COVID-19 Updates, Resources, and Attorney Directory

With so much information, so many decisions and so little time to address issues raised by the coronavirus pandemic, you need help at your fingertips. Below are our most recent updates and a directory of Pierce Atwood COVID-19 attorneys who are knowledgeable on the various questions and challenges you may be confronting.

We will continue to add information about specific topics so please check back frequently!

Please contact your principal attorney at Pierce Atwood or one of the attorneys in the directory for immediate assistance.

Recent Updates

All Updates for the Week of April 6, 2020

Maine Modifies Notarization and Acknowledgement Requirements (April 8, 2020)
COVID-19 Federal: SBA Issues Guidance on Paycheck Protection Program UPDATE (April 7, 2020)
Crossing State Lines During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Self-Quarantine Requirements (April 7, 2020)
Massachusetts Passes Local Permitting Relief For COVID-19 Emergency (April 6, 2020)
SBA Clarifies Affiliation Rules for Paycheck Protection Program (April 6, 2020)

Business & Finance

Pierce Atwood Resources

COVID-19 Federal: SBA Issues Guidance on Paycheck Protection Program UPDATE (April 7, 2020)
SBA Clarifies Affiliation Rules for Paycheck Protection Program (April 6, 2020)
COVID-19 Federal: SBA Issues Guidance on Paycheck Protection Program (April 3, 2020)
Guide to Navigating COVID-19 Federal Business Relief Programs (April 2, 2020)
COVID-19: Federal Programs Guide and State Business Assistance Programs (April 2, 2020)
WEBINAR - Understanding the CARES Act: Programs for Employers (April 1, 2020 - recording available)
SBA Issues Guidance and Application Form for Paycheck Protection Program (April 1, 2020)
Quick State by State Reference Tool Regarding Non-Essential Business Restrictions in New England States (last updated March 31, 2020)
Paycheck Protection Program: Is this the solution you have been waiting for? (March 27, 2020)
Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts Financial Regulators Follow Federal Government with Temporary Emergency Relief (March 27, 2020)
CARES Act Passed by U.S. Senate Provides Tax Relief (March 26, 2020)
Proposed Legislation - COVID-19 CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (March 25, 2020)
SBA Loan Program Approved for Small Businesses Nationwide (March 24, 2020)
Fed Proposes “Main Street Business Lending Program” (March 24, 2020)

Additional Resources

Paycheck Protection Program Loans Frequently Asked Questions (April 6, 2020)
State of Maine - Essential Business Operations Definitions (April 3, 2020)
Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA) Summary of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (March 27, 2020)
U.S. Small Business Adminstration Fact Sheet - Economic Injury Disaster Loans (March 16, 2020)

Construction

Pierce Atwood Resources

Massachusetts Issues New Guidance on “Essential” “Construction-Related Activities” — Appears More Narrow (March 31, 2020)
“Essential” and “Safe” Construction Services During COVID-19 Outbreak (March 27, 2020)
Mass Governor’s Legal Office’s Letter to Municipalities: Withdraw Conflicting City/Town Policies Suspending Essential Construction Services (March 25, 2020)
Project Suspended or Payment Delays? Don’t Lose Your Mechanic’s Lien Rights! (March 25, 2020)
Massachusetts Governor Baker’s March 23, 2020 Order re: construction, state and local governments, and real estate transactions (March 25, 2020)
Emergency Rule – Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB) (March 23, 2020)
Rhode Island Issues Work from Home Order “If You Can” (March 23, 2020)
Massachusetts Closes In-Person Non-Essential Businesses Effective March 24 — Construction Designated Essential (March 23, 2020)
Current Guidance on Whether Construction Services Are “Essential” or “Life-Sustaining” Businesses Under Governmental Business Suspensions (March 20, 2020)
Construction Projects Suspended in Cambridge MA Until Further Notice (March 19, 2020)
Signing a Construction Contract in the Middle of the Coronavirus Pandemic . . . Two Contract Clauses to Consider (March 19, 2020)
Steps to Take if You Receive a Subcontractor’s COVID-19 Work Suspension Notice (March 19, 2020)
Contractors: Its Time to Send Your COVID-19 Notice (March 17, 2020)
City of Boston’s Press Release on Suspending Construction in Boston Effective March 17th (March 17, 2020)

