Coronavirus (COVID-19) Articles and Resources

Practice Management

A compendium of articles & resources to help you navigate the coronavirus pandemic.

Families & Child Rights

Resources to help family lawyers and child advocates during the coronavirus pandemic.

Health & Wellness

Maintaining health and wellness has never been more important. We have collected articles and resources to help you be your best self during the pandemic.

Employment Law

Resources you need to navigate the almost unprecedented employment crisis brought by COVID-19

Real Estate & Construction

Learn what you need to know about the pandemic's impact on the real estate industry.

Financial Services

Early Lessons from the First COVID-19 Securities Class Action Lawsuits to Hit Cruise Line and Pharmaceutical Company

By Craig C. Martin, Paul B. Rietema, Howard S. Suskin

Directors and officers of public companies should exercise great care in any public statements regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses, and carefully consider and document the steps they are taking to oversee and respond to COVID-19 developments.

Class Actions

The Class Action Fallout from COVID-19: A Proliferation of New Disputes

By Erica Rutner

Securities, employment, consumer, and governmental class actions have already been filed.

Financial Services

New COVID-19 Securities Developments: Class Action Omissions Theory and SEC Enforcement Actions

By Gabriel K. Gillett, Katherine M. Funderburg, Paul B. Rietema, and Howard S. Suskin

As companies continue to grapple with the economic impact of the pandemic, expect to see an uptick in shareholder litigation stemming from alleged omissions and misrepresentations.

Trial Practice

Legal Implications of COVID-19 Business Interruption Claims Remain to Be Seen

By Katherine Webster

Even entrepreneurs whose claims are paid by their insurers will have to work to find their place in our “new normal.”

Trial Practice

Experienced in Upheaval: Class Action Practitioners Can Be Valuable Resources During COVID

By Martin Woodward

Class action attorneys have learned many valuables lessons through years of adapting to changes, which could make them valuable resources during the pandemic.

Trial Practice

Tips for Handling Non-Compete Agreements During Times of High Unemployment

By Erik Weibust, Jeremy Cohen, Marcus Mintz, and Jasmine Stanzick

In light of the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, many employers are asking whether they can enforce non-compete agreements against employees who are laid off as a result of the pandemic.

Health

Not Business as Usual: COVID-19, Small Businesses, and Bankruptcy

By Andrew E. Arthur

Five tips for small business owners weathering the financial effects of the pandemic.

General Practice

States Working to Protect Small Businesses Through Insurance

By Sathima Jones

Summary of legislative efforts to compel insurers to pay COVID-19 related business interruption losses.

Tort

The Constitutional Framework for Public Health Responses to Disease Outbreaks

By Christa D. Wittenberg

From 2015: The proper role of the government in responding to public health threats has been much debated in recent months.

Financial Services

A Guide to Representing Parties in SEC Investigations in the Time of Coronavirus

By Matthew Allen, Michael Dicke, Daniel Nathan, and Trace Schmeltz

Enforcement actions are not slowing because of the coronavirus. Here's what to know and how to represent your clients during quarantine.

Agriculture & Food

Illicit to Essential: Cannabis Issues in a COVID-19 World

By Ron Seigneur and Ryan Cram

The future is bright for some, but it will be a supreme struggle for others to redefine a path to success.

Trial Practice

Is the Force Majeure With You?

By Travis S. Hunter and Renée Mosley Delcollo

A review of potential applications of "act of God" clauses in Delaware, in light of COVID-19

Tort

COVID-19 PREP Act Declarations and EUAs for Medical Device Licensors

By James R. Browning Jr.

Practitioners should review the relevant PREP Act declarations and FDA EUAs before and in advising clients who may be considering licenses giving free access to their intellectual property.

Courts & Judiciary

Appellate Precedent and Executive Power in the Time of COVID-19

By Robert A. O’Donnell

Americans must ask themselves how much they are willing to cede in times of fear.

Litigation & Trials

Coronavirus Tests the Commitment to Government Transparency

by Al-Amyn Sumar and Chuck Tobin

When it comes to reporting on health and safety news, government officials and others too often default to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act to withhold public records and public information.

Corporate Protection

Insurance Coverage in the Time of COVID-19

By Joseph M. Saka

Using insurance to mitigate losses and liabilities resulting from coronavirus.

