COVID-19

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On behalf of Mirick O'Connell's attorneys and professionals, our thoughts are with our clients, vendors and friends of the firm during this unique pandemic.

We understand the coronavirus (COVID-19) is placing a burden and hardships on many businesses and families, as we also face the uncertainty of what is to come. We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and will adhere to recommendations from the government, WHO, CDC, and other health organizations

Please know, Mirick O'Connell is taking active measures to protect the well-being of our clients, guests, employees, and community at-large, while also ensuring that we will continue to meet our clients' legal and business needs. Regardless of what preventative measures are implemented, Mirick O'Connell will remain fully available to you. Your calls and emails will be answered, and we remain committed to providing our clients with the same level of responsiveness and excellence to which you have become accustomed. In addition, mail and packages will be held in a secure storage bin that will then be retrieved by our team. However, we highly recommend that you send us any information electronically through a secure portal.

We are in this together. Please reach out and let us know what you are confronted with at this time. We want to make sure we learn as much as possible so that we can be sensitive to your ongoing situation and needs. This information will also assist us in serving you and others who are experiencing the same challenges.

PODCAST: Commercial Leases and COVID

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Robert Kilroy quoted in Part B News article, "CMS' vaccine rules lay out staff deadlines, how to handle hold-outs"

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Amanda Baer quoted in UNLEASH article, "Should employers cut sick pay for the unvaccinated?"

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Medical Economics article, "Dealing with Medical Board Complaints"

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eAlert: Court Lifts Stay on OSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard Regarding COVID-19, OSHA Exercising Discretion in Enforcing ETS Until January 10

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Ted Bassett Quoted in The Boston Globe article, "Accountability remains elusive for veterans who died at Holyoke Soldiers' Home"

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Dave Fine quoted in Construction Dive article, "The Dotted Line: Supply chain woes lead to possible breach, defect claims"

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Healthcare Risk Management article, "Post-COVID Could Bring Surge in Med Mal Cases"

"A focus on or return to the basics of risk management and quality of care will continue to be important" post-COVID.

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e-Alert: Handling Public Comment and Public Records Requests in Light of Critical Race Theory, COVID-19 and Other Contentious Issues

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e-Alert: Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave - Benefits Extended

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Tim Braughler was quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly article "Bar Adjusts as COVID Factors into Divorce Cases"

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e-Alert: Should Employers Consider Surcharges for Unvaccinated Workers?

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e-Alert: What Employers Need to Know about President Biden's "Path Out of the Pandemic" COVID-19 Action Plan

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Amanda Baer was quoted in the ConstructionProNet article "The Dotted Line: How to Navigate Vaccine Mandates"

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PODCAST: Jonathan Sigel discusses the MA Paid Family and Medical Leave

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Amanda Baer was quoted in Ragan's Workplace Wellness Insider article "5 Issues Every Organization Should Consider in Planning Their Return to Work

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Bob Kilroy quoted in Boston Business Journal article, "Covid Surge Puts Wrinkle in Some Employers' Return-to-Office Plans""

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Healthcare Risk Management article, "COVID Glow May Bring Benefits in Malpractice Litigation"

PODCAST: Reid Wakefield discusses Massachusetts Emergency COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave

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Jessica Murphy quoted in the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle article "Judge Mulling Injunction that Would Shut Down The Care Factory"

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e-Alert: Remote Public Meetings Authorized Through April of 2022; New Law Extends Additional COVID-19 Emergency Rules

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e-Alert: Remote Public Meetings Authorized Through April of 2022

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e-Alert: Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave - Updated Guidance and Resources

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Amanda Baer will be on Worcester County Bar Association panel "Maximizing your Remote Stenography and Videography Services now and Post-Pandemic"

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e-Alert: Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave - Employer Guidance

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Reid Wakefield quoted in Forbes article "What the EEOC's Updated Covid Guidelines Mean for Business Leaders"

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Amanda Baer interviewed by Spectrum News 1 "Back to the Office: What Employers and Employees Can Expect with a Return to Work"

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Amanda Baer quoted in Workest by Zenefits article "Can Small Businesses require COVID Vaccines in the Workplace?"

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e-Alert: COVID-19 and Masks: Updated Guidance from OSHA and Massachusetts

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e-Alert: COVID-19 and Masks: Should Employers Continue to Require Masks in the Workplace?

