In any market and industry, businesses sometimes find the best way forward—or out—is through mergers and acquisitions (M&A). A successful M&A transaction, one seen through to completion, is not a matter of luck or circumstance. A detailed and thoughtfully carried out M&A plan is essential to successfully completing an M&A transaction or avoiding one that, in the end, would not be in your business’s best interest. Because of the legal ramifications at various points in the process, an attorney with experience helping clients through the stages of mergers and acquisitions is an invaluable resource for businesses considering this path forward.

On August 3, 2020, a New York federal district court struck down several parts of the US Department of Labor (DOL) April 2020 rule (the April Rule) interpreting the FFCRA (Families First Coronavirus Response Act). The DOL has since issued a revised temporary rule to clarify the department’s interpretation of the paid leave provisions in the Act, but, significantly, it held fast to certain aspects of the prior final rule. How this affects employers across the country remains to be seen, so employers need to closely monitor any future challenges and changes to the DOL rule.

Building a successful business means constantly reevaluating what does and doesn’t work. Weighing the effectiveness of your business structure, staffing, and marketing efforts, to name a few, helps you determine when changes are necessary to maintain profitability. Sometimes, these evaluations show the need for significant changes, including downsizing. 

The hospitality industry, from restaurants and hotels to arts and entertainment venues and the many vendors and businesses that supply or work with these companies, has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Too many businesses have closed for good, unable to remain solvent through the crisis. Some, however, are weathering the storm or even learning how to thrive in this time of crisis. Examining how hospitality businesses are surviving the pandemic can provide insight and inspiration to help your business do the same.

COVID-19’s impact on West Virginia (WV) employers continues to shadow businesses, government, and individual citizens. The federal response to the pandemic-induced economic shutdown, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), attempted to provide relief to families suffering due to business, childcare provider, and school closures. But the quickly passed legislation and intermittent, new guidance from the US Department of Labor has West Virginia employers scrambling to keep up. To help employers see the bigger picture, employers need to know the basic information about employer paid leave summarized below.