(Webinar) COVID-19’s Impact on Employment and Tax Issues for the Solo Practitioner and Small Law Firm Owner

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

• Description
• Agenda
• CLE Credit
• Sponsors

• The webinar will instruct legal practitioners and their clients on the status of tax and employment law matters, as they relate to the COVID-19 crisis. Speakers will discuss the latest tax laws and tax relief in response to the near economic shutdown that the pandemic has created. New employment law issues are emerging as a result of the interplay of federal, state, and local laws with the requirements of OSHA and the CDC. Participants will be provided with links to resources available to help individuals and businesses with relief including the most recent guidance on how to negotiate COVID-19 workplace issues.

  Program Fee: Free for Members | $50 for Nonmembers

• Agenda:

  12:00pm – 12:35pm
  Employment Issues for Small Law Firms and their Clients
  Joan C. Lenihan

  I. Are Small Law Firms and Solo Practitioners Essential Businesses?
  – New York State Guidance

  II. OSHA requires Employers to keep Employees Safe.
  – Section 5 (a) (1) of the OSH Act
  – OSHA Planning Guidance
  – Employer Policies To Reduce the Incidence of Infection

  III. Interplay Between OSHA and CDC Regulations and Employment Laws
  – Title VII
  – ADA
  – GINA
  – FLSA

  IV. New York State Emergency Quarantine Paid Sick Leave Act
  – Benefits for Employees who are Subject to Government Quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure

  V. Families First Coronavirus Response Act, HR6201
  – Extends FMLA Benefits
  – Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act

  VI. Corona Aid and Economic Security Act (“CARES), HR 748
  – Provides Small Business Loans
  – Expands Unemployment

  12:35pm – 1:20pm
  What is a Law Firm To Do?
  Tax Relief for Lawyers and Their Clients
  Mark Josephson

  I. The Three Phases of Coronavirus Response Packages Already Passed:
  – Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations
  Act, 2020 (3/6/20)
  – Families First Coronavirus Response Act, 2020 (“FFCRA”) (3/18/20)
  – Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES”) (3/27/20)
  – Phase four Coronavirus Response Package in the works.

  II. New Filing and Payment Deadlines:
  – Which tax returns and tax forms are extended?
  – Which payments are extended?
  – Who is eligible?

  III. Individual Provisions:
  – Individual rebate checks.
  – Retirement plan contributions.
  – Retirement plan withdrawals and penalty waivers.
  – Required minimum distributions (RMD).
  – Increased charitable donation deduction.
  – Other 2019 tax changes.
  – New tax 2020 planning rules.

  IV. Business Provisions availability and Process:
  – Credits and deferrals.
  – SBA Loans and Assistance.
  – Liquidity and Taxation.
  – Forgiveness of loans and tax.
  – Other 2019 tax changes.
  – New tax 2020 planning rules.

  1:20pm – 1:30pm
  Questions and Answers
  Closing Remarks

• CLE Credit
  New York: 1.5 Professional Practice
  New Jersey: 1.5 General
  California: 1.5 General
  Pennsylvania: 1.0 General
  Connecticut: Available to Licensed Attorneys

• Sponsoring Association Committees:
  Small Law Firms, Gary M. Kaufman, Chair
  Labor & Employment, Katherine A. Greenberg, Chair
  Taxation of Business Entities Committee, John P. Barrie, Chair

  Sponsorship Opportunities are Available! Please Contact:
  Angie Avila, Manager, Membership Outreach and Sponsorships | (212) 382-6608 | aavila@nycbar.org

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