticed they kept telling him that they had an unusual lung disease that he learned was called asbestosis. That front-row seat to the pattern […]
From Ledgers to Litigation: A Lesson in Mentorship
Less than a year ago, Mark Metzler was still waiting on bar exam results. Today, he’s drafting 90-page complaints, arguing in Philadelphia’s discovery court, and learning the complex litigation associated with benzene cases from partners. The reason Mark feels he is working like this, rather than the routine tasks typically assigned to first-year associates, is […]
Summer Interns: Building Skills for Future Lawyers
Every summer, a new group of interns joins Locks Law, expecting to learn about the law. They are eager to learn from the entire team, from paralegals to partners. They sit in on depositions and research experts. Quickly, each one discovers just how much happens before anyone ever says, “Your Honor.” This year’s class comes […]
New Jersey Moves to Give Trafficking Survivors the Time They Deserve
Francesca Iacovangelo, Locks Law Firm Much of my work at Locks Law Firm is about giving voice to victims, so for someone who comes to work every day to defend victims’ rights, it was gratifying to see New Jersey Senate Bill 1270 pass the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously. The bill, which would substantially extend the […]
Chelsea Tank Farm – Massive Gasoline Leak
Berger Montague and Locks Law Firm File Class Action for Residents Affected by Massive Gasoline Leak at Aston, Pa. Chelsea Tank Farm The Complaint alleges that Monroe Energy, LLC and MIPC, LLC concealed a months-long leak that released approximately 378,000 gallons of gasoline into a Delaware County neighborhood, contaminating soil, groundwater, drinking water, and indoor […]
Chris Johnson’s ALS Diagnosis Is a Heartbreaking Reminder of Football’s Hidden Costs
Throughout my career, the core of my work has been helping people in need, often those suffering medical repercussions from their work, whether from asbestos exposure, benzene, or years spent playing in the NFL. In an emotional interview on “Good Morning America,” former NFL running back Chris Johnson revealed that he was diagnosed last year […]
Welcome to our Growing Team
At Locks Law Firm, growth has always been intentional. We are client-first, and growth is born from client demand. Last month, we announced a new attorney joining the firm, and this month, we are pleased to announce that three new paralegals have joined the firm. Erica Messics, Sara Lynch, and Gyu Ri Kim are dedicated […]
Pride, Policing, and the Ongoing Fight for Civil Rights
This year’s Pride celebration in Philadelphia was followed by serious concerns about police activity in the Gayborhood. What should have been a day of celebration and community ended with reports of improper law enforcement activity, fifteen arrests, and criticism from LGBTQ+ leaders and community members. Councilmember Rue Landau put it plainly, “police brutality has no […]