By Elizabeth O. Manchester You are ready to join a nonprofit board so you can help support the good work that it does. Do you know the risks associated with serving in this important role? In both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, directors of nonprofit corporations must discharge duties in good faith and in a manner...
Client AlertsNonprofit‘Tis the Season…for Commercial Co-Ventures
November 25, 2020
We’ve all seen the ads: “a portion of our sales are donated to charity”, “for every dollar you spend here, we will donate to a local food pantry”, “for every bag of dog food purchased we will donate to an animal shelter”. This type of advertising is referred to as a “commercial co-venture”, although it...
Client AlertsCorporate & BusinessGovernor Raimondo Announces Grants Available for Businesses Affected by Early Shutdown Order
November 11, 2020
Governor Gina Raimondo has announced a Coronavirus Relief Fund grant program for Rhode Island businesses affected by Executive Order 20-95, which requires an early shutdown for certain bars and restaurants. Under the Executive Order, for at least two weeks, effective on Sunday, November 8, 2020, all restaurants and bars must end service at 10:00 p.m. on...
Client AlertsCorporate & BusinessSBA Announces Loan Necessity Questionnaires for PPP Loans of $2 Million or Greater
November 10, 2020
The Small Business Administration has announced in the Federal Register the release of two proposed questionnaires for recipients of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $2 million or greater. One questionnaire will collect information from for-profit borrowers, and the other questionnaire is for non-profits. The questionnaires have not been posted to the SBA’s website but...
Client AlertsCorporate & BusinessScammers Obtain Fraudulent SBA Loans by Posing as Legitimate Companies
November 3, 2020
When tragedy hits, there are always nefarious people who will try to profit. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. There have been recent instances in which scammers have successfully used publicly available information of unsuspecting companies to fraudulently apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). In one example, a...
Client AlertsEmployment & LaborCDC Expands the Definition of “Close Contact” for Purposes of Quarantine and Contact Tracing
October 22, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recommends quarantine for those who have been in “close contact” to a person who tested positive for COVID-19. Local health departments (and employers) typically rely on the CDC guidance in performing contact tracing and notifying exposed individuals. Yesterday, the CDC broadened the definition of “close contact” from...
While some states’ ongoing efforts to legalize cannabis via voter referendums have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of states will still be presenting the voters with questions regarding legalization of cannabis this year. Arizona, South Dakota, Montana and New Jersey voters will vote on adult recreational use legalization, while Idaho and Mississippi...
Client AlertsCorporate & BusinessEmployment & LaborSBA Issues Guidance on Treatment of PPP Loans in Mergers and Acquisitions
October 7, 2020
On October 2, 2020, the SBA issued guidance under a procedural notice (the “Notice”) providing information concerning the required procedures for changes of ownership of an entity that has received a Payroll Protection Program (“PPP”) loan (such entity, a “PPP Borrower”). Under the guidance, if a change of ownership occurs in a PPP Borrower, prior...
Client AlertsEmployment & LaborRhode Island Minimum Wage Increases to $11.50 Per Hour
September 30, 2020
By Alicia J. Samolis Beginning October 1, 2020, the minimum wage that employers must pay Rhode Island employees increases to $11.50 per hour. All employers must pay this minimum wage regardless of the employers’ size and revenue. Employers should update their workforce posters accordingly. It is important for employers to note that failing to pay...
CannabisClient AlertsBe Mindful of Potential Zoning Hurdles to Rhode Island Marijuana Licenses
September 23, 2020
Regulations governing the issuance of certain marijuana-related state licenses in Rhode Island do not require that applicants have specific municipal approvals but do require evidence of compliance with local zoning laws. This can create a hurdle that applicants do not anticipate in . In one recent decision, the Superior Court upheld the City of Pawtucket’s...
