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By Randall Cook and Christine Moehl, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Attorneys During this public health crisis, employers are having to make hard decisions including employee lay-offs, terminations, and furloughs. Employers often ask how this affects the employer-provided health and welfare benefits for their employees. Here are some considerations for employers with regard to those …
By Erich Paetsch, Creditor’s Rights & Bankruptcy and Litigation Attorney When the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act became law on March 27, 2020, government support programs were made available to independent contractors and other small businesses decimated by COVID-19 and the public health response. In a rapidly changing environment, many of these small …
By Randall Sutton, Partner – Employment Law & Litigation Practice Group The Department of Labor (DOL) and IRS provided additional guidance for employers last week regarding paid leave requests under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Employers who grant paid leave under the FFCRA are eligible to have 100% of the wages paid offset …
By David Briggs, Attorney in the Employment Law and Litigation Practice Groups The flood of new state and federal regulations has wreaked havoc on many employers struggling with payroll, layoffs, new paid leave laws, government protections, and loans. Now to top it all off, OSHA has announced that it has started doing unannounced inspections. It …
By Litigation Practice Group On April 1, 2020, and as part of the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) issued a policy statement (“Statement”) to guide lenders and credit reporting agencies as to their reporting obligations under the recently-passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). In the Statement, …
By Margaret Gander-Vo, Real Estate & Land Use Attorney Notarizing deeds, wills, and other documents during the COVID-19 pandemic while attempting to maintain recommended social distancing practices as created a significant challenge. Some banks are utilizing drive-up windows to facilitate necessary witnessing. Other offices have implemented systems where the notary and the signer take turns …
By Litigation Practice Group As COVID-19 continues to impact Oregonians, the State continues to issue orders aimed at lessening its effects. On March 25, 2020, on the heels of Governor Brown’s moratorium on nonpayment-based residential evictions, Oregon’s Department of Consumer and Business Services (“DCBS”) issued an order (the “Order”) directing all insurers in the state to suspend all cancellations …
By Litigation Practice Group On Friday, March 27, 2020, Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Martha clarified how Oregon State courts will operate as part of the state’s continuing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the form of a Chief Justice Order, Chief Justice Walters clarified which court processes must be conducted in person at Oregon courthouses …
By Alan Sorem, Real Estate & Land Use Attorney The recent quarantine orders have had significant impacts on individuals, businesses, and the economy. Commercial lease default rates will spike as retail and office users are forced to close or dramatically change their businesses. Effective April 1, 2020, Oregon Governor’s Executive Order 20-13 ordered a moratorium …
By Caleb Williams, Business & Taxation Attorney, and Erich Paetsch, Creditor’s Rights & Bankruptcy and Litigation Attorney The US Treasury in coordination with the US Small Business Administration just released its initial guidance for borrowers and lenders on the Paycheck Protection Program loans authorized by the CARES Act. The guidance includes important information for small …