MacDonald Illig Jones & Britton LLP

09/02/2026

🏗️ September’s focus at MacDonald Illig: Real Estate Development & Construction Law.

Real estate and construction projects can involve a lot of moving pieces. From closings and financing to construction contracts and disputes, our attorneys work with clients to address legal considerations throughout the process.

Throughout September, we’ll share FAQs, practical insights, and information about the legal issues that can arise in real estate development and construction.

Learn more about our Real Estate Law services at https://bit.ly/3VsHC4T and explore our Construction Law services at https://bit.ly/4mN1ITI

08/28/2026

📚 What does FERPA actually mean for families?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and gives parents certain rights to access them.

Education records go beyond grades and can include transcripts, class schedules, disciplinary records, and more.

When a student turns 18 or attends college, FERPA rights generally transfer to the student.

Understanding what’s protected helps families better understand student privacy.

For educational institutions navigating FERPA compliance, MacDonald Illig’s Education Practice Group can help.

🔗 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4cgC8mQ

08/27/2026

🎉 Check out this month's Manufacturer & Business Association Business Magazine for our client testimonial from Dr. Walter Iwanenko, President at Gannon University. Thank you, Dr. Iwanenko!

Link to the full August & September MBA Business Magazine: https://bit.ly/4qOCwz2

08/20/2026

MacDonald Illig would like to congratulate the following 20 lawyers named 2027 Best Lawyers in America® list:

▪️ Shaun Adrian
▪️ Jay Alberstadt, Jr.
▪️️ Patrick Delaney
▪️ John Draskovic
▪️ G. Michael Garcia II
▪️ Jennifer Hirneisen
▪️️ Mark Kuhar
▪️️ Matthew McCullough
▪️ Jack Mehler
▪️️ Daniel Miller
▪️️ Nicholas Pagliari
▪️️ Lisa Smith Presta
▪️ Jamie Schumacher
▪️️ Craig Shamburg
▪️️ Mark Shaw
▪️️ Colleen Stumpf
▪️️ Roger Taft
▪️️ Michael Thomas
▪️️ James Toohey
▪️️ Russell Warner

Full press release - https://bit.ly/3RXtLFW

We would also like to congratulate the following 7 lawyers recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America:

▪️ Lydia Caparosa
▪️ Kyle Gallo
▪️️ Taylor Korus
▪️️ Rachel Loper
▪️️ Emilie Swan Reinhardt
▪️️ Ashley Solo
▪️️ Nathan Venesky

View the full press release at https://bit.ly/4g7CE93

08/19/2026

Are schools responsible for identifying students who are experiencing homelessness?

🏫 Yes. Under the McKinney-Vento Act, schools have a responsibility to identify students experiencing homelessness.

Students and families do not need to use the word “homeless” or specifically request services to qualify. Awareness among school communities can help ensure eligible students are identified and connected with appropriate support.

⚖️ School districts seeking guidance on McKinney-Vento requirements can visit our website to contact our Education Practice Group. https://bit.ly/3RAHthL

08/12/2026

✨Lawyer Spotlight!✨

Brian's full bio and practice areas: https://bit.ly/3VVcv2Y

08/11/2026

💙 Today is Erie Gives Day!

At MacDonald Illig, we’re proud to be part of a community that shows up for the organizations that make the Erie region such a great place to live, work, and call home.

Today is an opportunity to support the many local nonprofits whose work strengthens our community every day. Whether your passion is the arts, education, health and human services, animals, the environment, or another cause close to your heart, every gift makes a difference.

We encourage you to explore the participating organizations and consider giving today.

Visit https://www.eriegives.org/ to learn more and make your gift.

Thank you to The Erie Community Foundation, participating nonprofits, donors, and volunteers who make Erie Gives possible!

Erie Gives is a project of The Erie Community Foundation (Tax ID #25-6032032). 100% of contributions are granted directly to the nonprofit organizations in support of their charitable mission.

08/07/2026

🌱 A little creativity and team building!

Our team recently enjoyed a succulent terrarium workshop with Steph's Sprouts. It was a great opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, spend time together, and create something unique.

Thank you to Steph’s Sprouts for a wonderful experience!

08/05/2026

🎓 August Highlight: Education & School Law

Education law affects students, families, educators, administrators, and the institutions that serve them.

Throughout August, we’ll share insights on three key areas:

⚖️ Student, faculty, and employee rights
📚 School policies and regulatory compliance
🛡️ Safety, risk management, and dispute resolution

Follow along to learn more about the legal issues shaping today’s educational environment.

Learn more about our Education Practice Group: https://bit.ly/3RAHthL

07/17/2026

Economic development projects don't happen by chance. They happen with the right team behind them.

From negotiating development agreements and securing financing to navigating regulatory requirements and managing risk, attorneys play an important role in helping projects move from concept to completion.

Want to learn how legal counsel supports successful economic development initiatives? Read the full FAQ on our website: https://bit.ly/4wayKSp