COVID-19 Legal Insights

LEGALcurrents: 

• March 30 – UPDATED: COVID-19 Guidance for the Construction and Design Industries
• March 24 – COVID-19 Guidance for the Construction and Design Industries

LEGALcurrents: 

• April 10 – CARES Act: Modifications to the Bankruptcy Code Expand Eligibility for Small Businesses for One Year

Firm Media Coverage:

February 15, 2021 – The First PPP-Related Indictment in Buffalo Has Been Handed Down. The Enforcement Actions Are Just Beginning – Buffalo Business First  

October 21, 2020 – Simplified Bankruptcy Option Could Help COVID-19-Troubled Businesses Land on their Feet – Buffalo Business First 

May 29, 2020 – Phase 2 Firms Establish Precautions as They Prepare to Reopen Offices – Rochester Business Journal

May 29, 2020 – Leading Businesses Towards Brighter Days – Buffalo Business First’s Small Business – Big Mission Special Report

May 11, 2020 – COVID-19 Impact on Buffalo’s Largest Law Firms: What’s Changed? – Buffalo Business First

LEGALcurrents and Media Coverage:

LEGALcurrents: 

• March 15, 2021 – Additional Small Business Relief Included in Newest Stimulus Package
• December 11 – Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020: Overview of PPP and Small Business Proposals
• December 31 – Stimulus Bill Creates Grant Program for Live Venues, Museums, Movie Theatres and Similiar Businesses
• December 11 – Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020: Overview of PPP and Small Business Proposals
• December 22 – Additional Relief Available to Businesses Under the Stimulus Relief Package
• October 8 – SBA Issues New Guidance for M&A Transactions and PPP Loans
• July 2 – Congress Passes an Extension of the PPP Loan Application Deadline
• June 4 – Senate Passes Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020
• May 28 – House Approves Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act
• May 18 – Treasury Releases Forgiveness Application for Paycheck Protection Program Loans
• May 14 – SBA Issues New FAQs on Borrower “Good-Faith Certification” for PPP Loans
• May 6 – Treasury Extends Repayment Date for “Safe Harbor” to May 14, 2020
• May 1 – Federal Reserve Releases Additional Guidance and FAQs on the Main Street Lending Program
• April 30 – Treasury Issues New FAQs and Interim Rule for PPP Loans Regarding Borrower Audits and Maximum Loan Amount
• April 28 – Treasury Releases Additional Guidance on PPP Loans
• April 24 – SBA Issues New FAQs Regarding Borrower Certification for PPP Loans
• April 22 – Senate Passes Interim Relief Package Containing Additional Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Funds 
• April 17 – Next Steps for PPP Loan Applicants
• April 15 – Additional Interim Final Rules Concerning Self-Employed Applicants Issued for Paycheck Protection Program Loans 

• April 10 – SBA Caps Advances Under the Economic Injury Disaster Loans

• April 9 – Federal Reserve Authorizes New Loan Programs for Main Street Businesses
• April 7 – Treasury Issues Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for the Paycheck Protection Program Loans
• April 6 – What to Do If You Obtain a PPP Loan
• April 5 – UPDATED: Interim Final Rules Issued for Paycheck Protection Program Loans
• April 4 – Treasury Issues Additional Guidance on Affiliation Rules for Applicants of PPP Loans Under the CARES Act
• April 3 – Interim Final Rules Issued for Paycheck Protection Program Loans 
• April 3 – The CARES Act: Relief for Residential Landlords with Federally Backed Mortgage Loans and Their Tenants
• April 1 – The CARES Act Provides Mid-Size Business and Main Street Business Loans to Help Stabilize the Economy
• March 26 – Monroe County Announces Loan Program to Support Small Businesses
• March 26 – Senate Approves Paycheck Protection Loan Program and Loan Forgiveness Under the CARES Act 
• March 23 – Considerations for Suspending Business Operations Under Force Majeure Clauses
• March 23 – SBA Offers Low-Interest Loans Aimed at Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

News: 

• March 17, 2021 – Preparing for a PPP Loan Audit – Completing the Loan Necessity Questionnaire – Rochester Business Journal
• July 17 – COVID-19’s Continued Impact on Loan Markets and the Status of Federal Aid Programs – Rochester Business Journal
• May 11 – COVID-19 Impact on Buffalo’s Largest Law Firms: What’s Changed? – Buffalo Business First
• April 23 – Connections: How Small Business Owners Can Access Federal Coronavirus Relief Funding – WXXI
• April 16 – One Buffalo Banker’s Reaction to PPP Running Out – Buffalo Business First
• April 16 – Will the CARES Act Help Keep Companies Afloat? – WBFO – NPR Buffalo/Toronto 
• April 3 – Connections: Discussing How People Affected by COVID-19 Can Access Assistance Through the CARES Act – WXXI

LEGALcurrents: 

• March 30 – Privacy and Data Security Risks During COVID-19 Pandemic

News:

• July 17 – Opening the Doors Again: Don’t Forget About Protecting Your Data – Rochester Business Journal

LEGALcurrents: 

