Warner Norcross + Judd has been providing COVID‑19 legal developments as they happen (see Warner’s COVID‑19 Resource Center) to keep you informed on the impact to you, your business and your employees. Here’s a recap of the last week’s COVID‑19 legal resources.

5-29-20
Q: Does our business need to take temperature readings and document the answers to the questions identified each day? See the answer here.

5-28-20
Q: Is it still necessary for a business to ask about domestic travel and quarantine employees who travel domestically? See the answer here.

5-27-20
Q: One of our suppliers has fallen short in its deliveries. We have been told that they are having financial problems due to COVID‑19-related issues. We are concerned about the supplier’s ability to meet our needs for inventory. What can we do? What should we do? See the answer here.

5-26-20
Q: I am concerned about the financial condition of our company’s supply base, especially due to the impact of COVID‑19. I don’t have the resources available to review the financial condition of all our suppliers. How do I determine which suppliers are of the highest priority? See the answer here.

5-25-20
Q: I am concerned about one of my suppliers. They supply important raw materials to our company, but lately I have been hearing rumors that they are really struggling financially and their financial condition may have gotten worse due to COVID‑19. The easiest way for me to find out about their financial status is to run a credit report, but can I rely upon that to accurately assess the financial condition of the supplier? See the answer here.

5-23-20
Q: We’d like to apply for a loan under the Main Street Lending Program. What are the loan terms? See the answer here.

5-29-20 Commercial Finance: Small Business Administration Issues Interim Final Rule Related to SBA’s PPP Loan Review Process and Lender Obligations
On Friday, May 22, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Department of Treasury issued a Lender Interim Final Rule (Lender IFR) that explains the SBA’s process for reviewing PPP loans and provides direction on certain PPP lender responsibilities associated with loan forgiveness. The Lender IFR was issued in conjunction with a Borrower Interim Final Rule (Borrower IFR) outlining borrower obligations related to loan forgiveness. Real the full article here.

5-28-20 Intellectual Property: USPTO Issues Third Extension for Certain Filing Deadlines
As we advised in our previous eAlerts titled, “The CARES Act Cares for IP Owners Too,” and “USPTO Again Extends Certain Filing Deadlines,” the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) twice extended certain patent and trademark filing deadlines pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Noting that the previously granted relief expires May 31, 2020, the USPTO issued a third order on May 27, 2020, providing relief to filers. Read the full article here.

5-27-20 Banking/Finance: SBA Issues Interim Final Rule Further Clarifying PPP Loan Forgiveness
On Friday, May 22, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Department of Treasury issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that provides some additional clarity on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness. The IFR comes on the heels of the forgiveness Application that SBA issued several days prior (Application). Read the full article here.

5-28-20 Cybersecurity: Webinar: Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Challenges for Employers Resulting from COVID‑19
Warner attorneys Norbert Kugele, Nathan Steed and Kelly Hollingsworth, along with Dr. Jared DeMott, founder of VDA Labs, presented a webinar on data privacy and cybersecurity challenges for employers resulting from the COVID‑19 pandemic. They addressed issues that arise as employees work remotely and return to work, such as employee privacy and COVID‑19 screenings. In addition, they explored important regulatory and legal concerns and ways to mitigate potential risks as businesses are forced to adjust to operational changes. To view the webinar materials, click here. To listen to the webinar recording, click here.

5-27-20 Business Operations: Webinar: Strategies to Address Financially Distressed Suppliers Resulting from the COVID‑19 Pandemic
Warner partners Gordon Toering and Jonathan Lauderbach presented a webinar on dealing with financially distressed suppliers during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Many businesses paused all operations due to government shutdown orders to keep employees and customers safe. Today, we are seeing the aftereffects of the pandemic and an increase in financial distress for all companies, including suppliers. Your suppliers’ financial problems can quickly become your own, creating supply chain disruptions and additional costs. However, there are legal strategies available to help deal with your company’s financially troubled suppliers. We identified and offered best practices and legal tools to address distressed manufacturers and suppliers. To view the webinar materials, click here. To listen to the webinar recording, click here.

5-26-20 Labor and Employment: Webinar: Requirements for Your Workplace as Michigan Reopens
Warner attorneys Jonathan Kok and Steven Palazzolo presented an update on the requirements for your workplace as Michigan reopens. On May 18, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020‑91, which requires employers to implement specific safeguards to protect workers from COVID‑19. The Order mandates that all Michigan businesses with in‑person work take several steps to safeguard employees. In addition, the Order lays out individualized and detailed obligations for employers in several industries, including construction, manufacturing, laboratory, retail, office and restaurants/bars. We will walk you through these requirements and help ensure that your business is compliant. To view the webinar materials click here. To listen to the webinar recording, click here.

5-27-20 West Michigan law firms punch above their weight
Warner was recognized in the Grand Rapids Business Journal as being a “midsize heavyweight” by BTI Consulting. The list placed one of the midsized law firms that consistently “punch above their weight” when it comes to complex issues and proactive solutions. You can read the article here.  

Please email covid@wnj.com to subscribe to and receive Warner’s COVID-19 eAlert and webinar notices.

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

BLOOMFIELD HILLS | DETROIT | GRAND RAPIDS | HOLLAND
KALAMAZOO | LANSING | MACOMB COUNTY | MIDLAND | MUSKEGON