Legal News

This first known decision interpreting the statute clarifies the consequences of an Owner’s failure to properly reject applications for payment. A recent first-of-its-kind ruling from the Massachusetts Superior Court provides a critical lesson for project owners and contractors concerning the Massachusetts Prompt Payment Act (the “Prompt Pay Act”)....By: Murtha Cullina

The Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) created under the CARES Act has provided much needed economic relief to businesses and other organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, until recently, PPP borrowers with outstanding PPP loans were unsure about how their loan eligibility and ability to obtain loan forgiveness might be impacted by transactions such as equity interest sales, mergers, reorganizations, redemptions and assets sales....By: Murtha Cullina

On May 18, 2020, as part of their Reopening Massachusetts Plan, Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito announced that all construction in Massachusetts can proceed effective immediately. However, in order to proceed with a project the contractor must...By: Murtha Cullina

Pursuant to its update issued March 31, 2020, the Commonwealth has revised the “COVID-19 Essential Services” list significantly reducing the types of construction activities that will be permitted during the shutdown period. In essence, the order...By: Murtha Cullina

Governor Baker’s office issued a guidance letter on March 25, 2020 in an attempt to resolve confusion in the Commonwealth concerning whether construction activities are essential services and may continue amid the shut-down of non-essential...By: Murtha Cullina

The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic continues to dominate worldwide news cycles, and will likely do so for the foreseeable future. Parties to business transactions might be left wondering how the coronavirus and resulting uncertainty could...By: Murtha Cullina

Covid-19’s impact on the economy is still in the early stages. You no doubt have been making plans about how to protect your workers, and how to handle the possibility of increased absenteeism among your workforce....By: Murtha Cullina

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) eliminated the 50% deduction for any expenses related to business entertainment, amusement or recreation activities. On February 21, 2020, the IRS issued proposed regulations that address the elimination of...By: Murtha Cullina

The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (the “Act”), enacted on December 20, 2019, significantly changed many retirement and other employee benefit plan rules.  The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (the...By: Murtha Cullina

On January 6, 2020, Governor Ned Lamont signed bipartisan legislation addressing rates of pay for restaurant workers. The Governor vetoed a previous version of the bill which would have applied retroactively and effectively ended the viability of...By: Murtha Cullina