PS&H Partner Jim Hahn, a member of the firm’s Business and Banking & Financial Institutions Regulatory Compliance Practice Groups, was featured in the Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly recent article exploring “force majeure” clauses in contracts. Often considered part of a contract’s boilerplate language, the clause’s relevance has become the center of attention as the coronavirus continues to...
We are fielding a lot of inquiries from business owners, large and small, asking if their business interruption coverage will respond to losses caused by COVID-19 shutdowns. This advisory will not provide an in-depth analysis of coverage terms and conditions. Rather, it will provide some unvarnished and practical advice for businesses in need of guidance...
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act [FFCRA – House 6201] was signed into law the night of March 18, 2020 and goes into effect no later than April 2, 2020. The FFCRA is designed to provide paid leave, free testing, protect public health workers and various benefits to children and families under existing nutrition, food...
In our previously published client alerts regarding the coronavirus, we highlighted the importance of reviewing the terms of existing agreements in light of the threats posed by novel coronavirus COVID-19 (“coronavirus”). While businesses may not be able to easily change existing agreements, they should take steps to ensure that they are protected going forward. This...
As businesses contend with the uncertainty caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), evidenced by warnings of an imminent recession and empty grocery store shelves, one potential source of relief is the force majeure clause found in many contracts. Force majeure provisions are included in contracts to excuse a party’s failure to perform due to unforeseeable...
The remedial measures enacted to combat the coronavirus could cause projects to be shutdown. It is vitally important to know your rights in the event of a project shutdown. This client advisory addresses suspension, termination, and extension of time issues and the contract provisions triggered by their use. These topics are addressed below by referencing...
The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, will impact how nonprofit organizations deliver mission-based services for the foreseeable future. Below are some action steps nonprofit executives, leaders and board members can take to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Review obligations in any grant award contracts, whether you are a funder or a...
The current COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses online in order to survive. In many cases, businesses had no plans to be online. Others were forced to move online more quickly than planned. In order to assist these businesses, we are preparing a series of articles discussing some of the more important legal issues to...
Partridge Snow & Hahn partner, John Ottaviani, will speak at a Rhode Island Bar Association sponsored event titled Blockchain, Virtual Currency and Smart Contracts Basics for Lawyers on March 12, 2020. The in person event will be held at the Rhode Island Law Center in Cranston, RI. Blockchain technology is a type of a broader...
PS&H attorneys Drew Colby and Brian Fishman lead a webinar titled Best Practices in Handling Construction Payment Disputes, hosted by Lorman. The intention of the webinar is to provide best practices to avoid and minimize payment disputes. During the course of the program, topics include how to spot toxic projects, protecting your company through key...
