Oregon DCBS Guidance to Collection Agencies and Debt Buyers Regarding COVID-19

By Litigation Practice Group On April 30, 2020, Oregon’s Department of Consumer and Business Services (“DCBS”) published Bulletin No. DFR 2020-2014 (the “Bulletin”) to provide guidance to Oregon-regulated collection agencies and debt purchasers to actively help debtors hit by the economic effects of the novel coronavirus. The Bulletin follows guidance issued at the end of March 2020 to lenders

New Funding is Now Available for PPP Loans

By Caleb Williams, Attorney in the Business & Taxation Law Practice Group Congress has approved additional funding for the Paycheck Protection loan program for small businesses. The action allocates an additional $310 billion to the program. The CARES Act, which created the loan program, allocated an initial $349 billion to fund PPP loans. That funding

Top 5 Compliance Tips for the New FFCRA

By Jennifer Paul, Attorney in the Employment Law, Litigation and Condemnation & Unconstitutional Takings Practice Groups Since the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) went into effect on April 1, 2020, there has been a push by government agencies to release regulations and guidance. The initial temporary rule was published on April 6, 2020, and

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, these consequences have triggered the need for guidance and clarification from the 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 Walters clarified which court processes must be conducted in person at Oregon courthouses

Paycheck Protection Program Guidance Now Released

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

Small Business Assistance Under the CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or “CARES Act” was signed into law on March 27, 2020, in response to the Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic. The CARES Act provides financial assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID 19. To assist our clients in understanding what benefits may be available through this legislation, we

Oregon DCBS Issues Guidance to In-State Lenders in Response to COVID-19

By Litigation Practice Group On March 20, 2020, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (“DCBS”) published Bulletin No. DFR 2020-07 (the “Bulletin”) to provide guidance to Oregon-regulated lenders and loan servicers in extending help to borrowers struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the difficulty that many Oregon businesses and individuals will and may have in repaying