Resources for COVID-19 Response

Responding to the Coronavirus Outbreak

We are writing about the outbreak on a regular basis, and plan to keep our clients updated about key issues as they happen. Bookmark this page to stay up to date. To view our articles in order of recency, click here.

ARTICLE INDEX

    • Breweries & Restaurants     • Estate Planning   • Individuals    • Parents
    • Businesses   • Employers   • Intellectual Property    • Personal Injury   
    • Community Associations   • Health Care Providers     • Lenders    • Work from Home   
    • Construction   • Hemp   • Local Governments   

Businesses:

PPP Loans, Episode Two – Is the Sequel Worth Watching?, January 5, 2021

Approved COVID-19 Relief Bill: What Small Businesses Need to Know about PPP, December 28, 2020

Questions Raised by the PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaire, November 4, 2020

We’ll See How "Temporary": U.S. Department of Labor Issues New Temporary Rule Interpreting Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, November 4, 2020

"Don't Tread on Me": Customers' Religious Objections to Mandated Use of Face Masks in the Era of COVID-19, September 3, 2020

PPP Loan Forgiveness Denied – An Overview of the PPP Loan Review Decision and Appeal Process, September 2, 2020

COVID-19 Update: Reopening Your Business, House Bill 118, and Executive Order 163, September 2, 2020

New Forgiveness Flexibility for PPP Borrowers, June 5, 2020

COVID-19 Eviction Moratoriums: Need-To-Know Information for NC Landlords and Tenants, June 4, 2020

A Few Unanswered Questions About PPP Loan Forgiveness, May 29

Reopening After COVID-19: What Business Owners Should Know, May 28

A Few Questions Answered – SBA issues PPP Loan Application and Additional Interim Final Rules, May 27, 2020

NC Modestly Moves into Phase 2: What NC Businesses Need to Know, May 21, 2020

How Outdoor Sports and Recreation Operations Can Legally Protect Themselves in a Post COVID-19 Environment, May 21, 2020

Update: SBA Creates New PPP Safe Harbor Rule, Extends Deadline to May 18, May 14, 2020

"Do I Need to Return My PPP Loan?" SBA Extends Safe Harbor Deadline to May 14, May 7, 2020

COVID-19 Closed My Business. Can I Still Reorganize in Bankruptcy?, May 5, 2020

PPP Loan Proceeds: Forgive, Pay and Forget it, or Not?, April 30, 2020

Business Law Lessons from the Tiger King, April 29, 2020

The PPP and Health Care Enhancement Act of 2020: Get Ready for Round 2, April 24, 2020

Finally, the SBA is Ready to Make Your Loan Payments, April 20, 2020

Can the New Small Business Chapter 11 Save Your B&B or Airbnb?, April 17, 2020

Federal COVID-19 Relief for Agribusinesses, April 16, 2020

Significant Paycheck Protection Program Guidance for Franchisees, Hotels, and Lenders, April 16, 2020

Recordkeeping Requirements Under FFCRA, April 16, 2020

Faith-Based Organizations: Guidance for Eligible Paycheck Protection Program Loans, April 13, 2020

Governor Adds New COVID-19 Social Distancing Regulations for Retailers, April 10, 2020

Updated Business Affiliation Rules: Key Information for Paycheck Protection Program Borrowers, April 9, 2020

New Paycheck Protection Loan Guidance for Businesses and Lenders, April 9, 2020

COVID and Defense Contractors: Fighting for the Future, April 9, 2020

COVID-19 and Force Majeure: What Businesses Should Know, April 6, 2020

FAQ: Paycheck Protection Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans, April 3, 2020

Paycheck Protection Program Loans and the Business Affiliation Rules: "Don't Wing It", April 3, 2020

For Existing SBA Loans, the SBA Will Make Your Payments for Six Months, April 1, 2020

Treasury Department Releases Vital Paycheck Protection Program Information, March 31, 2020

Environmental Enforcement Discretion Guidance from U.S. EPA for COVID-19 Disruptions, March 31, 2020

The Force Majeure and Rent Abatement Clauses in the Commercial Lease Agreement, March 27, 2020

