With the city, state and national authorities taking steps to contain and mitigate the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) epidemic, your business will likely face numerous legal issues over the coming weeks and months. Bell Nunnally is well-situated and prepared to continue operations seamlessly for our clients during this time. We are taking all necessary precautions to protect the health and well-being of our team, clients and the community. We are closely monitoring the CDC, WHO, and federal, state, and local authorities as we make daily operational decisions.
As this situation unfolds, the Bell Nunnally team is here to provide resources and knowledge to help you deal with issues you may already be facing and others you may in the near future. Our hope is that we can provide resources that will minimize the uncertainty of these times. This page is a collection of the firm's client alerts regarding the unfolding COVID-19 epidemic. We will update this page regularly as new issues arise, so please check back often.
A Message From Bell Nunnally's Managing Partner Chris Trowbridge
General Guidance
- COVID-19 Liability Protection Legislation for Businesses Designated as an "Emergency Item" for Passage This Year, March 5, 2021 (Heath Cheek, Katie Beaird, Brent Hockaday)
- Texas is Open for Business: Unmasking Executive Order GA-34, March 3, 2021 (Heath Cheek, Dominic Cruciani)
- Keeping Businesses Afloat: An Overview of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, January 25, 2021 (Saba Syed, Dominic Cruciani)
- When Can We Open? Frequently Asked Questions on Federal and Texas Guidelines to Restart the Economy, May 7 (Heath Cheek)
- Overview of the CARES Act and Resources Available for Businesses, March 26 (Jennice Lee)
Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring
Commercial Finance
- PPP Round 2: Changes to the Program, Expanded Coverage, and Who Is Covered, January 25, 2021 (T.J. Hales)
- PPP Loan Forgiveness Application is Now Available, May 15 (Trey DeLoach, Nikki Gibson, Ed McQueen, Ira Perez)
- SBA Issues New Guidance on PPP Loans, with Safe Harbors for Certain Borrower Certifications Regarding Loan Necessity, May 14 (Jean Boyea, Nikki Gibson, Ira Perez)
- Congress Approves Additional Funding for Small Businesses; Treasury Issues Guidance Clarifying PPP Loan Eligibility, April 24 (Trey DeLoach, Nikki Gibson, Ed McQueen, Ira Perez)
- PPP Loans: A Cheat Sheet, April 9 (Trey DeLoach, Nikki Gibson, Ed McQueen, Ira Perez)
- Business Size Requirements and Affiliation Rules for SBA Loan Eligibility under the CARES Act, April 3 (Ira Perez)
- Relief for Small Businesses under the $2 Trillion CARES Act, March 26 (Trey DeLoach, Nikki Gibson, Ed McQueen, Ira Perez)
- COVID-19 Expected to Launch Wave of Loan Workouts and Refinances, March 18 (Trey DeLoach, Nikki Gibson, Ed McQueen)
Construction - Litigation
Creditors' Rights
Entertainment, Advertising and New Media
Health Care
Immigration
Insurance - Litigation
Intellectual Property
Labor, Employment and Benefits
- OSHA Issues Emergency COVID-19 Standards for Health Care Industry, July 16, 2021 (Jay Wallace)
- As Texas Opens for Businesses, Are Businesses Free To Operate As They Wish?, March 29, 2021 (Jay Wallace, Brent Hockaday)
- COVID-19 FAQ: Can Employers Require a Vaccine?, February 10, 2021 (Jay Wallace)
- Technology, the Workplace and Covid-19: Tracking Employees to Safeguard Against Spread of Virus, August 4 (Jay Wallace, Tom Case)
- Navigating Employment Laws as America Returns to Work, May 8 (Alana Ackels, Jay Wallace, Tom Case)
- New Guidance for Reopening Offices in Texas May 18, May 6