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Brian Casaceli quoted in LegalZoom "Vaccinations, Masks, and Small Business Rights"

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Kim Rozak quoted in Telegram, "Can employers mandate vaccine? Experts discuss strategies to maintain workforce health and safety in the era of COVID-19"

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Amanda Baer was quoted in the Healthline.com article "Why Many Employers Want to Make COVID-19 Vaccines Mandatory,"

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e-Alert: New Gathering and Capacity Restrictions Effective December 26; SJC Upholds Governor's Authority to Issue COVID-19 Orders

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PODCAST: Marc Terry discusses Reopening of Public Schools during COVID-19 Pandemic

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Joe Baldiga quoted in The Wall Street Journal article "Business and Personal Bankruptcy Filings in the U.S. Slowed in August

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Matt Fisher quoted in HuffPost article: COVID-19 Contact-Tracing Scams: 4 Signs that Call, Email or Text is a Fake

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e-Alert: Governor Updates Restrictions on Gatherings and Restaurants

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PODCAST: Paul Medeiros of Easterseals MA discusses how the organization is supporting the community during COVID-19 | Recorded 8.3.20

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e-Alert: Federal Court in New York Strikes Down Parts of the Department of Labor's Regulations Interpreting the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

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Tim Braughler to moderate Boston Bar Association Webinar: Sophisticated Financial Issues in Divorce Matters and the Impact of COVID-19

Ted Bassett quoted, "How effective are liability waivers in the age of the novel coronavirus?," American Bar Association Journal, July 2, 2020

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PODCAST: Nick Anastasopoulos and Jim Croteau of Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Brokerage Inc. discuss How do Businesses Protect Themselves, their Employees and Clients as Businesses Start to Reopen?

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e-Alert: COVID-19: OSHA's Updated Guidance - Face Masks in the Workplace/ United States Supreme Court Issues Historic Decision Protecting LGBT Workers from Employment Discrimination

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e-Alert: New Municipal Relief Act has Important Provisions for School District Service Contracts and Emergency Educator Licensing

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e-Alert: A Trap for the Unwary: A Furlough May Compromise Your Non-Compete Agreement

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e-Alert: Quorum at Town Meeting may be Reduced During State of Emergency

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e-Alert: New PPP Flexibility Act Extends Forgiveness Period and Maturity Date Among other Benefits

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PODCAST: Brian Casaceli is joined by Stephen Graham of CEA to discuss reopening your business or building operations while minimizing the risk of becoming a COVID-19 Hot Spot | Recorded 6.2.20

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e-Alert: Update on COVID-19 Workplace Health and Safety Enforcement by OSHA and the Massachusetts Attorney General

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Webinar: Reopening Massachusetts What Employers Need to Know About Phase 1: Start

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e-Alert: The Next Phase in the COVID-19 Battle for School Districts: Budget Cuts, Furloughs, Layoffs and Collective Bargaining

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PODCAST: Bob Kilroy discusses issues employers may face upon re-entry into the workplace during the COVID-19 Pandemic | Recorded 5.15.20

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E-Alert: Considerations for Employers Resuming On-Site Operations During COVID-19

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e-Alert: Treasury Department issues New Guidance on "Necessity" Certification for PPP Loan Recipients

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PODCAST: Jonathan Sigel discusses re-entry into the workplace after the COVID-19 pandemic

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David Fine quoted in Worcester Business Journal's article "Real estate industry reacting to short- and long-term consequences of pandemic"

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PPP Return Deadline Extended to May 14th

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COVID-19 and Brewers: Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family Medical Leave

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e-Alert: Massachusetts Legislature Passes Remote Notarization Bill / Recommendations to Ensure Workplace Safety in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Non-Healthcare Employers

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PODCAST: Arthur Bergeron talks about alternatives to nursing homes during COVID-19 | Recorded 4.27.20

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Joe Baldiga quoted in Worcester Telegram & Gazette article, "Force to reckon with: 'Force majeure' clause can be safety valve for businesses hit by virus

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PODCAST: Ted Bassett discusses taking care of the elderly during COVID-19 | Recorded 4.25.20

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PODCAST: Rich Van Nostrand discusses Diversity & Inclusion

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PODCAST: Dave Fine discusses "COVID-19: Impact on Construction" | Recorded 4.17.20

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PODCAST: Mike Refolo discusses Navigating your Business During COVID-19

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COVID-19 and Brewers: What's the Difference Between a Layoff and a Furlough?

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PODCAST: Brian Falk discusses local government during the COVID-19 emergency.

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e-Alert: Employee Benefits Tax Relief under the CARES Act

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PODCAST: Nick Anastasopoulos discusses employer-union relations during COVID-19

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e-Alert: COVID-19 Legal Updates: Employment Law | Estate Planning | Business

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PODCAST: Jim Donnelly discusses Nonprofit Volunteer Boards and COVID-19 (4.6.20)

Throughout Jim Donnelly's career he has served on numerous boards and committees for both nonprofit and civic organizations and bar associations.

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Webinar: New Regulations: Families First Coronavirus Response Act

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PODCAST: Marc Terry discusses School Law and COVID-19 (4.3.20)

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e-Alert: Governor Baker Signs New Municipal Relief Bill

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e-Alert: Contractual Obligations during COVID-19: Is Force Majeure the Answer?

