COVID-19 Impact on Clients
Holtzman Vogel, PLLC is currently very engaged in managing matters related to the COVID-19 outbreak and the impact on clients. We are fully equipped to continue operating in a normal manner, despite short-term challenges, and will continue to provide the highest level of engagement and service during this critical time when many of our clients face major contract issues, workforce questions, and deadline challenges.
Please be aware that state courts, state and federal agencies, and private businesses have made changes in legal and business practices that substantially affect our clients. We are actively monitoring developments and continue to provide real time updates as courts and regulatory bodies revise deadlines and agencies issue updates. This issue is very fluid with new developments every hour and we encourage you to ask questions as these changes affect you.
In the coming weeks, we will send regular updates regarding the impact COVID-19 is having on the operations of federal agencies such as the Federal Election Commission and Internal Revenue Service, as well as state election and campaign finance agency updates.[1] For example, the states of Louisiana and Georgia have already postponed their primary election dates and we expect additional changes in other states. We will highlight a list of issues that you should consider as this crisis impacts every facet of government and industry. Contracts, corporate governance, federal and state filing deadlines are just some of the areas where changes will affect you.
As you are aware, the following activities are likely to be impacted by closures and delays relating to COVID-19:
Political committee reporting requirements at the federal, state, and local levels; Lobbying disclosure due dates at the federal, state, and local levels; Dates and polling locations for primary elections across the country; Proposed and implemented changes in ballot access and election procedures (such as expanded use of voting by mail);
Tax filings and returns for tax-exempt organizations including political committees; Electioneering communication and independent expenditure notice filings; Event cancellations with questions of contractual liability and the applicability of force majeure clauses; and Issues related to short term workforce modifications.
Please review updates from local and state public health authorities and from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and make decisions for your organization based on the best information from government sources. The CDC has established a webpage that contains useful information about COVID-19 that can be found at https://www.coronavirus.gov.
We are available to answer questions and discuss strategies to assist you. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
[1] These alerts are intended for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice nor do they create an attorney client relationship.