9 Williams Kastner Attorneys Named to 2020 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists
Williams Kastner is pleased to announce that 9 attorneys have been named to Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for 2020. Receiving recognition are: Super Lawyers Seattle Daniel A. Brown, Member Jessie L. Harris, Managing Director Douglas A. Hofmann, Member Rodney L. Umberger, Member Sheryl J. Willert, Member Douglas J. Green, Of Counsel Portland S. Ward...
Juneteenth: Freedom Day
Williams Kastner will close its offices on June 19th in celebration and remembrance of, “Juneteenth.” On June 19, 1865, about two months after the Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Va., Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African-Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended....
EEOC SAYS, “ANTIBODY TESTING NOT PERMITTED”
On June 17, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated the “Disability-Related Inquiries and Medical Exams” portion of its COVID related guidance, What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws, to make clear that employers cannot require employees to undergo antibody testing before returning to the...
Together We Stand: Black Lives Matter Silent March
Williams Kastner continues to stand in support and unity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Consistent with our commitment to diversity and racial equality, we will be closing our Seattle and Portland offices today at 12 p.m. in support of the Black Lives Matter Silent March planned on Capitol Hill in Seattle on June 12th...
EEOC COMMISSION ISSUES UPDATE TO COVID-19 TECHNICAL GUIDANCE
On June 11, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its technical guidance, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.” The Guidance is designed help employers navigate the unique employment issues raised by COVID-19. Below is a summary of the updated guidance: No Required Accommodation...
New PPP Legislation —Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (H.R. 7010)
In the midst of national and global turmoil, President Trump signed into law new legislation on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The new law makes significant changes to the original provisions of the law. Employee Compensation and Business Expenses: Originally, any employer who obtained a PPP loan was required to use 75% of the funds...
Together We Stand
Many of us have undoubtedly been impacted by the tragic and senseless killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and also from the ensuing demonstrations over the past week that have captured the conscience of our nation. As members of the greater Seattle, Portland and Northwest communities as well as the legal community, we...
Employee Retention Tax Credits in the Age of Coronavirus
On Sunday, May 17, in a previous client update note on the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan forgiveness, we informed you that the Department of Treasury (USDT) had provided an alternative time frame for consideration of what would be forgiven. That change permitted both paid and incurred eligible expenses as part of what could be...
More News on the PPP Loan Forgiveness
On Sunday, May 17, we issued an update on PPP loans which discussed the change in time frame which would be considered for loan forgiveness. At the same time that this new guidance was issued, the United States Department of the Treasury (USDT) issued additional guidance which clarifies under what circumstances loan forgiveness can be...
Governor Inslee Walks Back Contact Tracing Requirement for Restaurants
On May 15, 2020, within days of announcing a requirement that all restaurants would be required to obtain and maintain contact tracing information for patrons, Governor Inslee quickly withdrew this mandate after widespread concerns that such a requirement would violate patron’s privacy rights. Now, the Governor has indicated that it is only a recommendation that...
SBA Releases New Rules on How to Apply PPP Proceeds in Order to Get Forgiveness
On Friday, May 15, the Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, issued new guidelines on how employers who have received PPP loan proceeds can apply those loans and still be in compliance with the regulations that will be used to assess whether an employer has met the requirements to receive loan...
PPP Loans: Saved Before the Bell
On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, the Treasury Department, after consultation with the Small Business Administration, issued new guidance regarding good faith certifications for businesses that received Paycheck Protection Loan (PPP) funds. After issuance of multiple statements starting in April, 2020 regarding the impact of accepting PPP funds if a business had access to other sources...