• COVID-19 CARES Act Provisions and Other Employee Benefits Developments
• December 30 – COVID-19 “Stimulus Bill” Gives Employers Options to Relax Typical FSA Rules for Employees
• June 24 – IRS Issues Required Minimum Distribution and Rollover Guidance Under the CARES Act and SECURE Act
• June 4 – IRS Relaxes “Physical Presence” Requirements for Notarization for Retirement Plan Elections/Spousal Consent During 2020
• May 20 – COVID-19 CARES Act Provisions and Other Employee Benefits Developments
• May 14 – IRS Provides Additional COVID-19 Related Relief for Section 125 Plans

• May 7 – COVID-19 Deadline Extensions and Fiduciary Relief for Employee Benefit Plans Under DOL Disaster Relief Notice 2020-01

• May 5 – DOL and Treasury Announce Extensions of Benefit Plan Deadlines

• March 19 – Families First Coronavirus Response Act Requires Group Health Plans to Cover COVID-19 Testing
• March 18 – COVID-19 National Disaster Relief Declaration Paves Way for Employers to Provide Relief
• March 11 – IRS Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Testing and Treatment for HSA-Compatible High Deductible Plans

LEGALcurrents:

• December 30 – Legislation Affects Renewal of Certain Tax Exemptions
• December 11 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 12.11.2020
• November 30 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 11.30.2020
• November 18 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 11.18.2020
• November 12 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 11.12.2020
• October 20 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 10.20.2020
• October 7 – November 2020 Election Primer for New York
• October 6 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 10.6.2020
• September 24 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 9.24.2020
• September 3 –  2020 Governmental and Legislative Update for 9.3.2020
• July 24 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 7.24.2020
• July 13 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 7.13.2020
• July 8 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 7.8.2020
• July 6 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 7.6.2020
• June 25 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 6.25.2020
• June 24 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 6.24.2020
• June 11 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 6.11.2020
• June 7 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 6.7.2020
• June 2 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 6.2.2020
• May 29 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 5.29.2020
• May 22 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 5.22.2020
• May 19 – NYS Government and Legislative Update – The Latest Developments for 5.19.2020
• May 14 – NYS Government and Legislative Update – The Latest Developments for 5.14.2020
• May 11 – NYS Government and Legislative Update – Regional Reopening Plan
• May 8 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 5.8.2020
• May 5 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 5.5.2020
• May 1 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 5.1.2020
• April 28 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 4.28.2020
• April 24 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 4.24.2020
• April 21 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 4.21.2020
• April 15 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 4.15.2020
• April 13 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 4.13.2020
• April 9 – NYS Government and Legislative Update for 4.9.2020
• April 6 – NYS Legislative Session Update for 4.6.2020
• April 2 – 2020 – 2021 New York State Budget Update
• March 31 – NYS Legislative Session Update for 3.31.2020
• March 30 – NYS Legislative Session Update for 3.30.2020
• March 29 – NYS Legislative Session Update for 3.29.2020
• March 27 – NYS Legislative Session Update for 3.27.2020
• March 26 – NYS Legislative Session Update for 3.26.2020  
• March 25 – NYS Legislative Session Update for 3.25.2020
• March 24 – NYS Legislative Session Update for 3.24.2020
• March 23 – NYS Legislative Session Update for 3.23.2020  
• March 22 – Updates to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order and Empire State Development Guidance
• March 20 – Recent Update on Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders and NYS Budget Negotiations 
• March 20 – Governor Cuomo Mandates 100% of Workforce of Non-Essential Businesses Stay Home 
• March 19 – Governor Cuomo Elaborates on Workforce Reduction Executive Order 
• March 18 – Governor Cuomo Announces Executive Order on Non-Essential Business  
• March 17 – 2020 Legislative Session Update – The Latest Developments
• March 16 – The Latest on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the New York State Legislative Session 

LEGALcurrents:

• April 30 – New COVID-19-Related Skilled Nursing Facility Requirements Issued
• March 20 – COVID-19 Developments in Health Care

LEGALcurrents:

• June 30 – Updates to President Trump’s Immigration Travel Restrictions: Amendment to ‘Valid Visa’ Exception
• June 23 – President Trump Suspends Entry of Certain Temporary Visa Holders, with Significant Exceptions
• April 23 – New Immigration Ban Will Have Limited Impact on Employment-Based Immigration
• April 21 – President Trump Announces Plan to Suspend Immigration to U.S.
• April 2 – COVID-19 Immigration Implications for Employers
• March 12 – COVID-19 Travel Restriction Implications for Foreign Nationals

LEGALcurrents:

• December 16 – New York Attorney General’s Loss Shows Limits of Price-Gouging Laws
• March 26 – A Wave of Enforcement Actions May Follow in the Wake of COVID-19

LEGALcurrents:

