Stevens & Lee Webinar Library

Implications of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and PUMP Act Compliance
Originally recorded: Thursday, October 26, 2023

Summary: The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) went into effect on June 27, 2023, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued its proposed PWFA regulations. This presentation is being offered by Stevens & Lee to assist you in understanding the steps that you should take as an organization to comply with these important laws from a policy and an employee relations perspective.

Presenters: Lisa Scidurlo, Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Department; Theresa Zechman, Shareholder

Mandatory Vaccines, the ETS and OSHA’s Next Steps – Oh My! What Employers Can and Should Do Given the State of Affairs
Originally recorded: Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Summary: Stevens & Lee’s employment law attorneys discuss the current status of OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and likely next steps; the current status of other vaccine mandates, such as those governing federal contractors and health care; and what employers can and should do now as it relates to vaccines in light of the shifting state of the law. They also discuss some of the litigation involving these types of policies, such as vaccine policies and/or other COVID-19 related policies.

Presenters: Lisa Scidurlo, Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Department; Brad M. Kushner, Shareholder; Theresa Zechman, Shareholder

OSHA Issues COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard
Originally recorded: Thursday, November 11, 2021

Summary: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has taken the unprecedented step of issuing an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring, among other things, COVID-19 vaccinations or regular testing for approximately 264,000 entities and 84.2 million employees.

In this webinar we will provide answers and clarification to some of the most common questions concerning the ETS.

Presenters: Lisa Scidurlo, Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Department; Brad M. Kushner, Shareholder; Theresa Zechman, Shareholder

What Every Employer Should Know About the President’s Employee Vaccine Mandate
Originally recorded: Thursday, September 16, 2021

Summary: On September 9, 2021, President Joe Biden announced a sweeping, six-pronged COVID-19 Action Plan that includes an employee vaccine mandate that will significantly impact many private employers. The plan also obligates covered employers whose employees refuse to get vaccinated to require proof of a negative COVID test each week, and covered employers must provide paid leave to employees who get vaccines or are recovering from the side effects of a vaccine.

Join Stevens & Lee’s employment law experts as they discuss the likely implications of the law and what employers can do now to prepare.

Presenters: Lisa Scidurlo, Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Department; Brad M. Kushner, Shareholder

Returning Employees to the Workplace – The Right Way
Originally recorded: Thursday, May 13, 2021

Summary: CDC guidelines and state guidance has been shifting regarding how businesses should go about returning remote employees to the workplace in light of the COVID-19 vaccination progress across the country. Employers have many issues to consider. In this session of our 2021 COVID-19 webinar series, our Labor and Employment attorneys discuss how to bring employees back to the workplace – the right way!

Presenters: Lisa Scidurlo, Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Department; Theresa Zechman, Shareholder

Vaccines, Returning to Work and the Latest Legal Developments
Originally recorded: Thursday, April 29, 2021

Summary: In this session of our 2021 COVID-19 webinar series, our Labor and Employment attorneys discuss:

COVID-19 vaccines
The latest Department of Labor regulations pertaining to COVID-19
Complying with the ADA
HIPAA issues
What employers are doing to comply with the latest COVID-19 regulations

Presenters: Lisa Scidurlo, Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Department; Theresa Zechman, Shareholder; Daniel Sobol, Shareholder

Complying with OSHA Requirements in the Era of COVID-19
Originally recorded: Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Summary: Amid pressure from labor unions, worker safety organizations and the Biden Administration, OSHA is ramping up its COVID-19 prevention, inspection and enforcement efforts. While there are existing guidelines to help keep employees safe during the pandemic, OSHA is expected to issue an emergency COVID-19 standard on or before March 15, 2021 that will be binding on most employers. This webinar will help employers understand what they must do to comply with that standard.

