Jackson Walker Fast Takes

With President Biden signing the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill into law, Texas is set to receive an estimated $35.4 billion to improve infrastructure. Litigation associate Amanda Crouch and governmental affairs consultant Kate Goodrich walk through a number of projects listed in the plan and discuss how improvements for Texas roads, highways, bridges, broadband, ports, and more are allocated in the law. In addition, there is also money set aside to winterize the Texas energy grid to help prevent future reoccurrences of the major outages from the February freeze earlier this year.

For additional JW Fast Takes podcasts and webinars, visit JW.com/Fast. Follow Jackson Walker LLP on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The music is by Eve Searls.

This podcast is made available by Jackson Walker for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and is not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. Your use of this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.

As of Monday, November 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its requirements for air travelers to the United States. CDC’s new travel policy follows President Biden’s proclamation intended to promote safer global travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jackson Walker immigration attorney Sang Shin discusses some of the changes in policy and what U.S. citizens, as well as immigrants and non-immigrant travelers, need to know before traveling to the United States through air travel or by land or ferry crossing.

For additional information, view Sang's article "CDC Lifts Certain Region-Based Restrictions for Flights to the US" published on the Jackson Walker website.

For additional JW Fast Takes podcasts and webinars, visit JW.com/Fast. Follow Jackson Walker LLP on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The music is by Eve Searls.

This podcast is made available by Jackson Walker for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and is not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. Your use of this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.

The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee has approved a proposal to increase certain taxes by $2.1 trillion to offset the House Democrats’ $3.5 trillion government spending plan. With a long way to go and a number of possible changes to be made along the way, Jackson Walker tax attorneys Ron Kerridge, Argyrios Saccopoulos, Nate Smithson, and Ashley Withers have divvied up the proposal and provided an overview of some of the key proposals for income tax hikes.

For additional JW Fast Takes podcasts and webinars, visit JW.com/Fast. Follow Jackson Walker LLP on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The music is by Eve Searls.

This podcast is made available by Jackson Walker for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and is not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. Your use of this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.

With billions of dollars distributed over the past 18 months through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, there was plenty of opportunity for fraudulent activity. Jackson Walker litigation partner Arthur Gollwitzer discusses how the U.S. Department of Justice has made the intersection between COVID relief and fraud—particularly healthcare fraud—one of their absolute highest priorities.

While there are examples of obvious fraud, even legitimate businesses may trigger investigations if they are not familiar with the complex and changing rules and regulations surrounding COVID relief funds. Should a business or individual be approached by the authorities, Art advises seeking legal counsel before speaking with a federal agent.

For questions about investigations related to COVID relief and fraud, please contact Arthur Gollwitzer or any member of Jackson Walker’s White Collar Defense & Government Enforcement team. For specific assistance or more information concerning PPP loans, please contact John Wittenberg or Lindsey Berwick. Additional information on the CARES Act, the PPP, and other COVID-19 stimulus may be found at JW.com/Coronavirus.

For additional JW Fast Takes podcasts and webinars, visit JW.com/Fast. Follow Jackson Walker LLP on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The music is by Eve Searls.

This podcast is made available by Jackson Walker for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and is not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. Your use of this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.

The Texas Supreme Court recently ruled that there are limits on when attorneys are protected by the judicial proceedings privilege or by attorney immunity. Following the Court's decision in Landry's Inc. et al. v. Animal Legal Defense Fund et al., Bob Latham and Paul Watler discuss the ruling and when an attorney's statement to the press, social media, or other public statements – even if conducted on behalf of a client – falls outside the protection of the immunity privilege.

Related Insights: Court's Expansion of Attorney Immunity Could Change How Texas Lawyers Practice »

For additional JW Fast Takes podcasts and webinars, visit JW.com/Fast. Follow Jackson Walker LLP on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The music is by Eve Searls.

This podcast is made available by Jackson Walker for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and is not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. Your use of this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.

With three Texas bills set to take effect on September 1, 2021, that will expand and redefine sexual harassment, Jackson Walker attorney Michelle Mishoe Miller highlights the future impact of each upcoming law on the workplace.

Related Insights: Changes on the Horizon: Major Revisions to Texas Sexual Harassment Laws »

For additional JW Fast Takes podcasts and webinars, visit JW.com/Fast. Follow Jackson Walker LLP on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The music is by Eve Searls.

This podcast is made available by Jackson Walker for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and is not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. Your use of this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.

For questions on how the new sexual harassment laws affect you and your business, please contact Michelle Miller at [email protected], or any member of the Jackson Walker Labor & Employment team.

While many thought the 87th Texas Legislature would be limited in scope to COVID-related needs, the end results were much more expansive. Government Relations & Public Policy attorneys Denise Rose and Kate Goodrich cover some of the key bills that passed and failed, the state budget, and the role Jackson Walker's Legislative team played during the recent legislative session.

Related—Texas Legislative Updates:

Legislative Update on Pandemic-Related Bills Sent to Governor Abbott »

Texas Legislative Update on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-Related Bills »

Legislative Update: Impact of New “Constitutional Carry” Law on Commercial Landlords »

For additional JW Fast Takes podcasts and webinars, visit JW.com/Fast. Follow Jackson Walker LLP on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The music is by Eve Searls.

This podcast is made available by Jackson Walker for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and is not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. Your use of this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.

Following a recent decision by a federal court in Houston to dismiss a lawsuit filed against Houston Methodist Hospital System over requiring all employees wishing to return to work to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Jackson Walker partner Lionel M. Schooler joined to discuss the ruling and its impact on employers.

Related Insights: Employer’s Right to Require Coronavirus Vaccination as Condition of Returning to Work »

For additional JW Fast Takes podcasts and webinars, visit JW.com/Fast. Follow Jackson Walker LLP on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The music is by Eve Searls.

This podcast is made available by Jackson Walker for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and is not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. Your use of this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.

Texas businesses watched the 2021 Texas legislative session closely for the potential pandemic liability relief provided in Senate Bill 6 (SB 6), or the Pandemic Liability Protection Act. With the passage of SB 6, Jackson Walker litigation partner Brad Nitschke discusses the three primary effects of the bill in the areas of pandemic liability exposure, the protections of healthcare providers during a pandemic, and the additional products liability protections for manufacturers and distributors during a pandemic emergency. There are a few caveats to note about the liability test, but the bill overall will make suing Texas businesses for pandemic-related injury or death claims more difficult.

Related:

Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order Prohibiting Government Entities and Officials From Mandating Face Coverings or Restricting Activities Due to COVID-19 »

For additional JW Fast Takes podcasts and webinars, visit JW.com/Fast. Follow Jackson Walker LLP on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The music is by Eve Searls.

This podcast is made available by Jackson Walker for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and is not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. Your use of this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.

On Thursday, May 13th , CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky stated that fully vaccinated people in the U.S. can resume activities, both inside and outside, without having to socially distance or wear a mask. Before returning to pre-pandemic behavior in the workplace, Jackson Walker Labor & Employment attorneys Gary Fowler, Sara Harris, and Brooke Willard discuss some key issues for employees and employers to consider.

Related:

For additional JW Fast Takes podcasts and webinars, visit JW.com/Fast. Follow Jackson Walker LLP on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The music is by Eve Searls.

This podcast is made available by Jackson Walker for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and is not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. Your use of this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.