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PODCAST: Brian Casaceli discusses EFMLA and FFCRA (4.1.20)

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e-Alert: Payroll Tax Relief; SBA Loans

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Bob Kilroy quoted in Worcester Business Journal article, "Key steps for businesses to survive the coronavirus crisis"

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WEBINAR: Latest DOL Guidance regarding Families First Act

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e-Alert: Extended Closure due to COVID-19 Raises Multiple Issues for Schools

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PODCAST: Grace Roessler discusses Family Law and Divorce during COVID-19

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PODCAST: Matt Fisher discusses COVID-19 Impact on Healthcare Industry

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PODCAST: Amanda Baer talks about the Emergency Sick Leave Act (3.25.20)

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e-Alert: Tax Extension/ DOL Releases Poster of Employee Rights/Impact on Construction Industry

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e-Alert: Governor Baker Recommends Legislation to Address Challenges Caused by School Closures

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Employment Law Webinar Recording Available

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e-Alert: Department of Homeland Security Relaxes Standards for Verifying Work Authorization

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e-Alert: Congress Passes Families First Coronavirus Response Act/ April 15 Reprieve

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e-Alert: Long-term Care and Estate Planning/ Coronavirus Impact on the Workplace/ Construction Industry

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BLOG: The Impact of Coronavirus on the Construction Industry

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e-Alert: Governor Files Bill to Help Delay Town Meeting Season During COVID-19 Emergency

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e-Alert: Executive Order Loosens Open Meeting Law Requirements During Coronavirus Emergency

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Mirick O'Connell Visitor Guidelines as of March 12, 2020

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BLOG: Regulatory Developments: COVID19 Disruption

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Part B News article "When Patient Refuses to Wear a Mask, Stand on Rights or Work to Accommodate"

Don't Delay: MA Employers Are Now Strictly Liable for Three Times the Amount of Wages for Late Payments With No Safe Harbor for Paying in Full Prior to Suit!

04/08/2022[ read full story ]

OSHA's COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) - Temporarily Blocked

11/08/2021[ read full story ]

Handling Public Comment and Public Records Requests in Light of Critical Race Theory, COVID-19 and Other Contentious Issues

10/14/2021[ read full story ]

e-Alert: Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave - Benefits Extended

10/1/2021[ read full story ]

e-Alert: Should Employers Consider Surcharges for Unvaccinated Workers?

9/14/2021[ read full story ]

e-Alert: What Employers Need to Know about President Biden's "Path Out of the Pandemic" COVID-19 Action Plan

9/14/2021[ read full story ]

e-Alert: Remote Public Meetings Authorized Through April of 2022; New Law Extends Additional COVID-19 Emergency Rules

6/18/2021[ read full story ]

Remote Public Meetings Authorized Through April of 2022

6/18/2021[ read full story ]

e-Alert: COVID-19 Funeral Reimbursement Program

5/10/2021[ read full story ]

Juneteenth and the School Year Calendar

5/4/2021[ read full story ]

Employer Tax Credits for Employee Paid Leave Due to COVID-19 Applies to Government Entities

4/29/2021[ read full story ]

COVID-19 Mandates in the Workplace

04/21/2021[ read full story ]

DOL Publishes Model Notices for COBRA Subsidies

4/9/2021[ read full story ]

Extension of 2020 Massachusetts Tax Return Filing and Payment

03/22/2021[ read full story ]

Extension of 2020 Federal Tax Return Filing and Payment

03/19/2021[ read full story ]

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Contains New COBRA Subsidies

03/16/2021

American Rescue Plan and Paid Leave: What Employers Need to Know

03/12/2021[ read full story ]

e-Alert: New Gathering and Capacity Restrictions Effective December 26; SJC Upholds Governor's Authority to Issue COVID-19 Orders

12/23/2020[ read full story ]

Governor Updates Restrictions on Gatherings, Masks, and Business Hours

11/03/2020[ read full story ]

Every HR Professional's Nightmare: Handling Difficult Leave and Accommodation Scenarios under FMLA, PFMLA, ADA and in light of the COVID Pandemic

04/07/2022[ read full story ]

Reid Wakefield to Present "COVID-19 Employment Legal Issues" at the MA Municipal Auditors and Accountants Association Fall Conference

11/04/2021[ read full story ]

WEBINAR: OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard

08/05/2021[ read full story ]

Spring Webinar Series: Workplace Investigations in Today's World

5/21/21[ read full story ]

Spring Webinar Series: Paid Family Medical Leave: Are We Having Fun Yet?

04/29/2021[ read full story ]

Spring Webinar Series: What Employers Need to Know About the American Rescue Act of 2021 and the anticipated MA COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave

04/16/2021[ read full story ]

Spring Webinar Series: Should Employers Mandate Vaccinations and Mandate Remote Workers to Return to Working On Site?

03/31/2021[ read full story ]

Richard Van Nostrand to speak at Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly webinar "Proposed National Ban on Noncompetes: What Employers Need to Know"

2/9/2021[ read full story ]

Combating COVID-19-Related Fraud Starts with Training Employees

12/01/2021[ read full story ]

Survey Finds Bipartisan Opposition to Blanket Immunity for COVID-19 Lawsuits

05/11/2020[ read full story ]

Protecting the Elderly: Coronavirus and Nursing Homes

04/22/2020[ read full story ]

Protecting the Elderly: Coronavirus and Nursing Homes

04/22/2020[ read full story ]
 

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