Additionally, the webinar addresses:

When and how employers must report and record cases of COVID-19 among employees
What other OSHA standards (such as PPE requirements) may apply to COVID-19
How OSHA is handling inspections during the pandemic
What increased OSHA enforcement efforts look like under the Biden Administration
How individual states have addressed COVID-19 worker safety

Presenter: Brad M. Kushner, Shareholder

Significant Labor and Employment Law Developments Under the New Administration So Far, and Those to Come
Originally recorded: Thursday, February 25, 2021

Summary: In this session of our 2021 COVID-19 webinar series, our attorneys discuss labor and employment law developments under the new Administration. Topics discussed include:

Changes at the NLRB’s Office of General Counsel and what this means for employers
Regulatory changes in the area of wage and hour law occurring at the Department of Labor
Developments at the EEOC related to expected enforcement trends and proposed modification to the conciliation process
What’s inside the proposed Protecting the Right to Organize Act
Information about a number of President Biden’s key legislative initiatives in Congress, including the extension of the FFCRA and paid family leave, and thoughts on the likelihood of these initiatives reaching final passage

Presenters: Daniel J. Sobol, Shareholder; Wade D. Albert, Of Counsel; Brandon S. Shemtob, Associate

New Era of Immigration in a Biden Administration
Originally recorded: Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Summary: As business owners, we know that access to a reliable and efficient global workforce significantly impacts business planning, our people and our economies. In the last four years immigration policies have affected individuals, families and businesses of all sizes. In this webinar, our attorneys discuss what the Biden administration means for business immigration and global mobility. Will this administration reverse any prior restrictions? What changes can we expect with respect to a larger strategy for reform? What opportunities does immigration reform offer for your business?

Moderator: Marianne J. Gilmartin, Shareholder

Presenter: Manuela M. Morais, Co-Chair, Immigration and Nationality Practice

COVID-19: Litigation Trends and Theories of Liability
Originally recorded: February 10, 2021

Summary: In this session of our 2021 COVID-19 webinar series, our attorneys will discuss theories of liability in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics discussed include:

FMLA/EPSL and expanded FMLA issues under the FFRCA
ADA issues including disability and accommodation
Caregiver discrimination
Face mask and other PPE-related issues
Other COVID-related issues facing employers

Presenters: Lisa M. Scidurlo, Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Department; Theresa M. Zechman, Shareholder

Growing Your Institution Through a Long Term Strategic Partnership or “Private System Affiliation”
Originally recorded: January 26, 2021

Summary: Many private, not-for-profit colleges and universities recognize that they lack the resources necessary for organic growth and reinvestment, but fear they will lose or jeopardize their unique mission, brand, culture, campus or other aspects of their institutional identity if they were to be acquired by another institutions. A private system is one way to create scale and leverage administrative talent and system wide resources, while preserving certain aspects of an institution’s individual identity.

This webinar provides several examples of private systems, in and outside of the higher education sector, including typical features of these systems, common legal and governance structures and some of the potential benefits.

Presenters: Brian C. Mitchell, President and Managing Principal, Academic Innovators; Richard K. Gaumer, Founding Principal, Academic Innovators; Blake C. Marles, Chair, Higher Education Group, Stevens & Lee; Joanne M. Judge, Shareholder, Stevens & Lee; and Rebecca C. Delia, Senior Vice President, Higher Education, FSL Public Finance

COVID-19: Current State of Affairs
Originally presented: January 21, 2021

Summary: In this first session of our 2021 COVID-19 webinar series, our attorneys provided an update regarding current federal, state and local regulations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics discussed:

Department of Labor Guidance
CARES Act Extensions
COVID Vaccine Distribution, Accommodations and Testing Requirements
Paycheck Protection Program Funding

Presenters: Joseph P. Hofmann, Shareholder, and Daniel J. Sobol, Shareholder

Remaining as an Independent Higher Education Institution in a Post-Pandemic World
Originally Recorded: November 16, 2020

Summary: Does independence continue to make sense for your college or university? Can your institution survive and thrive through and after the COVID-19 crisis as an independent institution? What are the kinds of issues that you need to think about, how do you plan for continued independence, and how do you measure the outcomes of your decision?

This webinar highlights the importance of critical self-assessment, as well as a number of areas on which institutions should focus, including but not limited to, revenue enhancement, cost reduction, margin improvement, liquidity, credit, risk mitigation and governance, among other issues.

