Legal Alerts

On April 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released temporary regulations interpreting the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) that requires private employers with 499 or fewer employees, and certain public employers, to provide covered employees emergency paid sick leave (EPSL) and emergency unpaid and paid family leave (FMLA+). Hurwitz & Fine has highlighted some of the key regulations that may be of interest to small businesses.

Ann Evanko and Katherine Wood are highlighted for their employment law victory and Patrick Curran is featured for his nursing home negligence defense verdict.

The attorneys were featured in NYIA's First Quarter 2020 edition of Your NY Connection magazine for their article "Judicial Oversights?"

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.10, suspending and modifying certain healthcare laws in New York State. The aim of this Order is not only to ensure efficient and streamlined care to coronavirus patients, but also to provide some level of protection and reassurance to those front-line workers from malpractice liability that may arise as a result of such care.

The U.S. Small Business Administration issued its Interim Final Rule for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Hurwitz & Fine summarizes a few important takeaways.

Hurwitz & Fine Attorney, and former FDCC President, Dan Kohane discusses the short- and long-term impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the legal industry.

Lawrence M. Ross, Member of Hurwitz & Fine's Health Law, Taxation, and Employee Benefits Counseling practice groups, was featured in the April 1, 2020 edition of Diversity Officer Magazine for his article, "Diverse Candidates: Finding the Right Professional Fit for You."

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a third round of guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) in the form of additional questions and answers about the paid sick leave and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion (EFMLA) provision.

Hurwitz & Fine's summary of New York State developments related to the COVID-19 crisis.

The Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. coverage team offers a critique of both the thinking behind this legislation and the bill itself, section by section.

When uncontrollable events occur that preclude contract performance, force majeure provisions may provide an avenue to limit damages.

This four session program, taught by nationally recognized industry experts, offered the chance to learn and exchange ideas about inclusive leadership skills and strategies to nurture a diverse work environment.

While employers ready themselves to comply with FFCRA, which becomes effective on April 1^st, there are many open questions and issues that will need to be clarified by DOL in the weeks to come. This article summarizes the main takeaways from the DOL guidance.

Dan D. Kohane, Chair of Hurwitz & Fine's Insurance Coverage team, was quoted in a March 24, 2020 New York State Bar Association article on changes in the legal profession post-coronavirus pandemic.

On March 18, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed a bill requiring sick leave for employees in New York State. The law, which took effect immediately upon Governor Cuomo’s signature, guarantees leave to employees who are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation issued by New York State, the Department of Health, the local board of health, or any other authorized governmental entity due to COVID-19.  In addition, Governor Cuomo also issued a series of executive orders designed to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak, including a requirement that all non-essential businesses must reduce their in-person workforce by 100%.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its guidance on the topic to expressly address COVID-19. It covers a host of questions about handling employees who have or may have been exposed to coronavirus.

On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”) which aims to assist employees impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Act takes effect on April 1, 2020.  The Act has two key components—expanding Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) coverage and mandating paid sick leave. 

In response to the spread of COVID-19 in New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that all non-essential businesses must reduce their in-person workforce by 75%.  This latest reduction, which takes effect on Friday March 20, 2020 at 8:00 p.m., is an increase from the 50% reduction of in-person workforce announced by Governor earlier in the week.

During this difficult and unprecedent time, the safety and well-being of our employees, along with the legal and business needs of our clients, are our top priorities.  We remain committed to providing our clients with the highest quality of legal services to meet their needs during this crisis and are available to assist in all ways.

Governor Cuomo mandated today that all employers must immediately reduce their workforce to 50% in the physical workspace.  To be clear, this does not mean that employers must reduce their actual workforce through layoff, rather, the other 50% of an employer’s workforce is permitted to perform work off-premises.