Blog
Working From Home May Mean Changes to Worker’s Compensation Insurance
By Litigation Practice Group As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt life all over the world, many people are now working from home, and many employers have been forced into the difficult decision to temporarily close and/or furlough their workers. In Oregon,...
Employee Health and Welfare Benefits Considerations In the Time of COVID-19
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...
Lender CARES: Evaluating Options for Sole Proprietors, Independent Contractors and Gig Workers
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...
New IRS Requirements for Documenting FFCRA Paid Leave Requests
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...
Hey, Back Off: OSHA Announces Workplace Investigations Amid New Social Distancing Guidelines
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...
COVID-19’s Impact on Credit Reporting
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...
COVID-19 Orders May Increase Accessibility to Remote Notary Services
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...
Oregon’s DCBS Hits Pause on Insurance Cancellations and Non-Renewals
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...
Limited Oregon Court Access in Response to Coronavirus
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...
Commercial Lease Default Rates Expected to Rise as COVID-19 Continues to Impact Businesses – April 1st, 2020 Update
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...