As many business owners are well aware, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) rules and guidelines regarding loan forgiveness are complex and carry a high compliance burden. In order to obtain PPP loan forgiveness, borrowers are required to complete a rather complicated forgiveness application that is then reviewed by the borrower’s lender. In response to  comments […]

More than two months have passed since Governor Tom Wolf declared the closing of non-life-sustaining businesses. During these months of closure and stay-at-home, Governor Wolf introduced a phased reopening plan for Pennsylvania in which a three-phase approach (Red, Yellow and Green Phases) is used to determine when counties and/or regions are ready to begin opening […]

Following significant backlash from business owners, members of Congress, accountants, academics and others, yesterday, Congress passed H.R. 7010, otherwise known as the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, and is expected to be signed into law by the President, today, June 4, 2020.  H.R. 7010 is a bill that modifies the CARES Act in […]

On May 21, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued an Order declaring that the previously established judicial emergency in Pennsylvania will cease after June 1, 2020. However, the Court also ordered that previously entered judicial orders in the intermediate appellate courts and local courts shall remain in full force and effect until they expire by […]

On March 25, 2020, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The CARES Act offers critical economic stimuli to individuals, businesses and healthcare institutions as a result of the extreme financial strains caused by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. On March 27, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives […]

As the COVID-19 restrictions begin to relax and employees are permitted to return to the workplace, employers will likely have questions regarding the logistics for that return. The return to the workplace is not without complication. Some employees will be more than ready to return, while others will have many concerns about returning. The first […]

(Updated May 14, 2020) On May 13, 2020, the Treasury Department updated its Frequently Asked Question list to provide guidance regarding the much talked about “good-faith certification” that each borrower must make on its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) application.  Specifically, in order to obtain PPP funds, the borrower must certify that “Current economic uncertainty makes […]

On Monday, May 4 at 11 am, FLB Employment Law & Labor Relations attorneys Jacob M. Sitman and Stephanie A. Koenig will be presenting “Back to Business: Employment Law Considerations Now and After the ‘Great Cessation’”, in conjunction with The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. Topics will include: Reviewing Return to Work Policies Rehiring […]

Today, April 24, 2020, President Trump signed into law an amendment to the CARES Act relating to additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Emergency Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) grants, and other disaster loans.  Specifically, the amendment provides for an extra $310B in funding for PPP and $10B for EIDL grants.  Additionally, $50B in […]

Later this week and possibly as soon as Thursday, April 23, 2020, it is anticipated that Congress will approve an additional $310B in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding and allocate an additional $10B for Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) after the initial round of funding for both programs quickly dissolved. As with the first wave […]