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Covid-19 Pandemic Recovery Task Force

On Friday, April 3, 2020, the Executive Council of the Business Law Section voted unanimously to create a temporary Covid-19 Pandemic Recovery Task Force. This task force was disbanded on January 26, 2023. This page remains as a resource.

Information on COVID-19 is being updated daily on the Bar’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. It now includes sections on court announcements, Florida Bar announcements, and member and consumer resources.

The Task Force developed a whitepaper titled “Commercial Property Insurance Claims in Response to COVID-19.” This whitepaper provides an overview of business interruption insurance coverage in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers the common characteristics of standard business interruption coverage included in commercial property insurance policies, identifies the possible limitations, and discusses the litigation and legislation that has arisen in response to the pandemic. It also includes practical recommendations for business owners and non-profits who are considering making a claim under their property insurance policy. It was authored by Christopher R. Thompson, Esq., Burr & Forman, LLP, with assistance from Prof. Stephen K. Halpert, Professor of Law, University of Miami School of Law, and others on the Task Force. You can read or download the whitepaper by clicking here.

Bankruptcy for Beginners, live presentation 2016

CLE

Advocacy and Technology Tips When Working From Home During COVID-19 And Beyond.

Business Litigation in Crisis: Contract Enforceability, Business Interruption and Inverse Condemnation in the wake of COVID-19.

View from the Bench, Virtual Practice in Business Court

Main Street CARES: Understanding Loans, Forgiveness and Tax Benefits for Businesses affected by COVID-19.

Business UNusual: A Practical Overview of Bankruptcy in Florida amidst COVID-19.

Conducting Online Depositions, from LegalFuel, 5/4/20

Navigating the CARES Act, from LegalFuel

Florida Supreme Court Administrative Orders

  • Chief Justice issues Best Practices guidelines for remote court proceedings, 5/13/2020
  • Comprehensive COVID-19 Emergency Measures for Florida State Courts, No. AOSC20-23
  • Jury Trials Suspended: No. AOSC20-17, March 24: The Florida Supreme Court issued a new statewide COVID-19 emergency order suspending jury trials through April 17. The Supreme Court also issued a video message from Chief Justice Canady regarding COVID-19.
  • The Clerks of Court has created a web page with links to clerks’ offices and frequently updated announcements and resources.

Court Announcements.

State of Florida Executive Orders

  • EO 20-121, extends EO 20-94, 5/14/20
  • EO 20-95, allows employers receiving money from the federal CARES Act to use the full dollar amount to pay their rent and help their employees
  • EO 20-94, Emergency Management – COVID-19 – Mortgage Foreclosure & Eviction Relief, 4/2/20
  • EO 20-92, Essential Services and Activities, 4/1/20

Federal Government Programs for Small and Medium Size Business (CARES Act and Payroll Protection Program)

Federal Reserve Resources and FAQ’s, 5/13/20

Local Administrative Orders, visit your local court’s website for the latest AO.

Insurance Resources

Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation has issued four information memoranda. Informational Memorandum OIR-20-03M directs all insurers and other entities regulated by OIR to review and update their business continuity and/or continuity of operations plans. Informational Memorandum OIR-20-01M directs health insurers to: use every channel available to communicate with their policyholders and share official CDC and DOH information; devote resources to inform consumers of available benefits, quickly respond to inquiries, and avoid and dispel misinformation; work with public health officials to do everything possible to prepare and respond; and consider all practicable options to reduce the barriers of cost-sharing for testing and treatment of COVID-19. Informational Memorandum OIR-20-02M reminds to all health insurers to allow for early prescription refills following the Governor’s Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of emergency in Florida.

Foreclosures/Eviction Resources

  • EO 20-94, Emergency Management – COVID-19 – Mortgage Foreclosure & Eviction Relief, 4/2/20

Other Resources

Resource Pages from BLS Members

Institutional Resources

Virtual Arbitration

The information, materials, documents, and links on this web site are for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. This information is not intended to create a lawyer-client relationship, nor does your receipt of this information create a lawyer-client relationship with any lawyer who posted information on this website or otherwise. Online readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel or tax advice from their own lawyer.