Client Protection

Unauthorized Practice of Law: Rule 5.5 in the Age of COVID-19 and Beyond

By Richard J. Rosensweig

Lawyers increasingly practice law remotely or away from their main office. As a result they may unwittingly violate the rules prohibiting the unauthorized practice of law. This article explores the issues and options for travelling and remote lawyers to avoid violating those rules.

Corporate Protection

Qui Tam Actions: Managing Risk in the Wake of COVID-19

By Sean Bosack and Nina Beck

Conditions will be ripe for a new wave of qui tam actions related to COVID-19 relief funds.

Corporate Protection

When the Levee Breaks: Preparing for a Flood of Trade Secret Litigation

By Chris Patton

It’s no exaggeration to say that the COVID-19 crisis also could be the trade secret crisis of a generation.

Trial Practice

Taking an Immediate Appeal in the Time of COVID-19

By Paige Tungate

Attorneys who are continuing to adapt to this “new normal” would be wise to keep Rule 54(b) in mind as a way to keep the judicial process moving.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Utilizing Virtual Arbitration during the Pandemic

By P. Jean Baker

Arbitrators possess a great deal of power that they can and should exercise to keep costs down and move the process forward expeditiously and fairly.

New Attorneys

Preparing for Corona Court

By Richard D. Rivera

Although you are working in a different venue than normal, you are still doing the job for which you studied and trained.

Trial Practice

The Pandemic's Dramatic Effect on the Business of Law

By Daniel S. Wittenberg

How has the coronavirus impacted the legal industry?

Practice Technology

The ABCs of Creating a Successful Virtual Work Environment

By Michael L. Goldblatt

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the workplace as we know it, both business- and environment-wise. Regardless of the changes you face, here are some simple tips to keep your practice moving along smoothly.

Trial Practice

Using Electronic Contracts and Signatures While Social Distancing

By Matthew R. Slaughter

The Uniform Electronic Transaction Act can cut through the social-distancing barriers by authorizing electronic contracts and signatures.

Prosecution

Checklist of Potential FCA Risks for Healthcare Providers Receiving CARES Act Funds

By Mark Mermelstein, Ellen Murphy, and Rachelle Navarro

The FCA imposes significant penalties from those who knowingly present, or cause to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment of government money.

Trial Practice

Immunity from Liability in the Age of COVID-19: A New Reality for Trial Lawyers?

By Paul Dowdell

The future of tort lawsuits against business defendants for COVID-19-related claims faces a challenge from federal and state lawmakers.

Trial Practice

No COVID-19, No Emotional Distress Claim

By Andrew K. Robertson

Physical symptoms of disease are required to recover for emotional distress.

Practice Technology

How Litigators Are Confronting COVID in the Courtroom

By Norma C. Izzo

This crisis has spurred immediate use of technology that was not largely present, and often frowned upon, in litigation and courtrooms.

Law Students

The Law Student and Judicial Intern Experience in the Time of COVID-19

By Kristen Chang

An interview with a rising 2L matriculating into the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law while interning at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Ethics

PCAOB Modifies Inspection Plan in Light of COVID-19

By Tiffany Rowe

The board will extend the window for conducting audit inspections to five quarters to assess how the coronavirus pandemic has affected audit quality.

Trial Practice

Five Tips for Successful Virtual Mediations

By Ebony S. Morris

Virtual mediations are likely to become much more common and preferred by clients.

Litigation & Trials

Has the Pandemic Increased the Need for Expert Witnesses in M&A Disputes?

By John Levitske and Chris McKay

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased postacquisition disputes, potentially driving a greater need for expert witness services.

Employees

NLRB Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

By Jerry M. Cutler

A board memorandum addresses the pandemic in the context of the vaccination and testing protocols established by OSHA’s recent emergency temporary standard.

Trial Practice

COVID-19 Pandemic: Material Adverse Effects and Covenant Compliance under Delaware Law

By Travis S. Hunter and Renée Mosley Delcollo

Considerations for acquirers and target companies in the post–COVID-19 era.

Environment

EPA Issues Temporary COVID-19 Policy on Enforcement

By Karen Aldridge Crawford

The EPA will exercise "enforcement discretion" for noncompliance resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Environment

EPA’s Interim Guidance on Site Field Work Decisions Due to Impacts of COVID-19

By Karen Aldridge Crawford

New EPA guidance provides additional criteria to be considered when determining whether site field work should continue or be suspended.