• March 16, 2021 – Effective Immediately, New York Law Requires Paid COVID-19 Vaccination Leave
• January 26, 2021 – Guidance from the NY DOL on COVID-19 Sick Leave Places New Obligations on Employers
• April 14 – UPDATED: FAQs on Providing Face Coverings for Essential Employees in New York
• April 13 – FAQs on Providing Face Coverings for Essential Employees in New York 
• March 22 – Updates to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order and Empire State Development Guidance
• March 20 – Recent Update on Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders and NYS Budget Negotiations 
• March 20 – Governor Cuomo Mandates 100% of Workforce of Non-Essential Businesses Stay Home 
• March 19 – Governor Cuomo Elaborates on Workforce Reduction Executive Order 
• March 18 – Governor Cuomo Announces Executive Order on Non-Essential Business 
• March 18 – Update on Paid Sick Leave Legislation
• March 6 – Guidance for Employers on Responding to the Coronavirus

News:

• April 2, 2021 – Months In, Employers Still Debate Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations – Buffalo Business First
• March 16, 2021 – COVID Vaccine Sick Time: What Employers Need to Know – 13 WHAM News
• September 8 – Legal Guidance a Necessity for Companies Amid Coronavirus Uncertainty – Rochester Business Journal
• June 23 – Remote Work Is Also a Matter of Diversity and Inclusion – Rochester Business Journal
• June 1 – It’s Time for More Employees to Return to the Workplace. But What If They Refuse? – Buffalo Business First/Buffalo Law Journal
• May 14 – Lawyer to Businesses Reopening Friday: ‘Go Above and Beyond State Guidelines’ – News 8 WROC
• April 2 – Businesses Seeking Essential Status – The Daily Record 
• March 25 – Amid Pandemic, Webinars are a Virtual Necessity – Buffalo Business First/Buffalo Law Journal
• March 12 – Employers Left with Plenty of Coronavirus-Related Questions – 13WHAM
• March 12 – Coronavirus and Paid Leave: What are my rights as an employee in New York? – Democrat & Chronicle 

LEGALcurrents:

• December 30 – Legislation Affects Renewal of Certain Tax Exemptions
• May 13 – COVID-19 and Restrictive Covenant Agreements: Is a Wave of Enforcement Disputes Coming?
• March 27 – Resolving Your Disputes in the Age of COVID-19
• March 27 – Unprecedented: The Response of New York Courts to the Coronavirus Pandemic

News:

• July 10 – Pandemic Litigation is on the Horizon – Buffalo Business First
• May 1 – Local Attorneys Weigh in on Force Majeure Clauses, Employment During COVID-19 – Rochester Business Journal

LEGALcurrents:

• April 3 – The CARES Act: Relief for Residential Landlords with Federally Backed Mortgage Loans and Their Tenants

News:

• November 30 – Things to Consider Post-COVID for Commercial Landlord-Tenant Relationships – The Daily Record
• July 29 – Initiation Fees May Be Doorway to Needed Revenue for HOAs During Pandemic – The Daily Record
• July 6 – New Laws Covering Residential Real Estate and the COVID-19 Emergency – The Daily Record
• July 6 – Seek Protections from Landlord Before Signing a Sublease – The Daily Record
• June 1 – COVID-19 Brings Commercial Lease Enforcement Issues – The Daily Record
• April 29 – Coronavirus Triggers Rent Abatement Negotiations in Commercial Leasing – The Daily Record
• April 17 – Real Estate Investment Market May Look Different Post-COVID-19 – Rochester Business Journal
• March 31 – COVID-19 Presents Unique Challenges for Commercial Leasing – The Daily Record

LEGALcurrents:

• December 16 – SEC Settles First Enforcement Action Against a Public Company for Alleged Misleading Disclosures on COVID-19
• July 23 – SEC Updates COVID-19 Related Disclosure Guidance
• May 13 – Nasdaq Follows NYSE in Easing 20% Rule
• May 12 – SEC Provides Temporary Relief to Help Expedite Access to Capital for Reg CF Offerings
• May 8 – SEC Issues COVID-19-Related FAQs Offering Guidance on Deadline Relief
• May 4 – SEC Provides Guidance Regarding Investment Adviser PPP Loan Disclosure
• April 20 – Nasdaq Provides Temporary Relief for Listing Requirements Amid COVID-19 Pandemic 
• April 9 – Preventative Medicine: COVID-19 and Poison Pill Plans 
• March 17 – SEC Releases Guidance on COVID-19 Issues Associated with Annual Meetings of Stockholders 
• March 13 – SEC Guidance and Relief Related to COVID-19

News:

• June 15 – Raising Money Became Easier for Companies – and Few People Know – Buffalo Business First
• April 17 – Real Estate Investment Market May Look Different Post-COVID-19 – Rochester Business Journal

LEGALcurrents:

• April 11 – New Net Operating Loss Guidance from the IRS

News:

• September 4 – Estate Planning for Potential Political, Tax and Economic Changes: A Guide for Trustees – Rochester Business Journal
• July 10 – Leveraging Gifts in a Low Interest Rate Environment to Save on Estate Taxes – Rochester Business Journal
• April 8 – New York Quickly Drops U.S. Virus Relief on Tax Write-Offs – Bloomberg News

LEGALcurrents:

• March 20 – Relief for Notarizations in New York