Presenters: Brian C. Mitchell, President and Managing Principal, Academic Innovators; Blake C. Marles, Chair, Higher Education Group, Stevens & Lee; Rebecca C. Delia, Senior Vice President, Higher Education, FSL Public Finance; Richard K. Gaumer, Founding Principal, Academic Innovators; and Jennifer L. Nevins, Shareholder, Stevens & Lee

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Revisits Marketing Services Agreements Under RESPA Webinar
Originally recorded: November 3, 2020

Summary: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued new guidance on marketing services agreements (MSAs) and their treatment under Section 8 of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). The new CFPB position reflects a significant change in the agency’s posture. This webinar analyzes the new policy and applies it to future MSA use.

Presenter: Paul Schieber, Shareholder

Navigating Commercial Lease Disputes During the Global Pandemic
Originally recorded: October 29, 2020

On October 29, 2020, Stevens & Lee professionals presented a webinar exclusively for experienced commercial brokers and agents regarding how to navigate commercial lease disputes during the global pandemic.

The Commercial Real Estate Market
presented by Glenn Blumenthal, Griffin Financial Group
Negotiations and Termination
presented by Christopher K. Costa and Christopher S. Tarr
Stalled in Court: Status of Evictions in NJ, NY and PA
presented by Jonathan E. Mayer
Practical Solutions
presented by Christopher K. Costa and Christopher S. Tarr
Leases of the Future
presented by Christopher K. Costa and Christopher S. Tarr
Relaxed Zoning Regulations: Are They Here to Stay?
presented by Ryan P. Kennedy and Christopher M. Tarr
Discussion and Q&A

Evaluating Exit Strategies to Achieve Your Goals
Originally presented: September 24, 2020

Summary: Within the course of a few short months, 2020 has proven to be a most disruptive year – upending nearly every aspect of our lives and businesses. Amid navigating the daily challenges of the “new normal,” many business owners are considering their exit and the best options to achieve their goals. This webinar provides insight into evaluating two popular exit strategies, M&A sell-side process and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Listen to experienced advisors in these areas on key differences and how to determine the best approach to optimize the sale of your business.

Presenters: Ed Renenger, President and CEO, SES ESOP Strategies; John Lee, Head – Commercial, Industrial and Services Group, Griffin Financial Group; Paula Barrett, Consulting Partner, RKL LLP; and Ryan Hurst, Consulting Partner, RKL LLP

Considering a Merger for Your College or University: Can You Make 2 + 2 = 6?
Originally recorded: September 14, 2020

Summary: According to a survey conducted by Inside Higher Education in July 2020, 22% of Chief Business Officers believe their institution should merge — but how do you get started and what are some of the considerations and challenges you may face? This webinar will provide an overview of the common reasons to merge, the typical steps in the process, considerations in any merger and sample legal structures, as well as provide examples of successful mergers and failed attempts in the higher education sector.

Presenters: Brian Mitchell, President and Managing Principal, Academic Innovators; Joseph M. Harenza, Chairman, Griffin Financial Group; Blake C. Marles, Chair, Higher Education Group, Stevens & Lee; Rebecca C. Delia, Senior Vice President, Higher Education, FSL Public Finance; Richard K. Gaumer, Founding Principal, Academic Innovators

Is Closing Your Institution the Most Responsible Alternative?
Originally recorded: August 21, 2020

Summary: Given existing sector headwinds, and now the revenue uncertainty and mounting costs associated with the pandemic, some higher education institutions have already closed and more are expected to follow. This webinar addresses when a higher education institution should consider closing, lessons learned from recent closings and attempts to close, as well as what to expect and do if you plan to close your institution.

