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Attorney Newt Fowler Moderates CEO Panel on “The Other Side” Beyond the COVID Crisis
May 27 2020
BALTIMORE, MD—On Wednesday, May 6, Womble Bond Dickinson attorney Newt Fowler guided a discussion on CEO’s lessons learned for “The Other Side” Beyond the COVID Crisis. The panelists featured CEOs from Thrive Software, LufCo, RocketDocs, and Apex Physics Partners. Our CEO panelists, with a unique blend of experiences, venture and PE backing, are leading their organizations into the future. This webinar explored lessons learned from prior recessions, how they’re planning for the coming “new normal”, what opportunities and challenges they’ve faced, and how they’re focusing on the future.
Some States Are Opposed to EPA’s COVID-19 Blanket Enforcement Policy
May 27 2020
On March 23, 2020, on behalf of its members and U.S. industry, the American Petroleum Institute sent a letter to the EPA requesting a temporary waiver of non-essential compliance obligations, including recordkeeping, training or other non-safety critical requirements. The letter asked that Federal and State agencies consider using enforcement discretion to provide temporary relief, waivers or revised compliance timeframes when compliance activities become infeasible due to travel restrictions and COVID-19 stay home/shelter in place orders.
Womble Bond Dickinson’s Susan Smythe Honored by the Gibbes Museum of Art with Philanthropy Award
May 26 2020
CHARLESTON, SC—Womble Bond Dickinson attorney Susan Smythe is the 2020 recipient of the James Shoolbred Gibbes Philanthropy Award—the highest honor given by the Gibbes Museum of Art for service to the museum. Smythe’s long-standing relationship with the Gibbes Museum began when she helped negotiate the first memorandum of understanding between the City of Charleston and the non-profit Carolina Art Association (CAA) regarding ownership of the Gibbes Museum facility. This memorandum of understanding led to the museum being awarded $3.9 million from the city for important renovations. She also helped the museum secure a $2.6 million Historic Tax Credit as part of that same capital campaign.
Morris Ellison in Greenville News: Why SC Needs Robust 5G Network Post-Pandemic
May 26 2020
While the debate rages as to when and how to restart our economy, history shows that big data and 5G offer a path to a more robust economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. We should take two steps now to assist South Carolina’s “advanced manufacturers” to reopen and be more competitive in a post COVID-19 world.
South Carolina Department of Revenue Offers Clarification Regarding COVID-Related Employment Withholding Requirements
May 26 2020
On May 15, 2020, the South Carolina Department of Revenue published an information letter outlining temporary income tax withholding measures for employers with employees temporarily working remotely as a result of COVID-19. The measures are effective from March 13, 2020, through September 30, 2020. Basically, a COVID Period-based change in an employee’s physical work location will not change the employer’s South Carolina employment tax obligations – regardless of whether the employer’s usual report-to-work location is inside or outside of South Carolina. The apparent intention is for an employer to avoid having to register and/or withhold for a new state based simply upon COVID Period temporary work changes.
19 Womble Bond Dickinson Attorneys Recognized by NC Pro Bono Honor Society for Pro Bono Service
May 21 2020
Nineteen Womble Bond Dickinson attorneys have been recognized by the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center for their devotion to providing legal services to persons of limited means. The Pro Bono Honor Society honors North Carolina lawyers who provided at least 50 hours of pro bono service in 2019.
New OSHA Guidance for Recording COVID-19 Cases at Work
May 21 2020
On May 19, 2020, OSHA issued revised guidance for recording cases of COVID-19. Under OSHA’s earlier April guidance, most employers effectively were not required to record cases of COVID-19. The new guidance, effective May 26, 2020, modifies the recordkeeping rule to require employers to track COVID-19 cases under three conditions.
Cynthia Spieth Morton to Discuss Commercial Real Estate Issues in COVID-19 Environment at CREW Charleston Webinar
May 19 2020
As with virtually every industry, the COVID-19 crisis has had a tremendous impact on the commercial real estate sector. Womble Bond Dickinson attorney Cynthia Spieth Morton will take part in a CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Charleston roundtable on these challenges and what the commercial real estate industry can expect to see in the months to come.
In Memoriam: Allan Gitter
May 18 2020
Allan R. Gitter, a retired partner in Womble Bond Dickinson’s Winston-Salem office and one of North Carolina’s legendary trial lawyers, died peacefully on Sunday, May 17, 2020, at his home in Jefferson. He was 83. Allan was the lead attorney in over a thousand cases filed in state and federal courts in North Carolina between 1964 and 2009, many of which he tried to verdict, as well as the named counsel in 293 reported appellate cases during that time. In his last reported appellate case, Frink v. Batten, he was the senior attorney representing the sheriff of Columbus County, North Carolina, and prevailed on appeal in a case of first impression before the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He also was the lead attorney in numerous other significant cases in the areas of insurance defense and local government and law enforcement officers’ liability.
