Jackson Walker Fast Takes

Schools across the country are announcing their reopening plans. For some, this means students will physically return to the classroom; for others, it means online classes or a hybrid operation. For working parents, what the schools decide may determine whether they need to take leave from work if their children remain at home. Jackson Walker Labor & Employment attorney Judy Garner walks throu...

While many undergraduates across the U.S. aspire to have a career in the legal profession, the path to law school requires more than a good transcript and desire. Navigating the law school admission process, preparing for the LSAT, and handling the workload of law school classes can be daunting—especially for first-generation, low-income, and minority students. Designed to help members of underrep...

Many of us have a basic understanding of U.S. bankruptcy filings under chapters 7, 11, and 13, but we may not know very much about chapter 15. Jackson Walker Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery attorneys Kristhy Peguero and Jennifer Wertz discuss chapter 15's cross-border insolvency and its invocation of the jurisdiction of the U.S. bankruptcy court to assist in the administration of foreign...

While heightened restrictions on employment visas are not new, the COVID-19 pandemic and high unemployment numbers have led the U.S. to increase the limitations placed on a number of visas that businesses commonly use to fill their employment needs. Jackson Walker Investment Immigration attorney Sang Shin returns to provide a Fast Take on what the April 22nd and June 22nd restrictions on H-1B, L-1...

While the deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan has passed, an August 8th extension is en route to President Trump for his signature. Since the program's implementation in April, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has paid out $520 billion in loans to nearly 4.9 million self-employed individuals and businesses. Jackson Walker Finance & Banking partners Lindsey Ber...

With the recent spike in COVID-19 infection rates and increases in hospital occupancy across Texas, Governor Greg Abbott and local officials issued a number of restrictions on businesses and citizens in an attempt to slow the spread. Jackson Walker attorneys Brad Nitschke and Amanda Crouch give an update on a few of the critical issues affecting Texas citizens and businesses, including Governor Ab...

With the rate of COVID-19 infections increasing in Texas, states including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are imposing travel restrictions which may affect business travel in and out of Texas. Jackson Walker Labor & Employment attorney Judy Garner discusses a few issues that Texas business leaders should consider before sending employees on out-of-state business trips. For more informat...

On June 15, 2020, in a 6-3 opinion , the U.S. Supreme Court held that firing an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII’s prohibition against sex discrimination. Jackson Walker Labor & Employment partner Gary Fowler discusses this landmark ruling, what it means for both employers and LGBTQ+ employees, and gives three practical implications employers should consider to...

As governments begin lifting more and more restrictions to restart the economy, the issue of eviction orders is on the minds of both landlords and tenants. Nearly one month after residential eviction proceedings were allowed to resume across Texas, Jackson Walker governmental affairs consultant Kate Goodrich discusses where we are regarding eviction-related orders and what issues we should be conc...

With the current economic crisis and high unemployment numbers, the H-1B visa seems like an easy target for those looking for ways to improve unemployment within the U.S. Jackson Walker senior counsel Sang Shin discusses the H-1B visa’s role in our economy, and what issues employers who use this visa should consider right now. For more information and additional JW Fast Take podcasts and webinars,...

A longstanding and ongoing commitment to the community is an important part of Jackson Walker’s culture. While known for his legal work in the oil and gas industry, Dallas partner John Holden 's passion for working with Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is another example of how we are putting that commitment into action. Uniquely suited for the COVID-19 pandemic, Fossil Rim is open for business and cont...

As the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis force businesses to shutter for months, more creditors are suddenly finding their contracts have changed as debtors restructure their debt or file for bankruptcy. Jennifer Wertz , a partner in Jackson Walker's Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery practice, discusses what creditors should consider right now before a bankruptcy case is filed, whether...

As the economy continues to struggle, many businesses will find they need to restructure debt with their creditors or file for bankruptcy. Liz Freeman , a partner in Jackson Walker's Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery practice, lists three things for struggling business owners to consider right now. 1) "Cash is King." Maintaining liquidity is important for a business to continue operations...