- Mitigating the Risks from COVID-19 as America Returns to Work, April 29 (Jay Wallace, Alana Ackels, Sydnie Shimkus)
- Small Businesses May Qualify for Exemption from Paid Sick Leave Requirement, April 16 (Katie Beaird)
- Understanding the CARES Act: Employee Retention Credit, April 16 (Katie Beaird)
- Enhanced Unemployment Benefits Available Under CARES Act, April 2 (Alana Ackels, Sydnie Shimkus)
- Unemployment and Layoffs During the COVID-19 Pandemic, March 23 (Alana Ackels)
- COVID-19 Update for Employers, March 23 (Jay Wallace, Alana Ackels)
- What the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Means to Your Business, March 19 (Brent Hockaday)
- Concerns Regarding Layoffs Due to COVID-19, March 18 (Jay Wallace, Tom Case)
Litigation
- The Effect of COVID-19 on Existing Litigation, May 20 (Heath Cheek, Saba Syed, Brent Turman)
- Emerging COVID-Specific Business Interruption Litigation Issues in Texas, May 8 (Brent Turman, Ross Williams)
- Precautionary Measure Against COVID-19 Exposure Claims: Waiver of Liability, May 5 (Ross Williams, Jennice Lee)
- Completing Service of Process and Establishing Proof of Delivery in Light of COVID-19 Social Distancing Orders, April 3 (Randall Lindley, T.J. Hales)
- Force Majeure – The Biggest Buzz Term of Litigation in a COVID-19 World, March 30 (Craig Warner)
- Effective Mediation During COVID-19, March 25 (Perrin Fourmy, Dominic Cruciani)
- Planning for the Incoming Wave of COVID-19 Litigation, March 18 (Tammy Wood)
Mergers and Acquisitions
Real Estate
Tax
White Collar and Regulatory Defense
Events
- The Paycheck Protection Program and Civil Enforcement: The False Claims Act, SBA Compliance and the SEC, June 15, 2021 (Craig Warner)
- Voting in Texas During the Pandemic and Beyond, April 27, 2021 (Saba Syed)
- Employer COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for 2021, April 27, 2021 (Alana Ackels, Mark Shoffner)
- Labor & Employment Conversations, January 28, 2021 (Alana Ackels, Ben Riemer)
- The Lasting Legal Impact of COVID: An Overview, December 17 (David Webster)
- Spotting the Red Flags: How to Protect Your Company from PPP Fraud Prosecution, December 11 (Jeff Ansley, Saba Syed)
- COVID-19 Impact on Cannabis: Industry Insights and Expectations, August 5 (Karen Hart)
- Legal Issues Impacting the Live Event and Entertainment Industries in the Wake of COVID-19, June 25 (Saba Syed, Brent Turman, Ira Perez)
- Legal Issues Impacting the Live Event and Entertainment Industries in the Wake of COVID-19, May 21 (Saba Syed, Brent Turman, Ira Perez)
- Legal Issues Impacting the Live Event and Entertainment Industries in the Wake of COVID-19, April 16 (Saba Syed, Brent Turman, Ira Perez)
- Preparing Leaders in Real Estate-How to Manage the Effects of COVID-19, April 15 (Karen Hart)
- Employment Law Webinar - Pandemic Style, April 14 (Alana Ackels, Mark Shoffner)
- COVID-19 - Impact on Oklahoma and Arkansas, April 8 (Karen Hart)
- Texas Mechanic's and Materialman's Liens in the COVID-19 World, April 7 (Randall Lindley)
- Panel on COVID-19 Impact on Legalink Law Firms, April 3 (Christopher Trowbridge)
- COVID-19: Force Majeure, Impossibility and Frustration of Purpose, April 1 (Karen Hart)
- Karen Hart Moderates COVID-19, Force Majeure Panel for ABA, March 31 (Karen Hart)
- COVID-19 Impact on Texas: Know Your Legal Rights, March 27 (Karen Hart, Randall Lindley)
- COVID-19 Business Legal Alert: Navigating the New Normal, March 26 (Karen Hart, Gwen Walraven)
- COVID-19 - Legal Update for Credit Professionals, March 25 (Karen Hart)
Related Media Coverage
- Bell Nunnally Partner Alana Ackels Quoted in SHRM Article Looking at Issues for Employers as Country Reopens, Starts to Demask, Society for Human Resources Management, June 4, 2021.
