SBA Extends PPP Loan Safe Harbor Date And DOJ Brings First PPP Fraud Charges

First DOJ Government Stimulus Fraud Case
As we noted here back on April 23rd the SBA published new guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) around the certification that the “loan request [is] necessary to support the ongoing operations” of the borrower. Specifically in that guidance, the SBA noted that having access to other sources of sufficient liquidity would prevent a borrower from making
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Johnny Depp helps to provide Guidance on What Defamatory Statements are “Actionable” in Virginia

Johnny Depp actionable defamation claims
John Depp, commonly known as “Johnny Depp,” filed suit against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, claiming defamation based on four statements made in Heard’s op-ed in the Washington Post in December 2018.  The Fairfax County Circuit Court considered his defamation claims and determined which alleged defamatory statements were “actionable” providing valuable guidance.  For more information on
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Coronavirus Impact on Business Contracts – Live Recording 4/1/2020

Coronavirus covid-19 impact on contract obligations
The quarantine and social distancing stemming from the Coronavirus covid-19 pandemic, has an effect on many businesses ability to meet their contractual obligations. In this live recording of attorney Lewis Rhodes talking to business owners on April 2, 2020, he covers the implications to businesses who are unable to meet their contractual obligations due to
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CAN I BE SUED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID 19) – AND AM I COVERED?

Employer lost non-compete case
By Clifton M. Mount, Esquire, Senior Attorney, Litigation Practice, Group General Counsel, P.C. (Main: 703 556-0411) The COVID-19 “coronavirus” situation is complex and unprecedented in its impact on all phases of life and government. Most states have issued a recent rash of executive orders, regulations, health standards and the like in the emergency response to
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General Counsel, P.C. Client Alert – Supreme Court of Virginia Declares Judicial Emergency in Response to COVID-19

Virginia Supreme Court
Effective March 16, 2020, the Supreme Court of Virginia has issued an Order and declared a judicial emergency for all district and circuit courts of the Commonwealth “to protect the health and safety of court employees, litigants, judges, and the general public.”  The Order shall be in effect from March 16, 2020 to April 6,
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Alternative Dispute Resolution: Is it Right for Your Business?

Generally, businesses wish to avoid litigation. Litigation can be very expense and time consuming, and business owners would rather spend their resources running and growing their businesses. Unfortunately, legal disputes are a risk of owning a business and sometimes it is necessary to protect your company or redress a wrong. However, there are methods to
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Eastern District of Virginia Finds in Favor of Employer When Employee Claimed Racial Discrimination and Then Voluntary Resigned

  In a recent case, the Court found there wasn’t sufficient evidence of employment discrimination or hostile work environment, where the employee’s claims were based on a single incident of conduct by a co-worker and the employer took swift corrective action. The Court also offered additional guidance on when a voluntary resignation may be considered
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Court Finds for Employer in Race Discrimination Case

In a recent case, Brown v. Akima, LLC, the federal court for the Eastern District of Virginia found for an employer when an employee filed claims of race discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment. While this case was decided on a particular set of facts, the ruling may offer guidance to other employers. The Facts
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Front Pay, Back Pay and other Damages in Retaliation Case

Arbas v. PhyAmerica Government Services, Inc., U.S. District Court, Eastern Dist. Va, April 2019. The Facts Catherine Arbas was employed as an art therapist by PhyAmerica Government Services, Inc. and contracted to work at the Womak Army Medical Center for the United States Department of the Army. On October 30, 2016, Arbas informed her direct
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Employer Not Required to Make Safety Exemptions for Employee in ADA Case

In a recent case, the federal court for the Western District of Virginia answered the question of whether an employer must exempt an employee from a requirement to wear safety equipment because she has a physical condition that prevents her from wearing the safety equipment. The court ultimately concluded that the Americans with Disabilities Act
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