Law360 Coronavirus: Thu May 14 2020 Briefing
From Media & Entertainment Law360
| TOP NEWS Associates’ Top Fear During COVID-19 Crisis? Job Security Three-quarters of associates at law firms say they are most worried about their job security and pay during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey released Thursday. Coronavirus: How Law Firms Are Handling The Downturn UPDATED May 14, 2020, 11:56 AM EDT | The spreading coronavirus pandemic has upended the legal industry, forcing firms to cut salaries, lay off attorneys and make changes to summer associate programs. Here is a roundup of how law firms are responding. Perkins Coie, Faegre Drinker Slash Salaries Amid Virus Perkins Coie LLP and Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP on Wednesday confirmed they have implemented pay cuts across their firms, joining the growing ranks of BigLaw outfits that have taken cost-cutting measures amid the coronavirus pandemic. 5 More BigLaw Firms Go Virtual For Summer Programs Linklaters LLP, WilmerHale, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, DLA Piper and Perkins Coie LLP confirmed Wednesday that they have decided to make this year’s summer associate programs completely virtual, becoming the latest law firms to modify their offerings as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the legal industry. Law Firm Staff Face Uncertain Future Post-Lockdown As the legal industry scrambles to adjust to the “new normal” caused by COVID-19, the pandemic could spur law firms to rethink their long-term needs when it comes to professional staff, whose roles have transformed dramatically over the past two decades but have so far shouldered the brunt of virus-related layoffs. CLOSINGS AND RESTRICTIONS Coronavirus: The Latest Court Closures And Restrictions UPDATED May 14, 2020, 1:45 PM EDT | As courts across the country take measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, some are restricting access and altering their procedures. Here is a roundup of changes. Coronavirus: The Latest EU Court Closures And Restrictions UPDATED May 14, 2020, 11:06 AM GMT | As courts across the region take measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, some are restricting access and altering their procedures. Here is a roundup of changes. NY Reveals Plan To Reopen 30 Upstate Courts The New York State Unified Court System on Wednesday said it will begin the gradual reopening of in-person operations next week in 30 upstate counties that have met Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s coronavirus safety benchmarks, in a state that has seen 17 judges sickened by the deadly illness. WHAT ATTORNEYS NEED TO KNOW 4 Takeaways From EEOC’s New At-Risk Worker Guidance Recent U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance on what employers should do to accommodate workers who may be vulnerable to COVID-19 raises more questions than it answers for employers already struggling to craft reopening plans that mitigate legal risks. Top Dem Says Uber-Grubhub Deal Is ‘Pandemic Profiteering’ House antitrust leader Rep. David Cicilline has ripped into Uber’s reported plan to pick up food delivery giant Grubhub, bashing both companies as predatory and saying the move “marks a new low in pandemic profiteering.” 4 COVID-19 Response Tips From Ex-State Tax Leaders From accepting signatures and documents electronically to clarifying nexus and domicile issues, former state and local revenue officials would like their onetime employers to address four issues creating uncertainty for taxpayers and their advisers amid the pandemic. Here, Law360 presents four things former state and local revenue officials would like to see tax agencies address during this crisis. Officials Say China Backing Hacks On US Vaccine Research The FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned Wednesday that hackers backed by the Chinese government are aiming to steal American research on vaccines and treatments for the COVID-19 virus, part of a spike in cybersecurity threats during the pandemic. Focus On Crypto As FinCEN Chief Warns Of Financial CrimeThe Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is keeping a close eye on financial crime involving virtual currency as the COVID-19 pandemic opens new avenues for exploitation, agency director Kenneth Blanco said Wednesday, indicating the number of virtual currency-related suspicious activity reports received since 2013 has topped 70,000. Recipients Of PPP Loans Under $2M Won’t Face Review Companies that received less than $2 million in coronavirus relief loans through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program will not face review of their certification that they needed the money, officials said Wednesday in an attempt to reassure smaller employers. Intelsat Launches Ch. 11 With $14.8B Debt Rework Plan Intelsat SA and 34 affiliates sought Chapter 11 protection in the Eastern District of Virginia early Thursday, reporting a $14.8 billion secured debt burden, deep revenue losses to the COVID-19 pandemic and a need to restructure in order take part in an ongoing 5G wireless buildout. State AGs Sue EPA Over COVID-19 Enforcement Policy Nine states’ attorneys general sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday in New York federal court over its new policy curtailing enforcement of clean air and water rules during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it encourages industrial pollution as people with respiratory and cardiovascular problems are getting sick. SEC Targets 2 Cos. Over Misleading COVID-19 Claims The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission took aim at a biotechnology company and a digital marketing outfit that claimed to offer products to combat COVID-19, accusing them of deceiving and defrauding the public in two separate enforcement actions filed Wednesday and Thursday. Lloyd’s Predicts Historic Losses With $4.3B In Virus ClaimsLloyd’s of London said on Thursday that its members will pay out up to $4.3 billion in insurance claims resulting from COVID-19, a total that could increase if the government-ordered lockdown extends into the next quarter. Coping With A Pandemic: DISCO’s Cat Casey As society continues to adapt to COVID-19, Law360 is sharing reactions from around the business and legal community. Today’s perspective comes from Austin-based Catherine Casey, chief innovation officer at e-discovery software provider DISCO. EXPERT ANALYSIS 8 Tips For Retaining An Expert During COVID-19 And Beyond Caroline Crump at Exponent and Natalie Baker Reis at Medical Research Consultants outline some strategies for creating a successful attorney-expert team, including unique considerations for pandemic-related closures and economic uncertainties. 2 Key NY Law Considerations For COVID-19 Contract Disputes When contract performance matters are litigated in the wake of the pandemic, New York courts might need to consult wartime and other disaster-related cases to resolve two crucial questions parties will disagree on, say Seth Kruglak and Victoria Corder at Norton Rose. |