Employment & Immigration

Pierce Atwood Resources

Everything Employers Need to Document to Claim Tax Credits for FFCRA Leave (April 3, 2020)
WEBINAR - Understanding the CARES Act: Programs for Employers (April 1, 2020 - recording available)
SBA Issues Guidance and Application Form for Paycheck Protection Program (April 1, 2020)
FFCRA Answers Trickle in From the DOL (March 30, 2020)
Paycheck Protection Program: Is this the solution you have been waiting for? (March 27, 2020)
Proposed Legislation - COVID-19 CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (March 25, 2020)
Chart summarizing leave benefits under federal and state law (last updated March 23, 2020)
Webinar - Federal Emergency Paid Leave and Unemployment Benefits: How does it all work? (March 20, 2020 - recording available)
Emergency Federal and State Legislation Has Immediate Impact on Workplace (March 19, 2020)
Webinar - Beyond Hand Washing: What Employers Should be Doing Now in Response to COVID-19 (March 17, 2020 - recording available)
Beyond Hand Washing: What Employers Should be Doing Now in Response to COVID-19 (March 13, 2020)
I-9s & Other Immigration Considerations During the Coronavirus Pandemic (March 11, 2020)

Additional Resources

Energy

Pierce Atwood Resources

FERC Acts to Provide Relief and Ensure Reliability During Coronavirus Pandemic (April 2, 2020)

Environmental

Pierce Atwood Resources

Environmental Enforcement During the COVID-19 Crisis (March 31, 2020)

Litigation

Pierce Atwood Resources

COVID-19 and Appellate Practice: A Maine Update (April 1, 2020)
Tips for Taking Depositions by Videoconference in the Age of COVID-19 (March 26, 2020)
Short-term Hiccup or Significant Long-term Effect? Material Adverse Effect Clauses and the COVID-19 Pandemic (March 24, 2020)
COVID-19 and Appellate Practice (March 23, 2020)

Real Estate Development

Pierce Atwood Resources

Massachusetts Passes Local Permitting Relief For COVID-19 Emergency (April 6, 2020)
Real Estate Development in the Time of Coronavirus: Massachusetts UPDATE (April 2, 2020)
Real Estate Development in the Time of Coronavirus: Massachusetts UPDATE (March 31, 2020)
Real Estate Development in the Time of Coronavirus: Massachusetts UPDATE (March 27, 2020)
Real Estate Development in the Time of Coronavirus: Massachusetts UPDATE (March 26, 2020)
Massachusetts Governor Baker’s March 23, 2020 Order re: construction, state and local governments, and real estate transactions (March 25, 2020)
Real Estate Development in the Time of Coronavirus: Massachusetts (March 24, 2020)

Tax

Pierce Atwood Resources

State Tax Response Tracker (last updated April 3, 2020)
Guide to Navigating COVID-19 Federal Business Relief Programs (April 2, 2020)
COVID-19: Federal Programs Guide and State Business Assistance Programs (April 2, 2020)
Maine Extends Property Tax Application Deadlines; New Hampshire Offers Some Tax Relief (April 2, 2020)
Maine, Massachusetts & D.C. Now Conforming to July 15, 2020 Filing and Payment Deadline (With Important Limitations) (March 27, 2020)
CARES Act Passed by U.S. Senate Provides Tax Relief (March 26, 2020)
Treasury Department and IRS Extend Federal Income Tax Filing and Payment Deadline (March 25, 2020)

Trusts & Estates

Pierce Atwood Resources

Maine Modifies Notarization and Acknowledgement Requirements (April 8, 2020)
We're (Still) Here For You (March 27, 2020)

State-Specific News

Key Contacts

Subject Matter Contacts

Please click on an attorney name to be directed to their bio which includes full contact information.