- Bell Nunnally's Heath Cheek, Brent Hockaday and Katie Beaird on Texas Lawyer Look at Texas' Pending Liability Shield Legislation, Texas Lawyer, May 24, 2021
- Bell Nunnally Managing Partner Chris Trowbridge in Texas Lawyer Firm Leader Q+A Talks 2020's Perseverance and 2021's Promise, Texas Lawyer, May 11, 2021
- Bell Nunnally's Heath Cheek and Dominic Cruciani Explore on D CEO Healthcare Texas' Reopening, Mask Mandate Ending and Return-to-Work Issues for Employers, D CEO, April 7, 2021
- Bell Nunnally's Saba Syed and Dominic Cruciani on Texas Lawyer Break Down American Rescue Plan, Impact in Texas, Texas Lawyer, April 6, 2021
- Bell Nunnally's Jeff Cash Breaks Down M&A Challenges, Opportunities During a Pandemic, The Texas Lawbook, January 26, 2021
- Bell Nunnally Managing Partner Chris Trowbridge Featured in D CEO Magazine Piece on Lessons from 2020, D CEO, January 13, 2021
- Brent Turman and T.J. Hales Explore on D Magazine Biometrics Expansion During COVID-19 and Regulations in Texas, D Magazine, December 18
- Russell Mills on Subchapter V Bankruptcies in NACM Newsletter, National Association of Corporate Management eNews, December 17
- Bell Nunnally's Brent Turman Quoted on Dallas Morning News Regarding Movie Theater Reopening Challenges, Dallas Morning News, December 2
- Litigator and Entertainment Attorney Brent Turman Quoted on CNBC Regarding Movie Theater Reopen Struggles, CNBC, October 6
- Bell Nunnally on Accounting Today Looks at PPP Loan Scrutiny, Compares to Mortgage Crisis "Liar's Loans," Accounting Today, September 16
- Parker Burns Featured on NPR Regarding Pro Bono Representation of Tenant Infected by COVID-19 Now Facing Eviction, Loss of Extra Unemployment Benefits, NPR, July 29
- Jeff Ansley, Arianna Goodman and Katherine Devlin on D Magazine Look at COVID-19 Health Care Regulatory Waivers Nationally and in Texas, D Magazine, July 21
- Ross Williams Quoted in Dallas Morning News Regarding COVID-19 Liability in the Workplace, Dallas Morning News, July 17
- Ross Williams Comments on Houston's FOX 26 COVID-19 Liability Waivers, Houston's Fox 26, June 23
- Kris Hill Looks at Non-Competes in the Age of COVID-19, Bloomberg Law, June 22
- Partner Jeffrey Tinker in Real Estate Business Discuses Music Licensing Legal Issues for Commercial RE Common Spaces, Real Estate Business, June 8
- Managing Partner Chris Trowbridge on The Texas Lawbook Comments on Firm's Growth, State of Legal Market, The Texas Lawbook, May 26
- Partner Russell Mills Comments to Dallas Business Journal on J.C. Penney Bankruptcy, Future Prospects, Dallas Business Journal, May 21
- Jared Hays Quoted on Legaltech News Regarding Potential Risks of COVID-19 Spurred "No-Entry" Policies at Data Centers, Legaltech News, May 18
- CNBC Interviews Partner Russell W. Mills On Possible J.C. Penney Bankruptcy Filing, CNBC, May 15
- Bell Nunnally, Managing Partner Chris Trowbridge Profiled in Mid-Market Report Q+A, Mid-Market Report, May 14
- Randall Lindley and T.J. Hales in NACM's Business Credit Discuss Service of Process and Proof of Delivery Issues in the Social Distancing Era, National Association of Credit Management, May 11
- Alana Ackels on Texas Lawyer Looks at "Layoffs and Unemployment Basics" During COVID-19, Texas Lawyer, April 21
- Partner Jean Boyea Quoted on Dallas Business Journal Article Looking at Deadline Relief for 1031 Exchange Buyers, Dallas Business Journal, April 21
- Randall Lindley, Gwen Walraven and T.J. Hales in NACM eNews Consider "Preparing for a Slowdown in Accounts Receivable Collection Due to COVID-19," National Association of Credit Management, April 16
- Trey DeLoach, Nikki Gibson, Ed McQueen and Ira Perez on Dallas Business Journal Break Down the CARES Act for Small Businesses, Dallas Business Journal, April 15
- Russell Mills on the Dallas Business Journal Explores how the SBRA Makes the Bankruptcy Process Easier for Small Businesses, Dallas Business Journal, April 10
- Ross Williams and Mason Jones on Dallas Business Journal Look at Business Interruption Insurance During COVID-19, Dallas Business Journal, April 8
- Alana Ackels, Mark Shoffner and Mason Jones on Texas Lawbook Offer a COVID-19 Update for Employers, Texas Lawbook, April 7
- Partner Ross Williams Quoted in Washington Post on Business Interruption Insurance and COVID-19, Washington Post, April 2
- Partner Russell Mills Describes Importance of Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 in Light of COVID-19, National Association of Credit Management, April 1
