Based in Pittsburgh, PA
November 13th, 2016
By Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury
Pennsylvania offers virtually no relief for people to shed the stigma of a criminal record that denies them access to employment, housing and government benefits. Fortunately, the commonwealth is taking a step in the right direction as a new law … Click Here For Full Article
May 29th, 2016
By Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury
In Allegheny County, courts frequently turn away low-income parents in child-custody cases simply because they cannot pay the exorbitant filing fees. This must change. Astonishingly, parents who assert child-custody rights in Allegheny County must cough up almost $500 at the … Click Here For Full Article
March 8th, 2015
By Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury
Maureen Karr got a temporary protection-from-abuse order against her husband on grounds that he threatened to burn their house down. Two weeks later, according to police, James Karr made good on his promise and his wife died in the fire. … Click Here For Full Article
November 28th, 2013
By Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury
Pennsylvania’s Protection From Abuse Act was hailed nationwide when it was enacted as a progressive law providing crucial protections for victims of domestic violence. It enabled courts to issue emergency no-contact orders at a time when filing criminal charges was the only legal recourse for victims of abuse. It also featured a provision that remains controversial to this day: Courts could temporarily evict defendants from their homes based solely on a plaintiff’s accusations of abuse. Click Here For Full Article
November 28th, 2013
By Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury
At the age of 21, during her senior year in college, Shauna Prewitt was raped. She became pregnant, opted to keep the child and had a baby girl.
Ms. Prewitt pressed criminal charges against her attacker. Her rapist responded by asserting legal custody rights over their child. Ms. Prewitt promptly withdrew her criminal complaint. Her attacker then followed suit by withdrawing his custody petition.
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November 24th, 2013
By Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury
Todd Spivak, an attorney and former investigative reporter whose work was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, has opened a law firm at West Liberty and Potomac avenues in Dormont. The practice focuses on family law and criminal defense cases. Click Here For Full Article