Subject Matter	Attorney(s)
COVID-19 Financing Programs and Capital Access
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)	Chris Howard
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)	Chris Howard
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)	Chris Howard Katy Rand Andrea Suter
Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans	Chris Howard
Employment
Communications to employees	Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
ERISA/Employment Benefits	Brooks Magratten
Family Medical Leave	Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Furloughing employees	Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Notification of employees, patients, clients, public of positive test results	Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Paid and unpaid leave for employees	Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Pay during work at home	Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)	Chris Howard Katy Rand Andrea Suter
Payroll tax credits	Jonathan Block Rob Ravenelle
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative dispute resolution in construction/commercial contracts	John Bulman Tom Dunn Jeff Francis Chris Whitney
Strategies for arbitration and mediation without in-person proceedings	Jeff Francis Don Frederico
Benefits/Charities
Benefits fraud	Kathleen Hamann
Due diligence on charities/charitable giving fraud	Kathleen Hamann
Business Litigation
Investor suits, breach of fiduciary duty allegations, and company disclosure obligations; litigation concerning mergers & acquisitions and financing transactions; commercial disputes based on business torts and statutory or contractual obligations	Melanie Conroy Jeff Francis Mark Rosen
Consumer Litigation
Consumer demands under unfair and deceptive trade practices statutes, including for event cancellation and service disruptions	Melanie Conroy Don Frederico
Debt collection and consumer finance litigation, especially with temporary collection suspensions by state governments and debt forgiveness proposals	Melanie Conroy Don Frederico
Evaluating the applicability and enforceability of arbitration and class action waiver provisions	Melanie Conroy Don Frederico
Contracts
Alternative dispute resolution in construction/commercial contracts	John Bulman Tom Dunn Jeff Francis Chris Whitney
Construction contracts; force majeure; supply chains; payment issues - getting paid; mechanic's liens; government job shutdown; delay claims; material escalation	Tom Dunn
Energy contracts; force majeure; offtake agreement; financings; NAESB; ISDA; other major agreements	John Gulliver Randall Rich Ruta Skučas Sarah Tracy
ERISA/Employment Benefits	Brooks Magratten
Excuse of performance including force majeure, frustration of purpose, impracticability and/or impossibility, and responding to notices from counterparties seeking excuse of performance	Keith Cunningham Tom Dunn Kyle Glover Margaret Minister Mark Rosen
False Claims Act; procurement fraud	Kathleen Hamann Jason Moreau
Material adverse change/material adverse effect and related provisions in merger, acquisition, and financing agreements	Keith Cunningham Tom Dunn Mark Rosen
Criminal
Bond and bail for prisons/jails with outbreaks	Kathleen Hamann
Court closures and speedy trial rights	Kathleen Hamann
Fraud (including false claims/procurement)	Kathleen Hamann
Cybersecurity
Evaluating heightened cybersecurity risks and preparing for incident response, including reporting obligations and litigation	Melanie Conroy
Digital Accessibility
Litigation under the ADA and other laws concerning whether ditigal services, goods, and resources are accessible to persons with disabilities	Melanie Conroy
Education
Contract issues	James Erwin Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Duty of care to students and other stakeholders	James Erwin Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Employment issues	James Erwin Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Health services; public health duties	James Erwin Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Impact on educational and physical/mental disability accommodations; impact on Title IX and student conduct investigations	James Erwin Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Insurance issues	James Erwin Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Potential liability arising from campus and residence hall closures; mandatory switch to online/distance modalities; impact on ability to meet accreditation standards	James Erwin Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Status of tuition, room, board, fees	James Erwin Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Travel restrictions; quarantines; study abroad	James Erwin Suzanne King Margaret LePage Katy Rand
Energy/Utilities
Credit	Keith Cunningham
Energy trading and transportation issues	Valerie Green Randall Rich Ruta Skučas
Force majeure; offtake agreement; Financings/NAESB/ISDA/Other Major Agreements	John Gulliver Randall Rich Ruta Skučas Sarah Tracy
Utility customer disruptions; billing	Jim Avery Jared des Rosiers Sarah Tracy
Environmental
Advertising pesticides/germ killing claims	Ken Gray
Environmental compliance and force majeure	Brian Rayback
FTC green guides for product statements	Ken Gray
Public hearings and other proceedings by municipal and administrative boards	Brian Rayback
Food
FDA rules for food safety	Brian Rayback
Immigration
Immigration issues for large employers	Tony Derosby Kate Minervino
IRCA/Form I-9 Compliance	Tony Derosby Kate Minervino
Status protection, compliance, and pending/new processes with USCIS and USDOL	Tony Derosby Kate Minervino
Travel restrictions	Tony Derosby Kathleen Hamann Kate Minervino
US/CAN cross border business travel, port of entry issues and changes in POE operations and procedure	Tony Derosby Kate Minervino
US Embassy consular closures and changes in consular operations	Tony Derosby Kathleen Hamann Kate Minervino
Insurance
Business interruption	Jeff Francis Chris Howard
ERISA/Employment Benefits	Brooks Magratten
Health insurance	Charles Einsiedler Brooks Magratten
Insurance coverage for losses due to coronavirus	Mike Daly Jeff Francis Brooks Magratten Mark Rosen
International
Cross-border issues and quarantine	Kathleen Hamann
Currency transfers	Kathleen Hamann
Trade controls and movement restrictions	Kathleen Hamann
Patent/Trademark
Patent office facilities closed to public	Kevin Farrell Jonathan Gelchinsky
US Patent Office relief available to patent and trademark applicants, patentees and trademark owners affected by the coronavirus outbreak	Kevin Farrell Jonathan Gelchinsky
Privacy
GDPR and transnational movement of health data	Kathleen Hamann
Laws governing the collection, processing, use, and disclosure of sensitive information from employees customers, vendors, and others (including HIPAA, FERPA, ADA, CCPA, and BIPA), guidance from regulators, and enforcement and litigation risks	Melanie Conroy
Quarantine
Unlawful detention and violation of emergency restrictions	Kathleen Hamann
Sales/Pricing
Bid rigging/price fixing/government procurement	Kathleen Hamann
Unfair trade practices/price gouging and market manipulation	Kathleen Hamann
Taxation
Federal and state taxation	Jonathan Block Kris Eimicke Rob Ravenelle
Payroll tax credits	Jonathan Block Rob Ravenelle
Tax filing deadlines	Jonathan Block

