News / Blog

The Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) has issued a new questionnaire that all Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) borrowers that received a loan of $2 million or more must complete. Based on current commentary and available information, this requirement will not be asked of parties who received less than $2 million in PPP funds.…

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® have released their 2021 “Best Law Firms” rankings and we’re proud to share that Wickens Herzer Panza has been listed in multiple areas. Rankings as a “Best Law Firm” recognize Firms for their professional excellence and consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.…

At the outset of the Covid-19 Pandemic, courts across the county shut down for all but the most emergency proceedings. Since that time, many courts, including those in Ohio, have opened their doors, but with strict protections and limitations in place, opting for telephonic or video conferences instead of in-person proceedings for routine scheduling matters and limited issue hearings.…

Governor Mike DeWine approved $125 million of Federal CARES Act funding to provide $10,000 grants to qualifying Ohio small businesses. The qualifications under this new Small Business Relief Grant (“SBRG”) program are provided below. …

As we move through the fourth quarter and companies are planning budgets for 2021, one factor that must be considered is the increase to Ohio’s minimum wage. Effective January 21, 2021, for companies with annual gross receipts over $323,000.00, Ohio’s general minimum wage for non-tipped employees will increase to $8.80/hr. and for tipped employees to $4.40/hr. …

Recently, we published a brief article concerning the treatment of a PPP loan in a change of control transaction; specifically, the sale of a PPP borrower’s business. In our experience in such transactions, to date, banks have struggled with addressing the PPP loan prior to the acceptance of an application of forgiveness. …

Imagine the following scenario: perhaps even a typical scenario in today’s commercial real estate environment. A commercial landlord receives a notice from its tenant’s legal counsel. The notice informs the landlord that the tenant, who is seven years into a ten year lease, is vacating the premises in thirty days and would thereafter have no further duties or obligations under the lease. …

The question of whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor has long been a thorn in employers’ sides. With the Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) recent announcement of a proposed rule change, there may be some relief on the horizon.…

How does a PPP loan that has not yet been forgiven get handled in a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deal? “It depends.” Most clients are familiar with this phrase from their lawyer. In most cases the vague or uncommitted response is necessitated by the uncertainty of how the facts might be judged or interpreted in a given situation. …

Yesterday, Governor DeWine signed H.B. 606 which provides civil immunity against actions for injury, death or loss stemming from exposure to COVID-19. Under this new legislation, which is retroactive to March 9, 2020 and expires of September 30, 2021, businesses are provided some immunity from actions relating to COVID-19, provided the exposure complained of was not the result of reckless, intentional, willful or wanton conduct. …