June 16, 2020 Article

Preti Flaherty COVID-19 Resources

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Preti Flaherty's attorneys have maintained a constant stream of the most up-to-date information and resources for our clients, business partners, and others struggling to navigate these complex and often confusing times. On this page, we make those resources available as a convenient, singular destination to help you stay as current and informed as possible. Please check back regularly, as we will be constantly updating this information.

Business Law

3/26 - Funding Programs For Businesses Impacted By COVID-19

5/11 - COVID-19 and Contractual Non-Performance

Construction Law

6/2 - Owner's Guide to Mitigating COVID-19 Risks in the AIA A201-2017 General Conditions

5/7 - Contractor's Guide to Mitigating COVID-19 Risks in the AIA A201-2017 General Conditions

4/1 - Construction Alert: Gov. Baker Clarifies Massachusetts Construction Requirements and Possible Future Impacts for New Hampshire

3/27 - NH Gov. Sununu Issues Stay-At-Home Order - Construction Considered Essential Industry

Employment Law

4/3 - DOL Provides Guidance on Exemption from Paid Leave for Small Businesses

3/26 - COVID-19 and 401(k) Plans—Ability to Suspend Employer Contributions

3/25 - Update on Families First Coronavirus Response Bill—Payroll Taxes and Tax Credits

3/24 - Return to Work Protocol for Workers Following an Absence Due to COVID-19

3/20 - Families First Coronavirus Response Bill

3/18 - Alert: COVID-19 Update for ME and NH Employers

Environment Law

4/15 - EPA Decisions to Delay Field Work at Environmental Clean Up Sites Due to COVID-19 Will Be Made on a Case-by-Case Basis

3/27 - EPA Announces Temporary Relaxation of Certain Environmental Compliance and Monitoring Obligations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Energy Law

4/6 - FERC responds to COVID-19 pandemic

3/27 - NERC reports US electric sector prepared for pandemic

3/18 - Legal resources regarding coronavirus response

3/12 - Preparing the electric grid for coronavirus

Freedom of Information

4/23 - As More States Release COVID-19 Cases by Town, Maine Says It Could Take 6 Months

4/16 - Maine - Mills Administration Held Secret Meetings on Pandemic with State Lawmakers

3/29 - Maine Cities and Towns Shift to Virtual Meetings to Carry out Public’s Business

3/20 - Maine - Waterville Coronavirus Panel Illegally Met in Secret

Securities Litigation Blog

4/7 - Maine Securities Administrator Warns of COVID-19-Related Fraudulent Investment Schemes

Maine Legislative Alerts

5/14 - Legislative Alert: Lodging Reservations May Begin Immediately for June 1st Stays

5/11 - Legislative Alert: Reopening and Other Updates

4/21 - Legislative Alert: $480 Billion Stimulus Package Passes the U.S. Senate

4/2 - Legislative Alert Essential Business? Essential Activity? Clarification Here.

3/25 - Legislative Alert: State Grants Request for "Essential Business" Status

3/24 - Legislative Alert: Governor Mills' Emergency Order Regarding Essential Businesses and Operations

3/20 - Legislative Alert: State and Federal Resources RE: COVID-19 Response

3/19 - Legislative Alert: Governor's Emergency Bill - LD 2167

3/18 - Legislative Alert: 129th Second Session Adjournment Update

Maine Workers' Compensation

6/16 - Maine Workers' Comp Alert: WCB Transition to In-Person Hearings Likely to Occur No Sooner Than August 2020; Section 312 IME’s Have Resumed

4/14 - Maine Workers' Comp Alert: Areas of Consideration Due to COVID-19

3/30 - Maine Workers' Comp Alert: WCB Announces New Nature and Cause of Injury Codes and FAQ for COVID-19

3/25 - Maine WC Alert: WCB Orders Remote Hearings Unless In-Person Deemed Necessary

3/20 - Update on COVID-19 and Maine Workers' Compensation

Massachusetts Politics Blog

4/29 - Ideal Stimulus Would Lift Economy While Addressing Global Warming

4/11 - Digital Geo-Tracking Might Have Been Silver Bullet Against COVID-19

4/6 - Things Could Be Worse. State's Rainy Day Fund Could Be Puny.

3/19 - Code for Hoarding: 'Unprecedented Volume of Customers' KO's Bottle Bill.

Municipal Law and Finance

5/21 - State Issues COVID-19 Guidance Document for Reopening Public and Community Buildings

4/22 - Municipal Webinar - Workforce Management Strategies and Legal Developments Resulting from the Pandemic

4/21 - Crazy Times, Even in the Municipal Bond Market

4/14 - Maine State Primary Postponed – What to Do About Municipal Meetings and Budgets?

4/3 - Are Stay at Home Orders an Unconstitutional Taking?

3/26 - DOL Publishes Required FFCRA Poster and Guidance

3/18 - Maine Legislature Passes COVID-19 Omnibus Bill re Public Meetings, Finance, and Other Municipal Concerns

3/16 - Municipal COVID-19 Update

Tax Law

4/2 - Preti Flaherty Announces its COVID-19 Financial Relief Evaluation and Selection Tool

3/26 - FAME Maine Seed Tax Credit Program

Firm Highlights

Understanding the Impact of the FTC’s New Noncompete Ban on Your Construction Business

A few weeks ago, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) attracted considerable media coverage when it issued its final rule banning noncompete agreements for workers in most circumstances and making existing noncompetes for the vast...

Compliance for Two—What Employers Need to Know about the Newly Effective Final Regulation for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

On June 18, 2024 the final rule from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) takes effect, clarifying employers' obligations under this landmark legislation. Effective since June 27...

Recent Massachusetts Appeals Court Decision Holds that Construction Defects Are Not Covered by CGL Policy

The recent Massachusetts Appeals Court decision in Lessard v. R.C. Havens & Sons, Inc. (August 2024) offers important clarification for contractors, subcontractors, and insurers regarding the coverage of construction defects under commercial general liability...

Important Updates to American Arbitration Association Construction Industry Rules and Mediation Procedures

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) updated its Construction Industry Rules and Mediation procedures (AAA Rules), effective March 1, 2024, marking the first update since 2015. The updates are important because the AAA Rules are...

Failure to Follow Your Contract's Notice Requirements Can be Costly

In Kinetic Systems, Inc. v. IPS-Integrated Projects Services, LLC et. al., No.: 20-cv-1125 (D.N.H. February 6, 2024), the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire granted summary judgment for a general contractor...

Helping Employers Navigate the New Independent Contractor Rule and Compliance Challenges

On March 11 th , the United States Department of Labor’s (DOL) new Independent Contractor Rule goes into effect. As your organization readies itself for compliance, it’s imperative to scrutinize your independent contractor classifications...

Massachusetts High Court Issues Important Ruling Impacting Prompt Pay Act

Earlier today, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued an order in the matter of Business Interiors Floor Covering Business Trust v. Graycor Construction Co. Inc. This decision presents the high court’s first ruling clarifying...

What Contractors Need to know about Maine’s Prompt Payment Act

Maine’s Prompt Pay Act governs the time in which payments must be made to contractors and subcontractors on public and private construction projects across the state. In this webinar, Preti Flaherty’s John Cronan will...

36 Preti Flaherty Attorneys, including 4 “Ones to Watch” Recognized by National Directory

Thirty-six Preti Flaherty attorneys, including four “Ones to Watch,” have been named to Best Lawyers in America 2025, a highly regarded directory of attorneys and law firms in the United States. The individual attorneys...

10 Preti Attorneys, 6 Practice Groups Honored in National Rankings

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