Alan Yatvin

Yatvin essay published in The Champion magazine

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The May issue of The Champion, magazine of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) contains an essay by Popper & Yatvin partner, Alan L. Yatvin.

Informal Opinion: Representing ‘Those People’ Achieves Justice

By Alan L. Yatvin

“How can you represent those people?” In three decades as a criminal defense attorney, I had heard that question many times — at cocktail parties and from prosecutors, police, victims, law students, and once even from a judge. It comes with the territory. I understand that people accused of crimes are often automatically condemned, while their lawyers are regarded with contempt. However, as I walked along that steamy January afternoon, I was shocked by the source of the question. This time it was my wife, Laura, prompted by a just completed hour-long audio tour of a former fruit orchard on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

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Yatvin a 2017 Super Lawyer

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The 2017 list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers includes Alan L. Yatvin of the Philadelphia Law Firm Popper & Yatvin.  This is Yatvin’s 14th consecutive year of being honored, having been named a Super Lawyer every year since the program’s creation in 2004. The Super Lawyer distinction is given to only a very small percentage of Pennsylvania‘s … Read more

Yatvin appointed Senior Legal Consultant at the ICC

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On March 14, 2017, Popper & Yatvin partner Alan L. Yatvin was appointed Senior Legal Consultant to the Defence team of Mr. Aimé Kilolo Musamba in the case of The Prosecutor vs. Jean-Pierre Bemba et al. (ICC-01/05-01/13), at the International Criminal Court (ICC) sitting in The Hague, The Netherlands.

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Protecting special needs students when charter schools close

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One of the unintended consequences of the proliferation of charter schools is that, unlike public school districts, they can easily go bankrupt or lose their charter and close. While such closures are painful for all the enrolled students and their families, already vulnerable students with educational disabilities are especially exposed. Not only must they often find an alternative placement on short notice, but there will frequently be a lag in provision of services at their new school. Because these closures are rarely telegraphed in advance, timing often renders the option of other charter schools or special admission public schools unavailable.

Another consequence of such closings is the complicating of avenues for challenging decisions of those school that continue to dog special needs students.  If a charter school makes an agreement with a parent, then disappears, what is the parent to do? If a charter school fails to identify or inadequately identifies a child’s disability, or owes a child compensatory education for services not provided, how does a parent pursue the traditional administrative processes for relief? And how do parents without resources get a lawyer to help them?

On December 5, 2016, those questions were answered in a case brought by Popper & Yatvin partner Alan L. Yatvin: R.V. Individually and on Behalf of S.V-W., a Minor, v. Pedro A. Rivera, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Education, E.D.Pa. Civil Action No. 16-2277.

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Governor signs Pennsylvania School Diabetes Care Law

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Popper & Yatvin partner Alan L. Yatvin, is pleased to announce that Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has signed legislation insuring the rights and safety of children with diabetes in Pennsylvania schools.  Alan is a Director of the American Diabetes Association and a former national chair of legal advocacy.  The Association’s press release appears below.

American Diabetes Association Celebrates Signing of Pennsylvania School Diabetes Care Law

Legislation protects the rights of students with diabetes to safe care at school and access to activities

Alexandria, VA (July 18, 2016) – The American Diabetes Association today celebrates the passage of Pennsylvania school diabetes care legislation ensuring that children living with diabetes have a support system in place that allows them to be medically safe at school and have the same educational opportunity as their peers. The legislation, part of House Bill 1606, was signed into law Wednesday, July 13 by Governor Tom Wolf. It is effective immediately and allows for non-nursing school staff to be trained to provide routine and emergency care for students with diabetes, and also supports students who are able to independently self-manage their diabetes.

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Yatvin on Sirus XM’s Knowledge@Wharton

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On Thursday, November 19, 2015, at 11am ET, Popper & Yatvin partner, Alan L. Yatvin, will be a guest on Knowledge@Wharton, a daily, call-in business interview program, broadcasting live on Sirius XM from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Alan will be speaking with host Dan Loney about the rights of children with … Read more

Diabetes Care in the School Setting: A Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association

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Popper & Yatvin partner Alan L. Yatvin was a member of the writing group for Diabetes Care in the School Setting: A Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association,  (ADA) published in the journal Diabetes Care, October 2015 vol. 38 no. 10 1958-1963.

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Yatvin quoted by The New York Times

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Popper & Yatvin partner Alan L. Yatvin was quoted by The New York Times in an October 27, 2015, article: Many Schools Failing on Type 1 Diabetes Care.  The article highlights the failure of many schools to provide students with type 1 diabetes with the routine care they need, and the fact that often parents … Read more

Marissa’s Story

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Four year old Marissa really needed a preschool.  Her mother, Evelyn, was struggling with intensive treatment for breast cancer and her father had a chronic, progressive disease that required him to use a wheelchair.   But Marissa was full of life and ready to get going on her education. She wanted to start preschool, but her low income family could not pay for it themselves. Fortunately, Marissa got into a publicly funded Head Start prekindergarten program sponsored by her public school district. After starting in September she had a fabulous three months.  She practically jumped out of her skin with excitement every morning as her grandmother, Helena, helped her get ready for school.  Then she began her school day enjoying a federally funded breakfast with her classmates.  Afterwards she zipped through a full day of learning and play.  Once a week she met with a speech and language therapist to get help with her speech disability.

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