Presenters: Brian Mitchell, President and Managing Principal, Academic Innovators; Joseph M. Harenza, Chairman, Griffin Financial Group; Blake C. Marles, Chair, Higher Education group, Stevens & Lee; Rebecca C. Delia, Senior Vice President, Higher Education, FSL Public Finance; Richard K. Gaumer, Founding Principal, Academic Innovators

Strategic Planning in the Age of Coronavirus and Beyond: Tactics to Survive the Pandemic Now and Evaluating Your Strategic Alternatives for the Future
Originally recorded: July 28, 2020

Summary: The outlook for the higher education sector was bleak before the pandemic, but the pandemic will likely foment a crisis in the industry. Today, most institutions are working to avoid or mitigate a liquidity crisis, but is your institution thinking strategically about its realistic alternatives once the immediate crisis has passed?

An independent strategic alternative study can help you to evaluate the impact of the evolving external landscape on your institution, affirm and validate your financial viability, and provide a feasible assessment of the long term alternatives for your institution. A strategic alternative study is also one way that officers and board members can meet their fiduciary responsibilities to their organization and constituents.

Valuation and Estate Planning Strategies in a Time of Disruption
Originally presented: July 15, 2020

Summary: Within the course of a few short months, 2020 has proven to be a most disruptive year — upending nearly every aspect of our lives and businesses.

Amid navigating the daily challenges of the “new normal,” now is a critical time for business owners to gain a better understanding of how the pandemic has impacted the value of their businesses and its effect on succession and transition plans. With many asset values depressed, federal gift and estate tax exemptions at all-time highs and interest rates at all-time lows, many business owners are seizing the opportunity to reevaluate their estate plans and overall wealth transfer strategy in this new environment.

This webinar provided:

An overview of the current business and economic environment
Insights on the state of valuations, in addition to macro-economic and business-specific factors currently in play
Wealth transfer strategies including gifting, trusts, asset sales and more with an eye toward maximizing the benefits of today’s low tax rates, interest rates and asset values

Presenters: Matthew T. O’Leary, CEO, Griffin Financial Group; Jay R. Wagner, Co-Chair, Estates and Trusts Department, Stevens & Lee; Paula Barrett, Consulting Partner, RKL LLP; and William Onorato, Senior Wealth Strategist, RKL Wealth Management LLC

PPP Loan Forgiveness Tools for Ensuring Compliance with Lender Obligations During Forgiveness
Originally presented: June 25, 2020

Summary: In response to the COVID-19 global health crisis, U.S. Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which included among its provisions the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The CARES Act temporarily permits the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee 100 percent of 7(a) loans under the PPP and provides for forgiveness of up to the full principal amount of qualifying loans guaranteed under the PPP.

In this briefing designed exclusively for lenders that disburse PPP funds, you will become familiar with critically significant PPP program risk and the tools to manage the risk.

This webinar addressed:

Various federal and state level CARES Act fraud enforcement mechanisms applicable to bank and non-bank lenders
Best practices and tools for insulating your organization from liability for borrower fraud during the pre-application and post-application periods, including the loan forgiveness process
Risk transfer devices and D&O insurance coverage

Presenters: Sunjeet S. Gill, Shareholder, Stevens & Lee; Geoffrey R. Johnson, Senior of Counsel, Stevens & Lee; Kenneth M. Maher, Pinnacle Risk Services, Inc.; Frank A. Mayer, III, Of Counsel, Stevens & Lee; Michael V. Broda, Griffin Stevens & Lee Government Consulting, LLC, Jordan S. Winick, Senior Vice President, Griffin Financial Group

PPP Loan Forgiveness Tools to Enhance Your Ability to Obtain Forgiveness
Originally presented: June 23, 2020

Companies unaccustomed to federal oversight and enforcement must consider their compliance with PPP terms and interpretations or risk facing allegations of fraud and losing the ability to obtain loan forgiveness.

This webinar addressed:

An understanding of key risk issues and risk mitigants for borrowers related to the PPP, and the various federal and state level CARES Act fraud enforcement mechanisms
Solutions to insulate your organization from liability during the pre-application and post-application periods and to enhance your enterprise’s positioning to obtain PPP loan forgiveness
An understanding of risk transfer strategies, solutions and risk transfer devices including an understanding of your D&O insurance coverage and its potential limitations.

