Between these trying economic times and the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses are struggling to keep their bills paid during a time when they may not be able to keep their doors open. The fact of the matter is that a lot of these businesses will be filing for bankruptcy soon, and that will impact everyone… Read More »
Low-Interest Loans to Small and Mid-Sized Businesses
CARES Act – Low-Interest Loans to Small and Mid-Sized Businesses Title IV of the CARES Act provides $500 billion in emergency relief in order to provide liquidity to eligible businesses, States, municipalities and Tribes related to losses incurred as a result of coronavirus. What you need to know: The Treasury is directed to use $454… Read More »
Unemployment Insurance Provisions
How does the CARES Act affect unemployment insurance benefits? The Texas Workforce Commission is still working on an agreement with the federal government for the implementation of the CARES Act assistance, but here are some of the highlights of the CARES Act unemployment insurance provisions: It creates a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program which: provides… Read More »
CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program
Big Picture The Paycheck Protection Program is intended to provide American small businesses with 8 weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100% federally guaranteed loans. There is no cost to apply. The funding is meant to help retain workers, maintain payroll, and cover rent/mortgage/utility expenses. The loan is intended to help small business owners cover expenses… Read More »
CARES Act Eviction Moratorium
CARES Act, Texas, Travis County and City of Austin Temporary Relief from Evictions for Certain Residential Tenants What you need to know: The CARES Act imposes a national 120-day moratorium on evictions against residential tenants who cannot pay their rent due to income interruptions related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Who/What is covered: The moratorium only… Read More »
Business Law Breakdown: Helpful HIPAA Hints
My firm and I do a lot of work for a variety of healthcare organizations. These organizations include hospitals, physician groups, and individual physicians. Every single healthcare professional I’ve ever worked with understands the importance of making sure the patient’s protected health information is kept safe and secure and is not disclosed accidentally to some… Read More »
Emergency Legislation: Families First Coronavirus Response Act
What it is: Emergency FMLA and sick leave legislation designed to protect employees and employers affected by COVID-19. When it takes effect: by April 2, 2020. What you need to know: For many employers, you may be responsible for providing your employees with additional benefits, including paid leave related to COVID-19. The Big Picture On… Read More »
Business Law Breakdown: Force Majeure and Other Defenses for Non-Performance
As you navigate through the current economic downturn and try to make adjustments to your business, the contractual terms of your agreements with suppliers, vendors, and customers become very important. Many contracts contain force majeure clauses which can sometimes be invoked to excuse your performance of a contractual obligation. Even without a force majeure clause,… Read More »
How Will COVID-19 Impact My Business?
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are faced with figuring out how to protect their businesses while minimizing the harm to their employees. The challenges employers are facing include making sure they are complying with applicable health and safety regulations, navigating laws regarding disability discrimination and family medical leave, and ensuring employee privacy… Read More »
Business Law Breakdown: Resolving Disputes – Accord and Satisfaction
In this business law breakdown, Richards Rodriguez & Skeith founding partner Dan Richards discusses resolving disputes, and in particular the legal contract of accord and satisfaction. What is Accord and Satisfaction? Accord and satisfaction is a relatively powerful tool you can use to resolve money disputes. The elements are simple: There’s a claim for… Read More »
Business Law Breakdown: Will Boilerplate Assignment Clauses Wreck the Sale of Your Business?
When business owners are negotiating contracts, they’re rightly concerned with things like how much they are going to get paid, how much they have to pay, who’s responsible for what, and what happens if something goes wrong. At the end of the contracts, however, there are several pages of type called “boilerplate”. Inside those boilerplate… Read More »
When Do You Need A Business Dispute Attorney?
Business owners and operators can face a wide range of legal issues during the lifetime of their business. While many of these issues can be handled through prescribed courses of action set out in your business contracts and other legal documentation, sometimes that’s just not enough. Maybe a contractor or a client isn’t fulfilling their… Read More »
Business Law Breakdown: The Role of Attorney Opinion Letters in M&A Transactions
Business owners are very used to working with their attorney, having their questions answered, and having their lawyer give opinions on legal issues. When a seller is selling their business, however, sometimes a buyer will ask for the seller’s lawyer’s opinion on certain issues related to the sale. It’s About Due Diligence So, what’s all… Read More »
Business Law Breakdown: Services and Deliverables Contracts
If you own a business, it’s highly likely that you’re going to hire someone to do something for you at some point. Maybe you’re a person or a company that provides services and deliverables to others. In either case, you should have a written contract. I would like to talk about some things that… Read More »
What Type of Corporate Loan is Right For Your Business?
Finances are at the heart of any business, whether you’re a B2B service-based business with thousands of employees, or a tiny eCommerce startup operating out of a garage. When you’re looking to make big purchases or expand to a new location, however, you may find that you just don’t have enough capital to do so.… Read More »