Coronavirus (COVID-19)

May 7, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

UK Construction Remobilisation Considerations

The construction industry in the UK has been afforded the freedom to continue work where it is safe to do so since the lockdown was implemented. It is a freedom that the sector has done its best to exploit where it can, with significant works continuing on a variety of essential and less essential projects. A number of leading construction companies and housebuilders have continued or recommenced work where they are able to do so, and a number of high profile projects are apparently progressing well. Build UK has reported that its members, who comprise some of the largest contractors operating in the UK, are now working on 73% of sites (up from 69% last week). However, the issues for the industry facing the prospect of full remobilisation to all sites have not changed.

To read the full text of this post by Steve Nichol and Matthew Friedlander, please visit the Duane Morris London Blog.

May 6, 2020September 18, 2020 by Duane Morris

Maryland Governor Announces Elective Surgery and Certain Outdoor Activities May Resume; Schools Will Remain Closed for Remainder of School Year

On the afternoon of May 6, 2020, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan provided updates on the state’s COVID-19 recovery, following his April 24 announcement of a three-stage plan to reopen the state.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

May 6, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

New Jersey Extends COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Until June 5, 2020

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order 138 (“EO 138”), which extends the Public Health Emergency declared on March 9, 2020 under Executive Order 103 for another 30 days until June 5, 2020.

To read the full text of this blog post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

May 6, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

SBA Extends Safe Harbor Date for Repayment of Paycheck Protection Program Loans and Clarifies Rules for Counting Employees of Foreign and U.S. Affiliates

On May 5, 2020, the Treasury Department released an updated FAQ sheet that extends the safe harbor date to May 14, 2020, for any Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan borrower that determines it does not meet the need certification and repays the loan in full. The same day, the Small Business Administration issued an interim final rule addressing determination of employee headcount and nondiscrimination laws applicable to PPP loan recipients.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

May 6, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Adjudication for UK Construction Disputes During the COVID-19 Lockdown

In the UK, adjudication remains one of the quickest and most cost-effective methods of resolving construction disputes. As most people adjust to the “new normal” of working from home and away from the usual office environment, adjudication may not be at the top of everyone’s agenda. That is somewhat ironic given that the current COVID-19 situation is fast becoming a potential breeding ground for construction disputes.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorneys Vijay Bange and Tanya Chadha, please visit the Duane Morris London Blog.

May 6, 2020September 18, 2020 by Duane Morris

Dept. of Treasury Extends Safe Harbor for the Return of PPP Dollars to May 14, 2020

By update to their Frequently Asked Questions, on May 5, 2020, the US Treasury added a new question 43, which extended the “safe harbor” repayment date for PPP loans from May 7 until May 14, 2020.

To read the full text of this blog post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

May 5, 2020August 28, 2020 by Duane Morris

New Benefits Regulation in Response to COVID-19 Extends Timelines, Including Those Applicable to COBRA

On April 29, 2020, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service and Department of the Treasury together issued a joint final regulation extending certain time frames under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code for group health plans, disability and other welfare plans, pension plans, and benefits and beneficiaries of these plans during the COVID-19 national emergency.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

May 5, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

California Assembly Bill 828 Would Halt Residential Foreclosures During COVID-19 Emergency – But Is It Enforceable?

If passed, California Assembly Bill 828 would prevent action to foreclose on a residential real property while a state or locally declared state of emergency related to COVID-19 is in effect, and for 15 days after the state of emergency has ended.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

May 5, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

Small Business Administration Opens Economic Injury Disaster Loan Applications to Agricultural Businesses

On May 4, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) resumed accepting Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications from eligible “agricultural enterprises” with 500 or fewer employees on a limited basis in order to provide relief to U.S. agricultural businesses. This updates our prior Alert.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

May 5, 2020 by Duane Morris

Reconnecting With Clients From a Distance During Lockdown

We didn’t have much time before the Coronavirus lockdown to wonder what it’d be like. If we’d had more time to think about it, maybe we’d have been fearful. What would social distancing mean in a work context? Businesses would have new and urgent problems, but how would stakeholders engage, collaborate and solve them? How would external lawyers support businesses with these new and urgent needs? Even if we could travel to clients’ offices, there’d be no-one there. Would lawyers become disconnected from businesses?

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Alex Geisler, please visit the Duane Morris London Blog.