Will Your Business Need a Re-Entry Certificate in the Event of a N.C. Shelter-In-Place Order?, March 27, 2020 

CARES Act Raises Small Business Bankruptcy Debt Ceiling to $7,500,000, March 27, 2020

CARES Act: Providing Payroll Relief to Employers in Response to COVID-19, March 27, 2020

COVID-19 Relief Package to Include Small Business Loans, March 26, 2020

COVID-19 Tax Alert – The Tax Man Lends a Helping Hand, March 26, 2020

Alert: Congressional Leaders Strike Deal to Bring Financial Help to the Nation, Details Unknown and the Deal Is Not Yet Law, March 25, 2020

Understanding the New "Fast-Pass" Small Business Bankruptcy Process, March 24, 2020

Preparing for an Uncertain Future: Is Your Business Ready to Tackle Important Legal Issues Raised by a Shelter-in-Place Order?, March 24, 2020

SPECIAL ALERT: Governor Roy Cooper Shutters More Businesses and Extends K-12 Public School Closure, March 24, 2020

Federal & State Response Update: DHS Identifies "Critical" Industries; Plus Guidance on NC's Emergency Re-Entry Certification Program, March 20, 2020

Employers:

COVID-19 Paid Leave in 2021: The Impact of New Federal Relief Bill on Employers, January 5, 2021

Back to School: What School Reopening Plans Mean for Employers, July 24, 2020

Liability Waivers and Questionnaires in the Time of COVID-19, June 17, 2020

Returning to Work in a Pandemic: What Employers Need to Know, May 21, 2020

Employers ask "How do I get my workers back to the workplace?", May 8, 2020

Practical Considerations for Your "Return to Work" Plan, May 5, 2020

Didn’t See That Coming: Unexpected Results of FFCRA Paid-Leave "Temporary" Regulations, April 22, 2020

COVID-19 and Benefits: "Now, a Word from Your HR Director" April 9, 2020

The New Normal – Teleworking Challenges and Solutions, April 7, 2020

New COVID-19 Guidance for Public Sector Employers, April 3, 2020

NEW Guidance (as of 3.31.20): Third Round of Informal Guidance and FAQs on the FFCRA Issued, March 31, 2020

COVID-19 Update for Employers: New Key Guidance, March 27, 2020

Employers Required to Post Employee Rights Notice Under Families First Coronavirus Response Act, March 26, 2020

Contagion II: MORE Practical Advice for NC Employers Wrestling with COVID-19, March 20, 2020

"Hold On, Help Is on the Way:" U.S. Senate Passes Second COVID-19 Relief Bill, March 19, 2020

What the EEOC Wants You to Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19, March 19, 2020

Contagion: Practical Advice for North Carolina Employers in the Face of Coronavirus, March 16, 2020

Online Liability Waiver Review

Individuals:

CDC Enacts New Residential Eviction Moratorium, September 3, 2020

Temporary Relief for NC Taxpayers Under New COVID-19 Legislation, May 6, 2020

North Carolina's Stay-At-Home Order Extended through May 8, 2020, April 23, 2020

If You File a Schedule C, Take Note: SBA Offers Guidance for Self-Employed PPP Loan Applicants, April 15, 2020

Whodunnit? Understanding Who Is Responsible for COVID-19 Restrictions, April 10, 2020

"Drive-In" Worship Services OK'ed By Governor, Check Local Restrictions, April 9, 2020

COVID-19 Cancelled My Event. What Now? April 9, 2020

The CARES Act Provides Additional Relief to Consumer Debtors in Bankruptcy, April 7, 2020

North Carolina's Stay-At-Home Order: What Do You Need to Know?, March 27, 2020

Enhanced Unemployment Assistance under the CARES Act, March 27, 2020

Federal Regulators Urge Banks to Work with Borrowers Affected by the Coronavirus, March 16, 2020

EPA Can Help You Keep It Clean in a World with COVID-19, March 16, 2020

Estate Planning:

Is it Time to "Use it or Lose it?", June 3, 2020

New NC Law Relaxes Requirements for Execution of Estate Planning Documents, May 5, 2020

