COVID-19 Update

COVID-19: Update

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation constantly evolves, we want to assure you of the important measures Chico & Nunes is taking at our firm for our team and our clients. Our collective health and well-being are, as always, our top priorities. In addition, our thoughts and prayers are with the people and families in our City and communities who have been affected by this unprecedented event. We also want to recognize the healthcare workers, first responders, government leaders and community leaders who are on the front line working to contain this pandemic. We will continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure a healthy and safe workplace while continuing to provide the service and representation our clients expect of us.

As an initial matter, we have implemented our business continuity plans. This plan includes remote access for all our attorneys and professional staff to ensure we can fully function and respond to clients’ needs. We have asked our team to limit non-essential travel and utilize web meetings, telephone conferences or other virtual meeting options when possible.

As you likely heard, the Cook County Courts as well as Federal Courts have also shut down for the next 30 days, which will have an impact on our litigation related matters. For those of you impacted by the school closures, our attorneys will work around your schedule recognizing that providing for your children and families during this time is the top priority.

Additionally, our goal is to assist our clients in navigating through the relevant challenges this situation presents. We have set up a task force to provide coordinated and updated legal guidance and strategic business counseling that our clients are asking us about, including:

• Employment/HR/Labor Matters (e.g. remote work; testing; sick leave; child care; layoffs; unemployment and health benefits; OSHA, workers compensation; employee claims);
• Commercial/Government Contracts (e.g. force majeure/material adverse change; rent abatement; suspension/termination; defaults/cure periods; supply chain management; labor shortages);
• Insurance, Indemnity and Bonding (e.g. business interruption coverage; surety claims; defenses);
• Licensing and Certification (e.g. MBE/WBE; professional licensing requirements);
• Disputes and Litigation (e.g. actions arising from business interruption and closure);
• Emergency Cash Flows (e.g. negotiation of payment deferrals; government relief programs); and
• Business Continuity (e.g. succession planning; key personnel impacts; shareholder arrangements).

Our objective is to communicate as much and as often as possible. Please do not hesitate to contact us – see contact information below – with any questions related to COVID-19 and how it is impacting your organization. We believe that together we will be able to come out of this extraordinary situation stronger than ever.

Sincerely,
Gery Chico and Jon Leach

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