Federal & State Contacts

Please click on an attorney name to be directed to their bio which includes full contact information.

Jurisdiction	Attorney(s)
Federal	Kathleen Hamann Chris Howard Randall Rich Ann Robinson
Maine	Chris Howard Margaret LePage Ann Robinson
Massachusetts	Melanie Conroy Andrew Kaplan
New Hampshire	Suzanne King Mark Rosen
Rhode Island	Tom Dunn

Recent Updates

Maine Modifies Notarization and Acknowledgement Requirements (April 8, 2020)

COVID-19 Federal: SBA Issues Guidance on Paycheck Protection Program UPDATE (April 7, 2020)

Crossing State Lines During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Self-Quarantine Requirements (April 7, 2020)

Massachusetts Passes Local Permitting Relief For COVID-19 Emergency (April 6, 2020)

SBA Clarifies Affiliation Rules for Paycheck Protection Program (April 6, 2020)

Pierce Atwood Resources

COVID-19 Federal: SBA Issues Guidance on Paycheck Protection Program UPDATE (April 7, 2020)

SBA Clarifies Affiliation Rules for Paycheck Protection Program (April 6, 2020)

COVID-19 Federal: SBA Issues Guidance on Paycheck Protection Program (April 3, 2020)

Guide to Navigating COVID-19 Federal Business Relief Programs (April 2, 2020)

COVID-19: Federal Programs Guide and State Business Assistance Programs (April 2, 2020)

WEBINAR - Understanding the CARES Act: Programs for Employers (April 1, 2020 - recording available)

SBA Issues Guidance and Application Form for Paycheck Protection Program (April 1, 2020)

Quick State by State Reference Tool Regarding Non-Essential Business Restrictions in New England States (last updated March 31, 2020)

Paycheck Protection Program: Is this the solution you have been waiting for? (March 27, 2020)

Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts Financial Regulators Follow Federal Government with Temporary Emergency Relief (March 27, 2020)

CARES Act Passed by U.S. Senate Provides Tax Relief (March 26, 2020)

Proposed Legislation - COVID-19 CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (March 25, 2020)

SBA Loan Program Approved for Small Businesses Nationwide (March 24, 2020)

Fed Proposes “Main Street Business Lending Program” (March 24, 2020)

Additional Resources

Paycheck Protection Program Loans Frequently Asked Questions (April 6, 2020)

State of Maine - Essential Business Operations Definitions (April 3, 2020)

Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA) Summary of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (March 27, 2020)

Pierce Atwood Resources

Massachusetts Issues New Guidance on “Essential” “Construction-Related Activities” — Appears More Narrow (March 31, 2020)

“Essential” and “Safe” Construction Services During COVID-19 Outbreak (March 27, 2020)

Mass Governor’s Legal Office’s Letter to Municipalities: Withdraw Conflicting City/Town Policies Suspending Essential Construction Services (March 25, 2020)

Project Suspended or Payment Delays? Don’t Lose Your Mechanic’s Lien Rights! (March 25, 2020)