Presenters: Anthony S. DiSandro, Shareholder, Stevens & Lee; Geoffrey R. Johnson, Senior of Counsel, Stevens & Lee; Kenneth M. Maher, Pinnacle Risk Services, Inc.; Frank A. Mayer, III, Of Counsel, Stevens & Lee; Daniel J. Sobol, Shareholder, Stevens & Lee; Michael V. Broda, Griffin Stevens & Lee Government Consulting, LLC

Businesses in Transition: An Employer’s Practical Guide to Re-Opening and Re-Entry
Originally presented: May 11, 2020

Summary: As the country begins to reopen, businesses should consider a number of practical and legal considerations that will affect every business regardless of size and industry. This webinar addressed the following issues:

Practical considerations for transitioning employees back to the workplace, including legal risks and ongoing issues related to the FFCRA
CDC and OSHA guidance regarding safe workplaces
Union considerations post-pandemic
Update on Paycheck Protection Program
EEOC guidance regarding transitioning back to work
Update on expanded unemployment benefits and eligibility

Presenters: Lisa M. Scidurlo, Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Department; Theresa M. Zechman, Shareholder; Daniel J. Sobol, Shareholder; Joseph P. Hofmann, Shareholder; Brad M. Kushner, Shareholder

The Aftermath of the CARES Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Originally presented: April 17, 2020

Summary: Now that the dust has somewhat settled, employers of all sizes are confronting challenging issues related to the implementation of the pay and leave provisions of the FFCRA and in obtaining federal funds pursuant to the CARES Act.

This webinar addressed:

The most frequently asked questions by employers (and answers!) since the passage of the Acts
The various scenarios faced by employers regarding the practical implications of both Acts from both a business continuity and an employee relations standpoint

Presenters: Lisa M. Scidurlo, Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Department; Theresa M. Zechman, Shareholder; Daniel J. Sobol, Shareholder; Anthony S. DiSandro, Shareholder

CARES Act and Families First Coronavirus Response Act Updates
Originally presented: April 7, 2020

Summary: The COVID-19 global health crisis has presented challenges unlike any other. The Stevens & Lee Rapid Response Team has been monitoring developments and advising clients on the complex legal issues wrought by this pandemic.

In this two-part webinar, we addressed the key provisions of the CARES Act, including an update on recent guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program, and also discussed the temporary regulation issued by the DOL addressing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act as outlined below.

Part 1: CARES Act: Paycheck Protection Program Update

On March 31, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of the Treasury provided additional guidance regarding the terms and conditions and application process for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was established by the CARES Act. We discussed the critical updates provided by this guidance and what it means to you.

Part 2: DOL Issues Temporary Regulation Addressing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued its temporary regulation addressing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) on April 1, 2020. The new rule is effective immediately and addresses a number of outstanding questions about how the FFCRA will work. We answered key questions about the regulation in question and answer format.

Presenters: Lisa M. Scidurlo, Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Department; Theresa M. Zechman, Shareholder; Daniel J. Sobol, Shareholder; Anthony S. DiSandro, Shareholder

COVID-19: A Practical Guide for Employers NOW and Into the Future
Originally presented: March 27, 2020

Summary: The COVID-19 global pandemic has presented challenges to employers unlike any crisis ever before. In this webinar, we addressed what employers need to know now and going forward as it relates to business changes wrought by the pandemic. Issues covered include:

Business closure/stay at home orders in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware
What employers need to know as it relates to the Federal Families First Act legislation and the status of the implementing regulations
State-specific laws and guidance related to COVID-19 employment issues
EEOC guidance related to COVID-19 (temperature taking, medical inquiries, examinations, etc.)
Other legal issues implicated in this pandemic, including issues arising under the WARN Act, Mini-WARN Acts, OSHA, workers’ compensation laws, unemployment compensation laws, and immigration laws

Importantly, we addressed the practical questions that Human Resources professionals and other members of leadership teams are facing.

Presenters: Lisa M. Scidurlo, Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Department; Theresa M. Zechman, Shareholder; Daniel J. Sobol, Shareholder