We are living in a time of uncertainty, change and, hopefully, progress.
As the country continues to manage unprecedented circumstances that impact every stakeholder in the litigation, investigation and compliance arena, Lightfoot is determined to support our clients through the unpredictable challenges we face in 2020.
While anxiety levels are high, we are a firm of trial lawyers. We deal with anxious uncertainty every day, and we strive to be that steady hand in the proverbial storms of life. It’s what we do — and now is no different.
Lightfoot’s structure as a litigation boutique gives us the nimbleness to be “open for business” no matter what. Over the last few months, we maintained our operations and client connections without disruption while working remotely. We now have returned to our office spaces, with our continued commitment to provide the high caliber of service you expect while maintaining a healthy and safe workplace for our attorneys, staff and clients. We will uphold that high standard as we navigate the ongoing repercussions of the pandemic and embark on this “new normal” together.
We are grateful to have the resources and tools to advise and lead in the face of adversity, whether the challenges we face are traditional or the first of their kind. We call this Solution Savvy. Anytime, Anywhere.
On behalf of everyone at Lightfoot, we extend our best wishes and support to you, our clients, partners and friends. Thank you for your continued trust in our firm.
We welcome you to our office. We have established precautionary measures to help maintain the health and safety of Lightfoot guests and employees.
While Lightfoot encourages the use of telephone, video or audio conference for meetings, we recognize that business-critical visitors, such as clients, counsel, approved vendors and deponents, may benefit from an in-person meeting.
Businesses are weighing how best to address the upheaval created by these uncertain times. We are available to discuss and address these changes, the effect on business generally and — more specifically — how best to deal with the contractual and other relationships that are integral to ongoing viability.
Contractors, subcontractors and owners have entered uncharted waters in the COVID-19 environment. They face the possibility that their work may be stopped or interrupted, such that they have no income stream, but their overhead and fixed costs continue. Owners face suspension of their projects and the resulting issues with loan covenants and potential delay claims or liability. Lightfoot is experienced and prepared to help counsel and guide clients through this process, starting with a review and analysis of all contractual agreements, as well as rights and potential risks.
Companies of all types will be dealing with contractual dilemmas, including performance generally, as well as navigating contract-specific provisions such as impossibility, force majeure and business interruption clauses. For those in the energy sector, as example, the price of crude and its impact on operations and take-or-pay provisions will likely present difficult decisions.
Lightfoot is closely monitoring the impact that the COVID-19 crisis is having on providers in Alabama and across the southeastern states. For example, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued emergency legislation for healthcare providers that provides immunity in treating coronavirus patients if acting in good faith. The Alabama Department of Public Health has also released multiple orders affecting various aspects of healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including adjusting the standard of care for healthcare providers during this state of emergency.
When businesses consider the insurance issues that are associated with a pandemic, some are expected but some are less so. We immediately think of health insurance and the access that it provides to medical care should we need it. But many kinds of insurance could come into play in a crisis like this one – for example, business interruption insurance. If clients need help with an insurance question relating to the effect of the virus on business, we are here to help.
The COVID-19 pandemic brings many challenges to employers of all types and sizes. These include FMLA, employee benefits and potential reduction in force issues to name a few. Additionally, the federal government just passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which impacts employers and employee benefits in a multitude of ways. It is critical for all employers to stay abreast of these laws, and it is very likely that Congress will pass additional legislation impacting employers in the near future.
In the corporate investigations and white-collar defense arena, the COVID-19 pandemic will raise a host of untested issues for businesses. A widely dispersed, remote workforce will pose new challenges — legal, technical and ethical — for corporate internal investigations. As the government disburses the largest stimulus package in American history, false claims allegations — civil complaints and criminal charges – will arise. With so much at stake, there will be intense enforcement scrutiny of potential violations of the federal bribery, anti-kickback and honest-services provisions. Similarly, with so many federal dollars flowing through the system and with such urgency that they be applied, there will be both opportunities and danger for companies that contract with the federal government.
An innocent misstatement, ill-executed accounting practice or unethical business partner can open up a range of civil, criminal or administrative penalties for federal contractors – especially in the healthcare arena. One outcome of the coronavirus may be a slew of debarment investigations and criminal pleas for defense contractors. We have the knowledge and experience to help guide clients through these unique times.