Estate Planning Considerations That Apply "Across the Board," and Not Just in Times of Global Pandemic, April 13, 2020

Making Estate Planning Lemonade – Part II Opportunities in a Low Interest Rate Environment, April 1, 2020

Turning Low Value Lemons Into Estate Planning Lemonade: Gifting Opportunities, March 31, 2020 

Update: Tax Filing Deadlines Moved to July 15 Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic, *Updated on March 27, 2020

Essential Documents: Preparing for COVID-19, March 26, 2020

Construction Industry Companies:

North Carolina Extends Certain Real Property Development Approvals, May 8, 2020

The Importance of Reviewing and Complying with Performance Bonds, April 7, 2020

Protecting Your Payment Rights in the Wake of the Coronavirus, March 19, 2020

Now Is the Time to Review Your Force Majeure Clause, March 19, 2020

Addressing Financial Impacts of the COVID-19 Crisis on Construction Companies, March 19, 2020

Local Governments:

Local Government Laws Updated to Deal with COVID-19 and States of Emergency, May 7, 2020

Is an NC Coronavirus Bail Out Coming? When & How We Expect the NCGA to Provide Relief to Businesses & Individuals, April 17, 2020

AG's Office Gives Guidance on Remote Meetings for Local Governments, March 30, 2020

Breweries and Restaurants:

The ABC Laws, They Are a Changing, March 20, 2020

Gov. Roy Cooper Orders Restaurants and Bars to Close Dine-In Service, Announces New Help for Unemployed, March 17, 2020

Health Care Providers:

CARES Act Provider Relief Fund – Acceptance of Funds Comes with Conditions, April 20, 2020

FFCRA Health Care Providers Exemption: New Guidance Published, March 31, 2020

The CARES Act and the Healthcare Industry, March 27, 2020

Are Health Care Providers Exempt from the FFCRA Paid Leave Requirements?, March 26, 2020

Personal Injury:

What To Do First if You Are Involved in a Car Accident in North Carolina, May 13, 2020

The Law on Nursing Home Injuries in North Carolina, April 7, 2020

Lenders:

Loan Modification and Reporting During the COVID-19 Crisis, April 8, 2020

Foreclosure and Forbearance Under the CARES Act, April 2, 2020

SBA Allows Scanned Copies of Documents During COVID-19 Crisis, March 27, 2020

Servicing SBA Loans during the COVID-19 Crisis, March 18, 2020

Community Associations:

Don't Dive Right In! Strategies for Opening Community Pools in the Wake of COVID-19, May 19, 2020

Economic and Financial Uncertainty: How a Homeowners' Association Can Protect Itself, April 30, 2020

Desperate Times Call for…Taco Tuesday? Navigating the Use of Food Trucks in HOA Communities During COVID-19, April 15, 2020

HOA Boards and the Coronavirus, March 16, 2020

Divorced or Separated Parents:

Courts, Custody, & Choices: How to Address New or Existing Issues, April 23, 2020

7 Guidelines for Parents Sharing Custody of Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic, March 18, 2020

Intellectual Property:

Further Extensions of USPTO Deadlines under the CARES Act, April 30, 2020

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Extensions Under the CARES Act, April 2, 2020

Ward and Smith Launches COVID-19 Response Team

Hemp Industry:

Help for the Hemp Industry in the COVID-19 Crisis, April 3, 2020

Work from Home

The New Normal – Teleworking Challenges and Solutions, April 7, 2020

Working Remotely and Cyber Security During the COVID-19 Outbreak, March 26, 2020

About Ward and Smith's Response Plan and Team:

New Online Liability Waiver Review Service for Reopening Businesses, May 8, 2020

Ward and Smith Creates Loan "Forgiveness Maximizer™" Report for PPP Borrowers, April 30, 2020

Ward and Smith Launches Online Estate Planning "Essentials Package", April 24, 2020

Ward and Smith Launches COVID-19 Response Team for Client Questions, Concerns, March 19, 2020

Ward and Smith's Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), March 13, 2020

 

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