News + Insights

Happy 18th Birthday! Your College-Aged Child is an Adult. Now What?

Written By Virginia S. Carter

Believe it or not, as of your child's 18th birthday, your child is an "adult" in the eyes of the law.  With colleges and many businesses shut down due to COVID-19, your adult child might be living back under your roo…

Adam Beaudoin to Participate in CAI-NC Webinar on Risks & Liabilities for HOAs

As COVID-19 lockdown restrictions ease, many HOA boards and community managers may be weighing the risks of reopening pools, clubhouses, and other amenities.  Ward and Smith attorney Adam Beaudion, Andrew Bateman, a …

Significant Restrictions Imposed on Public and Community Pools for Phase 2 Reopening in NC

Written By Alexander C. Dale

Effective May 22, 2020 at 5pm, North Carolina will enter what the Governor calls "Phase 2" of the Governor's prolonged phases of reopening the state.  To enter Phase 2, the Governor issued Executive Order 141 to imple…

Returning to Work in a Pandemic: What Employers Need to Know

Written By Angela P. Doughty, CIPP-US

Restrictions are lifting, businesses are reopening, and corporate counsel face a slew of novel legal considerations as they guide their companies through post-lockdown operations. During a May 14 webinar for the Research …

NC Modestly Moves into Phase 2: What NC Businesses Need to Know

Written By Kristin D. Mitcham

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services ("NCDHHS"), conducted a press conference at 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2020, where they outlined the…

How Outdoor Sports and Recreation Operations Can Protect Themselves in a Post COVID-19 Environment

Written By Kristin D. Mitcham

There is a world history of pandemics that, at one point or another, crippled civilizations or dynasties.  In America's more recent history, our country has experienced the Spanish Flu (1918 – 1920), the Asian F…

Don't Dive Right In! Strategies for Opening Community Pools in the Wake of COVID-19

Written By Eric J. Remington and Amy H. Wooten

Ed. Note: On May 21, The NC Department of Health and Human Services issued Interim Guidance for Public Pools and Spas. See our coverage of this most recent guidance here.  State and local governme…

Media Mention: Grant Osborne Discusses Employment Issues with "Architect" Magazine

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many industries across different sectors are being forced to make some tough decisions to stay afloat.  Architect magazine, the official journal of the American Institute of A…

Joint Ventures in Hemp – You Don't Have to "Go It Alone"

Written By Richard J. Crow and Tyler J. Russell

Investors and owners of hemp and CBD businesses have grit – a trait that goes hand-in-hand with being an entrepreneur.  They are innovative, learn quickly from mistakes, and regularly adapt to new and changing …

"Do I Need to Return My PPP Loan?" SBA Extends Safe Harbor Deadline to May 18

Written By William S. Durr

[Ed. Note: The safe harbor deadline has been updated to reflect FAQ 47, published on May 13, which extends the original safe harbor deadline to May 18 for PPP borrowers to return their loans.  The deadline e…

What To Do First if You Are Involved in a Car Accident in North Carolina

Written By Lynwood P. Evans and Jeremy M. Wilson

As a result of "stay at home" orders and other social distancing guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19, fewer North Carolinians are driving.  In fact, recent news stories report that some car insurance compa…

New Online Liability Waiver Review Service for Reopening Businesses

Ward and Smith's Outdoor Sports and Recreation team has developed a new online service to help businesses that use liability waivers be certain that those waivers cover issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Liabili…

Local Government Laws Updated to Deal with COVID-19 and States of Emergency

Written By James R. Todd

On Monday, May 4 Governor Roy Cooper signed two COVID-19 relief bills into law: House Bill 1043 and Senate Bill 704.  The laws cover a variety of stimulus, tax, and legislative issues, but they also seek to provide im…

Temporary Relief for NC Taxpayers Under New COVID-19 Legislation

Written By Lee C. Hodge and Peter B. von Stein

Members of the North Carolina General Assembly made good use of their time leading up to the short session that began on April 28, with each chamber filing a COVID-19 relief bill within twenty-four hours of reconvening. Se…

COVID-19 Closed My Business. Can I Still Reorganize in Bankruptcy?

Written By Lance P. Martin

We previously informed you that if you are a small business that needed to file bankruptcy to save your company, then you may be able to take advantage of Subchapter V of Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.  The new s…

New Online Commercial Lease Review Service for NC Landlords and Tenants

Ward and Smith's Real Estate team has developed a new online service to help landlords and tenants navigate North Carolina commercial leases that are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new service allows for a thoroug…

Lights Out: Ward and Smith Gets Creative to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day at Home

On April 22, 2020, several Ward and Smith attorneys and staff celebrated Earth Day by going dark. Working without lights was one of many ways the firm's Green Team encouraged people to mark the 50th anniversary of this gl…

Ward and Smith Creates Loan "Forgiveness Maximizer™" Report for PPP Borrowers

Ward and Smith is helping small business borrowers maximize their loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") with the creation of a new custom report. The PPP loan program, currently on the second roun…

Ward and Smith Launches Online Estate Planning "Essentials Package"

Estate planning typically involves in-depth communication between our clients and Ward and Smith's experienced estate planning attorneys.  In this time of uncertainty, however, we've had requests for more immediate, b…

Celebrating National Library Week with a Spotlight on Law Librarian Brandi Osborne

It's National Library Week, an annual initiative in April that recognizes the importance of libraries and librarians. Their vast resources make these spaces a necessity for cities, towns, schools, and even law firms. In …

Tyler Russell Named Raleigh Geographic Team Co-Chair

Ward and Smith is pleased to announce Tyler Russell as the new co-chair of the Raleigh Geographic Team. He will serve with government relations attorney Whitney Campbell Christensen, who has led the team since 2019. "The…

