State Bar/Section Blogs

WisLawNOW is the State Bar's new online community of Wisconsin legal bloggers.

As businesses re-open, some of the questions employers have involve what type of screening they may or should conduct for employees returning to work.

Attorneys at Ruder Ware recently posted a blog article, providing updates on the Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

A federal bankruptcy court in Illinois, in a case of first impression, held that a contract’s force majeure clause was “unambiguously triggered” when the state’s governor issued an executive order closing restaurants because of COVID-19.

Businesses helped by Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans now have more options in utilizing the funds – including an extended time period for spending the loans under the recently-passed Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020.

The new Paycheck Protection Program loans are meant to encourage small businesses to keep their workers employed through the COVID-19 crisis. Here’s some new guidance on loan forgiveness.

Consumers can get free, weekly, credit reports, not just one free report per year, according to this post from Ray Dall’Osto and Chris Hayden of GRGB Law in Milwaukee.

It’s a question attorneys and their landlord clients have been asking, recently. Jennifer Hayden of Petrie + Petrie S.C. in Milwaukee provides an answer in a recent blog post.

Court appearances via Zoom, live U.S. Supreme Court hearings, and improvements in court procedures. Gregg Herman discusses a few of the good things to come out of the coronavirus pandemic.

How do business and organizational managers manage a remote workforce? In this article, Melodie Wiseman – who has managed remote workers for nearly a decade, provides tips.

Policymakers are focusing attention on restarting the U.S. economy. In an article from Aaron McCann, Christine Liu McLaughlin, and Sara Schenck at Godfrey & Kahn S.C., the authors provide a basic roadmap to help employers navigate workplace safety.

Is COVID-19 return-to-work testing of employees lawful? Bryan Symes of Weld Riley S.C. in Eau Claire explores the topic.

This article from Godfrey & Kahn S.C. provides an overview of certain key questions the Small Business Administration (SBA) has answered regarding loan forgiveness, along with a number of unanswered questions that will hopefully address in future guidance.

Questions concerning leave requested under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to care for children? Bryan Symes and Mindy Dale of Weld Riley S.C. in Eau Claire provide some answers.

Jennifer Hayden of Petrie + Pettit S.C. in Milwaukee answers questions concerning the eviction moratorium under the CARES Act.

Due to the circumstances caused by COVID-19, many experts fear that child abuse will increase. In the State Bar of Wisconsin Children & the Law Section Blog, Abigail Hean discusses the issue.

In his recent blog post, “Eligibility for PUA Benefits,” Wisconsin unemployment attorney Victor Forberger notes that the DWD will begin accepting PUA claims the week of April 21.

In this article, Elizabeth Miles and Anne O'Meara of Davis & Kuelthau S.C. provide best practices for protecting the attorney-client privilege when working remotely.

The State Bar hosted a free virtual town hall meeting April 9 to address financial relief for law firms. Find out more about the loans available via the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Christopher Strohbehn of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin and Brown LLP explains what should a business owner consider if they are not able to operate their business in their leased space.

With a virtual shutdown in Wisconsin courts due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), people are left to wonder what this will mean in their pending family law cases.

Danielle Johnson of Neider & Boucher S.C. answers question about financial relief for businesses (that includes law firms) and other bunisness issues in a recent power point.

Writing for the State Bar of Wisconsin Public Interest Law Blog, Liz Groeschel discusses details of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that impact federal student loan borrowers.

In law practice, there are two distinct uses of videoconferencing: one involves court appearances, and the other involves conferences with clients and colleagues. These two distinct uses of videoconferencing require different ethical considerations.

What’s the difference between a layoff, a furlough, or a termination? Neider & Boucher S.C. has developed a chart with a quick comparison, as well as what it means for employers navigating employment legal issues during the pandemic.

The State Bar of Wisconsin Real Property, Probate and Trust (RPPT) Section has developed a list of execution requirements for estate planning and other documents to be valid in Wisconsin, a quick guide for lawyers to access.

In his article, Shawn Govern of Dewitt LLP gives quick tips on eligibility for CARES Act business loan programs and provides links.

In her article, Erica Reib at O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing S.C. notes that temporary rules on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act clarify additional matters.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has extended an order impacting appellate court operations and deadlines for appellate cases in Wisconsin.

What are the evolving issues for health care providers around the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) and the spread of COVID-19? Katherine A. Kuchan, et. al., discuss the issues and offer practical takeaways on COVID-19 and EMTALA.

In his article, Jeremy Klang of Schober, Schober & Mitchell S.C. summarizes the basic points a small business loan program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

In this article, Terri Boxer and Thomas Moniz of von Briesen & Roper S.C. explain retirement tax planning considerations in light of the CARES Act.