As a result of plunging oil prices, unstable markets have led to an uptick in litigation. Reagan Marble discusses what that means for contracting parties in the oil and gas industry as they get creative in enforcing and invalidating contracts to protect their individual positions. For more information and additional JW Fast Take podcasts and webinars, visit JW.com/Fast . Follow Jackson Walker LLP...

A longstanding and ongoing commitment to the community is an important part of Jackson Walker’s culture. Houston partner Jamila Brinson 's work with the Houston Bar Association (HBA) AIDS Outreach Committee is one example. Jamila's prior experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in St. Lucia inspired her to work with the HBA committee. Now, she leverages her position with JW to ask other firms and loc...

While Jackson Walker's primary mission is to provide excellent legal service and counsel to our clients, we pride ourselves on our involvement in our local communities. Dallas partner Jonathan Neerman shares his pro bono work helping families navigate the issues involved in international adoption processes. Having went through the adoption process over 14 years ago with his family, Jonathan has he...

The Texas Medical Board issued emergency rules earlier this month for physicians who come in contact with patients in their facilities. For hospitals, this includes keeping 15% of their capacity for COVID-19 patients. Doctor's offices are required to post a sign in their offices stating that they would be following the four rules set forth in the Board's order. Jackson Walker Healthcare chair Virg...

As Texas begins the second phase of Governor Abbott's plan to reopen the state's economy, employers need to understand and prepare for the ramifications of bringing employees back to the workplace. Jackson Walker Labor & Employment partner Scott Fiddler breaks down five key considerations to think about as employers plan for reopening: 1) Prepare a company taskforce 2) Prepare your process (pl...

Jackson Walker's contribution to the communities in which we live and work goes far beyond just legal counsel. In our Austin office, partner Tim Taylor works with the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) to provide access to affordable healthcare for Austin’s low-income working musicians – with a focus on prevention and wellness. With the cancellation of SXSW and the social distancing rules...

May 1, 2020, marked the beginning of Governor Greg Abbott's plan to reopen the Texas economy. Jackson Walker government relations and public policy partner Denise Rose discusses what Phase 1 of Abbott's plan means for the Texas business community. She discusses the limitations placed on these businesses, as well as which businesses are included within the Governor's plan, Texans Helping Texans: Th...

Jackson Walker partner Gordon Shapiro is an experienced litigator who specializes in business litigation. In his nearly 40 years at the Firm, he has seen many ups and downs in Texas financial institutions, and he's litigated through unexpected events that completely disrupt the economy—known in the industry as Black Swan events.  One such event that parallels the COVID-19 pandemic of today is...

There is a lot of confusion about what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to do during this pandemic. Jackson Walker partner Jon Mark Hogg explains that while COVID-19 is considered a recordable illness, OSHA wants employers to focus on prioritizing good hygiene and preventative practices in the workplace rather than trying to figure out if an employee’s CO...

Courts in Texas are still functioning and are successfully implementing technologies like Zoom and YouTube to help keep the courts open and available to the public. Jackson Walker partner Luke Gilman talks about how Texas courts use Zoom and other technologies to help keep court personnel, lawyers, litigants, and the public safe, and keep the wheels of justice moving. For more information and addi...

While many of us are sheltering in place, the world of mergers and acquisitions marches on. Jackson Walker partner Natalie Kosydar discusses four points that those currently involved in M&A deals should think about right now.  1) How the timing and deal flow are important to both the buyers and the targets. 2) Due diligence considerations. 3) Reps & Warranties Insurance issues. 4) Mat...

There has been a steady rise in the use and popularity of telemedicine services over the past few years, but with social distancing and shelter-in-place rules, these services have become a vital resource within the medical industry. Jackson Walker Healthcare Chair Virginia Mimmack discusses the updates in policies on the federal and state level allowing telemedicine practices to expand and the eff...