Federal COVID-19 Relief for Agribusinesses

Written By Tyler J. Russell and Allen N. Trask, III

The Coronavirus has been largely indiscriminate in its assault on the business community.  Agriculture is no exception.  It is true that many "agribusinesses," especially those directly involved in food producti…

Desperate Times Call for…Taco Tuesday? Navigating the Use of Food Trucks in HOA Communities During COVID-19

Written By Adam M. Beaudoin

We have now just crossed the halfway point of Governor Cooper's "Stay at Home" Order, which, unless additional action is taken, is set to expire on April 29, 2020. This has been a challenging time for Community Associatio…

Governor Adds New COVID-19 Social Distancing Regulations for Retailers

Written By James R. Todd and Amy H. Wooten

As North Carolina citizens and businesses approach the third week of access, travel, and gathering restrictions, Governor Roy Cooper has now issued an Executive Order which implements additional restrictions aimed primaril…

Whodunnit? Understanding Who Is Responsible for COVID-19 Restrictions

Written By Alexander C. Dale

You've been told to stay at home.  Now, you may be under a nightly curfew, or you are told you must designate one shopper in your household.  Public parks and beaches are closed, and food trucks are prohibited f…

COVID-19 and Defense Contractors: Fighting for the Future

Written By James W. Norment

"We are at war. It's a different type of war, but a war nonetheless." - General Mark A. Milley, US Army, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the military's response to COVID-19. "The Defense Industrial Base (…

COVID-19 and Benefits: "Now, a Word from Your HR Director"

Written By Michael D. Christman, MBA, SPHR

By now, most employers have been inundated with information on the CARES Act, which was recently passed in an attempt to stimulate the U.S. economy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  However, you may not know that t…

COVID-19 Cancelled My Event. What Now?

Written By Chris S. Edwards

If you're like me, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus—and COVID-19, the disease it causes—has cleared out your social calendar.    Across the country, major events—like Austin's South by Sou…

Ward and Smith Welcomes Two Attorneys to Raleigh Office

COVID-19 has impacted our state tremendously in recent days, but Ward and Smith's ability to provide comprehensive legal services to our clients not only remains steadfast but has grown, with the addition of two new attorn…

Loan Modification and Reporting During the COVID-19 Crisis

Written By Lance P. Martin

We reported that, on March 9, 2020, the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, National Credit Union Administration, and Conf…

COVID-19 and Force Majeure: What Businesses Should Know

Written By Michael E. Kohagen

The effects of COVID-19 on our interpersonal and business relationships grow each day. The virus has prevented countless North Carolina companies from carrying on in the ordinary course.  For example, little more tha…

New COVID-19 Guidance for Public Sector Employers

Written By Emily G. Massey and Clifford P. Parson

On March 18, 2020, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFCRA") to address some of the effects COVID-19 has caused in workplaces across the country.  As we have written previously, the U.S. D…

Help for the Hemp Industry in the COVID-19 Crisis

Written By Tyler J. Russell and Allen N. Trask, III

The last month has been difficult for everyone, to say the least.  The hemp industry as a whole has faced tremendous economic pressures and worries for months.  Businesses continue to operate under regulatory un…

Environmental Enforcement Discretion Guidance from U.S. EPA for COVID-19 Disruptions

Written By Amy P. Wang

On Thursday, March 26, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") published guidance for how it will enforce environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The temporary policy, which is r…

AG's Office Gives Guidance on Remote Meetings for Local Governments during COVID-19

Written By Clifford P. Parson

With social distancing guidelines limiting the number of people gathering in one place to 10 or fewer, and with the Governor's "stay at home" order now in effect, local governments have been doing their best to maintain th…

Impact of COVID-19 on Force Majeure and Rent Abatement in Commercial Leases

Written By Kristin D. Mitcham and Allen N. Trask, III

Many businesses have suffered greatly in the wake of the measures taken to slow the spread of COVID-19.  One immediate impact is the flood of requests from commercial tenants to their landlords for rent reduction or …

COVID-19 Relief Package to Include Small Business Loans

Written By Joanne Badr Morgan

On March 25, 2020, the U.S. Senate unanimously voted to advance legislation titled Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act") to respond to individuals, families, and businesses affected by the co…

Essential Documents: Preparing for COVID-19

Written By Eldridge D. Dodson

In this unprecedented and uncertain time, health experts are providing us with the facts about COVID-19.  Being well-informed enables us to know what measures to take in avoiding exposure to COVID-19 – starting…

Pitt Community College Foundation Changes Format of Spring Fundraiser Due to COVID-19 Outbreak

Every year, the Pitt Community College Foundation (PCC) holds a fundraiser to benefit student scholarships, programs, and educational activities.  Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the nonprofit has changed the format of…

Ward and Smith Launches COVID-19 Response Team for Client Questions, Concerns

In order to efficiently address the vast and rapidly changing effects COVID-19 will continue to have on our clients and their needs, Ward and Smith has formed a COVID-19 Response Team.   The members of the Team …

7 Guidelines for Parents Sharing Custody of Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Written By Lauren Taylor Arnette Quinn

With the Governor's proclamation to close schools and restaurants to dine-in customers, now, more than ever, our children are a primary focus during these trying times.  All parents are faced with the challenges of e…

Ward and Smith's Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

To our clients and friends: Ward and Smith, like so many other businesses in our community, is doing our part to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) while ensuring that all of your legal needs will continue to b…

Postponed: 2020 Venture Connect

03/06/20 Update: The Venture Connect Summit has been postponed to a later date which is to be determined. Organizers have cited new developments from the CDC in regards to COVID-19, as known as the Coronavirus, as the reas…