Business Law

Published on: April 13, 2020

Bankruptcy Considerations During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Part 1: Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

The Coronavirus (COV-19) has had a negative impact on everyone physically, mentally, and financially. Businesses are no different. Small and medium sized businesses are especially vulnerable in these troubled times. They are faced with difficult decisions such as whether to temporarily lay off their employees or which bills to pay when little or no revenue is being received.

At McLaughlin & Nardi, LLC, we focus a portion of our practice on advising small and medium sized businesses when faced with these difficult financial decisions. When a business becomes overwhelmed and unable to meet its financial obligations, filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy may be a great means to get the business back on track.

Published on: April 9, 2020

Bankruptcy Considerations During the Coronavirus (COV-19) Part 2: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.

by Robert Chewning, Esq.

As a result of the Coronavirus (COV-19), the unemployment rate has increased rapidly and reports suggest that the unemployment rate may reach 30% in the country. This immediate loss of income for many individuals and families have left them unable to meet their continuing financial obligations such as paying for their mortgage, credit card bills, medical bills, etc.

If an individual or family is in a position where they are behind on their mortgage or other bills, filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be good option for getting them back on track financially.

Published on: April 2, 2020

Bankruptcy Considerations During the Coronavirus (COV-19) Part 3: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

by Robert Chewning, Esq.

Published on: April 2, 2020

New Jersey Provides Coronavirus Relief to Small Businesses

by Pauline M.K. Young

The Federal and State Government has set up avenues of relief to assist businesses in these hard times in the form of loans and grants. Below is rundown of the New

Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program, through which New Jersey is offering Coronavirus relief to small businesses.

What is it?

Published on: April 1, 2020

McLaughlin & Nardi, LLC is Helping Small Businesses, Independent Contractors and Sole Proprietorships Obtain Financing Under the Federal Small Business Paycheck Protection Program

by Maurice W. McLaughlin

In this time of economic uncertainty due to the coronavirus and the social distancing required to slow it, our attorneys and staff are helping New Jersey sba-disaster businesses seek financing under the new Federal Small Business Paycheck Protection Program. The basic elements of the program are below. Call us to obtain help. Applications are being accepted starting April 3^rd, and funding is limited, so time is of the essence.

Small Business Paycheck Protection Program

The new Paycheck Protection Program by the Federal Government will provide small businesses with funds to meet payroll and benefits costs, payroll taxes, vacation and sick leave payments, rent, mortgage interest, and utilities for up to for up to eight weeks. If the funds are used solely for these expenses and the number of the business’s employees stays the same, the loan can be fully forgiven (it is expected that seventy five percent of the forgiven amount will go to payroll expenses). In other words, the loan is converted to a grant and does not need to be repaid. The requirement can be met by retaining employees or quickly rehiring them by June 30, 2020. If the number of full-time employees is reduced then the forgiveness will be reduced, and a pro rata portion of the loan will need to be repaid. Only one loan may be taken. The non-payroll costs need to have been incurred before February 15, 2020.

Published on: March 31, 2020

Federal Coronavirus Stimulus Act Provides Benefits for Struggling Businesses

by Pauline M.K. Young

As a result of the coronavirus (“COVID19”), the federal government has taken significant action to provide relief to individuals and business struggling with civil-service-jobs-1-300x200 economic hardships as a result of lost business during widespread closures and stay-at-home orders. The first major legislation passed by the federal government was the Families First Coronavirus Response Act which provided job protection and paid leave provisions. Now, the government has recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (also known as the “CARES Act”).

The CARES Act provides for approximately $2 trillion in relief aid through expanded unemployment assistance, individual relief checks, tax credits, loans, and grants to businesses which were closed or significantly effected by COVID-19, and funding to hospitals and health care facilities.

Small businesses in particular which are struggling with the current situation economically should look into applying for one or more of these relief options. For example, a business may apply for a $10,000 immediate advance to cover emergency costs that they are unable to pay because of the COVID-19 situation. Expenses covered would, of course, have to be legitimate business costs such as payroll and utilities.

Published on: March 23, 2020

Six Steps for Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in New Jersey

by Pauline M.K. Young

In the time of the Coronavirus (COVID19), many people are concerned about the likelihood of needing to file for unemployment benefits in New Jersey in the near future.

Certainly, many people will be in need of New Jersey State assistance in 2020 and beyond as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and its effects.

Published on: March 23, 2020

Summary of New Jersey Governor Murphy’s New Order Concerning Restrictions on Businesses and People

by Maurice W. McLaughlin

Published on: March 20, 2020

McLaughlin & Nardi, LLC is Open and Ready to Help New Jersey Businesses During the Coronavirus Pandemic

by McLaughlin & Nardi, LLC

Coronavirus be damned, McLaughlin & Nardi is open to help the people and businesses we served for years get through this crisis, and we’ll work with new ones too. This too shall pass, but in the meantime we are here to help you.

Governor Murphy has indicated that he will be shutting down all nonessential businesses. We think we are essential, but if he tells us to close our doors so we will, but we will not close our firm. We are set up to operate remotely, and will be fully functional to help you during this time of need.

Published on: January 31, 2020

New Drug and Alcohol Reporting Requirements for Transportation Companies in 2020

by Pauline M.K. Young

Truck, Transportation, Vehicle
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) announced a new rule establishing a database for information regarding violations of drug and alcohol testing regulations by commercial motor vehicle drivers. While the rule went into effect in 2017, the requirement for FMCSA-regulated employers to begin searching and reporting on this database did not take effect until January 6, 2020.

Therefore, regulated employers are now required to report information regarding any violations of the DOT’s drug and alcohol regulations through the FMCSA’s database (called “Clearinghouse”). This will allow employers to identify drivers who are prohibited from operating a vehicle because of prior violations.

“Regulated employers” include employers in the trucking or transportation industry who either hold a Commercial Driver’s License (“CDL”) themselves or whose employees hold a CDL, and who operate a commercial motor vehicle(s) in any state which has (1) a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more, or (2) is designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or (3) is involved in transporting hazardous materials.