Without a nationwide resolution to the COVID-19 pandemic in immediate sight, remote interviews are likely to become an increasing part of government investigations in the near term.  Previously, remote testimony likely meant only that the investigators and interviewee were in separate locations; counsel had the opportunity to be together with the client for the testimony.  But under the current circumstances, remote testimony requires all parties—including a lawyer and her client—to participate from separate locations. Defense counsel will need to adapt her practice...

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This is an update to our “Summary of CARES Act and FFCRA Tax Credit and Payroll Tax Relief” chart published on May 21, 2020, that summarizes the payroll and tax credit programs under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Subsequent to the publication, the President signed into law the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, and government agencies have continued issuing guidance on program eligibility and...

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The Platform to Business Regulation (2019/1150) (‘P2B Regulation’) addresses the perceived imbalance between online platform providers and traders, as well as between online search engines and corporate websites by promoting fairness and transparency for business users. This new regulation came into effect on 12 July 2020. Platform providers and search engines must now comply with the new P2B Regulation obligations, and traders should check out how the Regulation will benefit them in their dealings with platforms and search engines. Which...

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Q&A with Lisa Rispoli, Trust & Estate Services Leader As you respond to the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your business and finances, your trust and estate plans may be the farthest thing from your mind. Lisa Rispoli, CPA, AEP, TEP, Grassi's Trust & Estate Services Leader, explains why this economic environment may actually be the best time for you to execute gifting strategies to achieve greater tax savings and preserve more wealth for your loved ones. Q. Is...

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On June 25, 2020, the New York Department of Health (NY DOH) and the New York Department of Labor (NY DOL) issued new guidance, titled New York State Department of Health and New York State Department of Labor Guidance on Use of COVID-19 Sick Leave for Health Care Employers (the “Guidance”). The Guidance is intended to supplement earlier guidance the NY DOH and NY DOL issued governing when health care employees are automatically deemed to be subject to a mandatory or precautionary order...

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Millions of workers around the world have shifted from offices to working from home since the COVID-19 outbreak. Here, Joshua Burch, FTI’s Head of Cybersecurity in EMEA, offers timely advice for businesses to help mitigate the increased risk of a cyber breach that comes with that shift. The sudden surge in remote working, while a practical solution to the acute circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, is causing challenges for information security teams. The flood of employees logging in to...

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Paschal Donohoe is celebrating his victory after beating his rival candidates from Spain and Luxembourg to preside over the Eurogroup, a grouping of finance ministers from the eurozone. The three horse race became a two-horse race after Pierre Gramegna, the Luxembourg candidate, withdrew after the first round of votes. In the second and final round of online votes cast in a secret ballot, Donohoe beat Spain’s Calviño. Taking to twitter, Donohoe said his “immediate priority” is to facilitate agreement on the...

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Remote Working can be a Double-Edged Sword of Opportunity, Emissions The COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound impact not just on the way we live, but also on the way we work. Around the world, employees are working from home, fundamentally changing a professional standard of physically reporting to an office location, which has been the norm for decades. This seemingly simple shift can pose a potential threat to our environment, but also provides an opportunity to create an even...

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