Massachusetts Governor Baker’s March 23, 2020 Order re: construction, state and local governments, and real estate transactions (March 25, 2020)

Emergency Rule – Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB) (March 23, 2020)

Rhode Island Issues Work from Home Order “If You Can” (March 23, 2020)

Massachusetts Closes In-Person Non-Essential Businesses Effective March 24 — Construction Designated Essential (March 23, 2020)

Current Guidance on Whether Construction Services Are “Essential” or “Life-Sustaining” Businesses Under Governmental Business Suspensions (March 20, 2020)

Signing a Construction Contract in the Middle of the Coronavirus Pandemic . . . Two Contract Clauses to Consider (March 19, 2020)

Steps to Take if You Receive a Subcontractor’s COVID-19 Work Suspension Notice (March 19, 2020)

Contractors: Its Time to Send Your COVID-19 Notice (March 17, 2020)

City of Boston’s Press Release on Suspending Construction in Boston Effective March 17th (March 17, 2020)

Pierce Atwood Resources

Everything Employers Need to Document to Claim Tax Credits for FFCRA Leave (April 3, 2020)

WEBINAR - Understanding the CARES Act: Programs for Employers (April 1, 2020 - recording available)

SBA Issues Guidance and Application Form for Paycheck Protection Program (April 1, 2020)

FFCRA Answers Trickle in From the DOL (March 30, 2020)

Paycheck Protection Program: Is this the solution you have been waiting for? (March 27, 2020)

Proposed Legislation - COVID-19 CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (March 25, 2020)

Chart summarizing leave benefits under federal and state law (last updated March 23, 2020)

Webinar - Federal Emergency Paid Leave and Unemployment Benefits: How does it all work? (March 20, 2020 - recording available)

Emergency Federal and State Legislation Has Immediate Impact on Workplace (March 19, 2020)

Webinar - Beyond Hand Washing: What Employers Should be Doing Now in Response to COVID-19 (March 17, 2020 - recording available)

Beyond Hand Washing: What Employers Should be Doing Now in Response to COVID-19 (March 13, 2020)

I-9s & Other Immigration Considerations During the Coronavirus Pandemic (March 11, 2020)

Additional Resources

Paycheck Protection Program Loans Frequently Asked Questions (April 6, 2020)

US DOL Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers

Pierce Atwood Resources

FERC Acts to Provide Relief and Ensure Reliability During Coronavirus Pandemic (April 2, 2020)

Pierce Atwood Resources

Environmental Enforcement During the COVID-19 Crisis (March 31, 2020)

Pierce Atwood Resources

COVID-19 and Appellate Practice: A Maine Update (April 1, 2020)

Tips for Taking Depositions by Videoconference in the Age of COVID-19 (March 26, 2020)

Short-term Hiccup or Significant Long-term Effect? Material Adverse Effect Clauses and the COVID-19 Pandemic (March 24, 2020)

Pierce Atwood Resources

Massachusetts Passes Local Permitting Relief For COVID-19 Emergency (April 6, 2020)

Real Estate Development in the Time of Coronavirus: Massachusetts UPDATE (April 2, 2020)

Real Estate Development in the Time of Coronavirus: Massachusetts UPDATE (March 31, 2020)

Real Estate Development in the Time of Coronavirus: Massachusetts UPDATE (March 27, 2020)

Real Estate Development in the Time of Coronavirus: Massachusetts UPDATE (March 26, 2020)

Massachusetts Governor Baker’s March 23, 2020 Order re: construction, state and local governments, and real estate transactions (March 25, 2020)

Real Estate Development in the Time of Coronavirus: Massachusetts (March 24, 2020)

Pierce Atwood Resources

State Tax Response Tracker (last updated April 3, 2020)

Guide to Navigating COVID-19 Federal Business Relief Programs (April 2, 2020)

COVID-19: Federal Programs Guide and State Business Assistance Programs (April 2, 2020)

Maine Extends Property Tax Application Deadlines; New Hampshire Offers Some Tax Relief (April 2, 2020)

Maine, Massachusetts & D.C. Now Conforming to July 15, 2020 Filing and Payment Deadline (With Important Limitations) (March 27, 2020)

CARES Act Passed by U.S. Senate Provides Tax Relief (March 26, 2020)

Treasury Department and IRS Extend Federal Income Tax Filing and Payment Deadline (March 25, 2020)

Pierce Atwood Resources