David McCormack of Axley Brynelson discusses new guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency adding landscapers to the list of essential workers.

Victor Forberger provides a summary of the unemployment provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

Jenn Bizzotto’s FAQ on unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic may help you find answers to your clients’ unemployment questions.

Patrick J. Maxwell and Melissa McCord discuss considerations for small businesses looking into the loans that are part of the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

In her recent article, Kristen Nelson of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP discusses how out-of-state licensed health care providers can now provide services in Wisconsin.

Are you facing incredibly difficult staffing decisions because of the coronavirus pandemic? Scott Paler shares some early lessons learned thus far in human resources during this coronavirus crisis.

What are the business tax benefits of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)? Attorneys with von Briesen & Roper discuss some of the details in the Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020.

The present circumstances with coronavirus has temporarily put defense attorneys and clients in an unprecedented situation of needing to conduct all hearings via telephone or video. Check out this discussion of the issues surrounding video court from MikeTobin, retired deputy state public defender.

While virtually every business contract has an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, now is the time to review your contracts’ force majeure clauses. Find out more about the issues and what to look for.

The Department of Labor will observe a temporary period of non-enforcement of the FFCRA until April 17, 2020, to allow employers to come into compliance with the new law.

Businesses concerned about meeting their contractual obligations due to the coronavirus should review their contracts to determine their options, write Greg Lyons and Margarita Castaneda.

Lynn Lodahl of Hawks Quindel S.C. notes that many divorced and separated parents in Wisconsin are wondering how this affects their custody and placement orders.

The State Bar’s new Coronavirus & the Law elist provides an open forum for members to discuss the evolving issues related to coronavirus and COVID-19 and its impact on the practice of law in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Learn how to join.

Robert Proctor and Gregory Collins of Axley Brynelson LLP explain the exceptions to Wisconsin's Safer at Home order, including an exception for essential business and operations and essential infrastructure.

Russell Karnes of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP discusses how Wisconsin's "Safe at Home" order, as well as court orders, impact landlords and tenants, noting the halt of eviction proceedings.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development issued a scope statement for an emergency rule that will temporarily relax unemployment insurance benefit eligibility requirements for claimants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attorneys can obtain up to 30 CLE credits "on-demand" under a temporary order, providing more stay-at-home options amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is expected to be one of the first of several coronavirus-related pieces of legislation to address the virus’s public health and economic impacts. Learn more about its provisions.

In this article, Melodie Wiseman provides practical tips for lawyers who are now working from home, including setting clear intentions, avoiding distractions, and staying connected.

Do you or your business clients have questions on the recent developments with the coronavirus pandemic? Find a summary of updates from the attorneys at Kramer, Elkins & Watt, LLC, Madison.

Confused about filing for unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic? Victor Forberger reviews the process step by step.

The blog for Wisconsin State Public Defenders, On Point, is hosting a growing list of resources to assist Wisconsin’s defense lawyers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bridget M. Hubing of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. discusses the risks associated with remote online notarizations and the alternatives.

An emergency rule now allows documents to be notarized remotely online but it does not apply to estate planning and other types of documents, such as wills and trusts.

Now is the time to plan – and act – for what will come at the end of the coronavirus outbreak. With project delays inevitable in the era of COVID-19, James Dash offers advice on what you can do now to avoid future lawsuits and to advance your business interests

During this time of pandemic, businesses should five steps to better their position with regard to their existing insurance policies.

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has forced lawyers into the unusual territory of either working remotely in their homes. Here are some basic tips you can use to protect your clients and your firm while working remotely.

In this time of the coronavirus and COVID-19, clients are looking to attorneys for guidance on preparing and responding to this emergency. Nilesh Patel provides tips and guidance for attorneys to discuss with their clients.

Effective April 2, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) imposes some significant new obligations on employers with fewer than 500 employees. What follows is a detailed description of the employer-leave obligations that will be required by the FFCRA.

With just about every lawyer in the country is going to be working from home for the foreseeable future, Stacie Rosenzweig gives her thoughts on complying with the Rules of Professional Conduct while dealing with all the issues of a pandemic.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is creating a program to provide grants to targeted Wisconsin businesses. This $5 million grant program will assist “smallest of the small” businesses around state.

What do you tell your clients about handling business in the age of social distancing? Jeffrey Glazer discusses the basics of social distancing for his clients in breweries, wineries, and distilleries.

Gov. Tony Evers on March 18 issued Emergency Order #7, Order to the Department of Workforce Development Regarding Unemployment Insurance. Find out more about it in the Wisconsin Unemployment Law blog.

The State Bar of Wisconsin’s new Coronavirus & the Law Blog is a repository of articles from attorneys that address the legal impact of the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the practice of law in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Visit often – the page will be updated frequently.