HSE COVID-19 Task Force
HSE has established a multi-disciplinary COVID-19 Task Force to guide clients through these extraordinary times. For inquiries related to specific legal specialties, please feel free to reach out directly to our Task Force members below, or your regular HSE contact. We stand ready to provide guidance and help in any way we can.
Corporate, Commercial Agreements, Force Majeure, Small Business Loans
- 585.231.1106
- tanderson@hselaw.com
Data Protection and Cybersecurity
- 585.231.1435
- fgreene@hselaw.com
- 716.844.3752
- lschwalbe@hselaw.com
- 716.844.3741
- daltieri@hselaw.com
Employee Benefits: Health & Welfare Plans
- 716.844.3742
- jbrill@hselaw.com
Employee Benefits: Retirement Plans
- 716.844.3708
- pholloway@hselaw.com
Business Restructuring and Creditors' Rights
- 716.844.3738
- ngatto@hselaw.com
Government Affairs
- 518.434.4377
- akellogg@hselaw.com
- 585.231.1112
- jjennings@hselaw.com
COVID-19 Legal Insights
Harter Secrest & Emery attorneys continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. This page contains, and is regularly updated with, legal guidance to help employers navigate these unique and challenging circumstances.
Please also refer to our COVID-19 Federal Aid Program page that contains insights and perspectives on the entire lifecycle of participation in a COVID-19 financial aid program, including information on the government’s criminal and civil fraud enforcement actions, key judicial decisions, and documents about laws, rules and forms governing the PPP and COVID-19 related EIDL program.
Upcoming Webinars
Please check back.
On-Demand Webinars
For a complete listing of our webinar recordings related to COVID-19, please click here.
News | LEGALcurrents
LEGALcurrents:
LEGALcurrents:
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:
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 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:
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:
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:
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