On September 8, 2020, the EEOC again updated What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws. The update contains important new guidance to help employers manage employee requests lawfully while reopening offices and other workplaces. Read more.
September 29, 2020
The new mandatory New York State Sick Leave Law (NYSSLL) goes into effect September 30, 2020. First enacted in April 2020, the law requires New York employers of all sizes to provide employees with the right to accrue varying amounts of either sick or unpaid sick leave depending on employer size and income. Employees may be restricted from using sick leave until January 1, 2021. Read more.
September 29, 2020
As production begins to restart in an ever changing COVID-19 landscape, The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and other major studios announced an important deal with the DGA, IATSE, Teamsters, Basic Crafts, and SAG-AFTRA -- meant to ensure the safety and security of their members during the upcoming months. Read more.
September 22, 2020
It has been six months since the initial wave of government mandated “stay-at-home” orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, we have seen at least four important litigation trends emerge. Here’s a rundown of these trends and how they are affecting businesses and individuals. Read more.
September 22, 2020
The current COVID-19 crisis has forced businesses and their counsel to undertake remote mediations. The cost savings, convenience, and expedited scheduling associated with remote mediations guarantee that they will continue in the future, including well after COVID-19 abates. Here are five steps all clients and practitioners can take to help optimize their mediations. Read more.
September 22, 2020
With businesses continuing to reopen, one critical concern is the potential for liability if individuals become severely ill or die from a COVID-19 infection after frequenting the business. Personal injury and wrongful death claims based on COVID-19 are already being filed against businesses across the country. Read more.
September 22, 2020
On September 4, 2020, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a federal ban on residential evictions until December 31, 2020 to stop the spread of COVID-19. Read more.
September 9, 2020
Tax- exempt organizations have suffered uniquely during the pandemic. Museums and other arts and cultural institutions have been shuttered, and donations to organizations not focused on COVID-19 remediation are down. Amidst that, perhaps no other group of tax-exempt organizations faces as many challenges today as schools. Read more.
September 8, 2020
By Executive Order 202.60 issued September 4, 2020, New York’s remote notarization and document execution procedures are extended through October 4, 2020. Read more.
September 8, 2020
On August 28, 2020, the IRS issued guidance (PDF) implementing the August 8, 2020 Presidential Memorandum allowing employers to defer withholding and payment of the employee portion of FICA (Social Security) taxes for certain employees. The Presidential Memorandum and the IRS guidance are clearly intended to put more money in workers’ pockets -- at least temporarily -- but the program raises important questions for employers. Read more.
September 8, 2020
There’s important news for many individual creatives and the companies that hire them. On September 4th, California expanded the list of professions and employees that are exempt from the so-called “ABC test” – a test governing classification of certain workers. The expansive new law covers many industries, but will have a particularly large impact on the media, entertainment and advertising community. Read more.
September 8, 2020
Here’s an update on how the pandemic is affecting jury trials in Los Angeles federal and state courts. Read more.
September 1, 2020
The pandemic has prompted many of our clients and friends to focus on their estate planning -- finalizing Wills and estate planning documents that had been in progress, or just getting the planning process started with a new sense of urgency. Read more.
August 31, 2020
Here’s what’s happening at the intersection of sports, marketing, and entertainment law as we head into Fall. Read more.
August 27, 2020
Here’s some good news for businesses seeking COVID-19-related “business interruption” coverage from their insurance carriers. Read more.
August 24, 2020
On August 3, 2020, Judge J. Paul Oetken of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York struck down four provisions of the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) regulations (the “Final Rule”) implementing elements of the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (“FFCRA”) (the “Decision”). Read more.
August 18, 2020
You’ve mastered the guidance. You’ve implemented the procedures. You’ve followed all the rules to keep your production safe from COVID-19. But somehow, one of your production team members has tested positive for the virus. What next? Read more.
August 18, 2020
On August 5, Governor Cuomo extended the New York Executive Orders affecting tenants and property owners and on August 12, 2020, New York’s Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks procedurally extended the eviction moratorium. Read more.
August 18, 2020
With so many people currently working from home, the IRS apparently thought it would be an appropriate time to remind U.S. taxpayers about the availability of “home office” deductions and, in particular, whether they can be claimed when filing 2020 tax returns next year. Read more.
August 11, 2020
New York State Executive Order 202.48, issued July 6, 2020, which extended New York’s remote document execution procedures, is set to expire on August 5, 2020. Read more.
August 4, 2020
The Hollywood Reporter mentions Lisa E. Davis as counsel to Kelly Edwards. Ms. Edwards will transition from her executive role to focus solely on writing and producing content for HBO, HBOMax and Turner. View Article
August 3, 2020
On March 20, Governor Cuomo issued a blanket moratorium on foreclosure by lenders of any residential or commercial property until June 20, 2020. This protection was extended to August 20, 2020 for residential or commercial mortgages owned by someone “that is eligible for unemployment insurance or benefits under state or federal law or otherwise facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 24, 2020, New York’s Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks procedurally extended the foreclosure moratorium by forbidding until August 20, 2020: (1) entertaining or deciding any foreclosure cases other than motions to discontinue a pending case and (2) issuing judgments of foreclosure except for vacant and abandoned property. Read more.
July 28, 2020
On July 17, 2020 NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that, with the City entering Phase Four of Reopening on Monday July 20th, 2020, film and television production in the City can restart again in earnest. Read more.
July 21, 2020
By Executive Order 202.48 issued July 6, 2020, New York’s remote document execution procedures are extended through August 5, 2020. Read more.
July 7, 2020
On July 3rd, President Trump signed legislation extending the application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program until August 8th. Read more.
July 7, 2020
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