Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary, P.C.

Law360 interviewed Scopelitis Partner Mike Langford regarding Scopelitis' Indiana Supreme Court victory on behalf of US Xpress.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral argument in the California Trucking Association’s challenge to AB5, California’s recently enacted misclassification statute. While the Firm is hopeful the Ninth Circuit will leave the injunction in place and fully supports the CTA and feels its request for continued funding is very much warranted, read more about some issues that raised concern during  the oral argument. 

In this issue:
 • Key Cases Addressing the Reach of California’s Strict Wage and Hour Laws
 • COVID-19 and Workplace Liability
 • Plaintiffs Unmask Reimbursement Claims for Personal Protective Equipment
 • PPP and Beyond: Where Can I Turn For Additional Help?
 • Department of Labor Activity
 • Circuit Courts Grapple with the “Transportation Worker” Exemption
 • Spotlight on Cargo Claim & Freight Charge Practice — Managing the Expected & Unexpected in the COVID-19 Era
 • Scopelitis For the Record
 • Dispatches: Transportation Industry News & Trends from Scopelitis

Scopelitis recently announced the addition of four new attorneys in its Milwaukee office. The four bring extensive experience in transportation law – one in accident litigation, and the others in workers’ compensation defense – to the national transportation law firm.  

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit held that last-mile drivers who do not cross state lines are nonetheless interstate “transportation workers” exempt from the FAA so long as they transport goods or people within the “flow of interstate commerce.” The First Circuit’s opinion is the first circuit-level holding on this issue. Read the latest.

Scopelitis Partner Braden Core in Law360 regarding the New Jersey Supreme Court's reinforced employers' arbitration agreements under Garden State law.

FMCSA announced an extension of its Modified Emergency Declaration through August 14, 2020, allowing motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the COVID-19 emergency relief efforts to continue operating under the exemptions set forth in the declaration through that date.

On a certified question from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the California Supreme Court decided a pair of cases that will certainly impact California wage and hour class actions against motor carriers. Read more about what that means for the transportation industry.

The Senate, by unanimous consent, approved the bill passed by the House last week that provides significant changes to the Paycheck Protection Program Loan landscape. The President is expected to sign the bill. The legislation provides borrowers greater flexibility with respect to the PPP loan forgiveness process. Read more.

Scopelitis has assembled a COVID-19 task force that is analyzing late-breaking international, national, and state developments on this issue as they impact the transportation industry. Learn more.

Scopelitis insight on the SBA and Treasury's Interim Final Rule (IFR) providing guidance for the calculation of PPP borrower loan forgiveness.

The latest regarding the scope of the Safe Harbor and the PPP loan program.

The FMCSA announced an extension of its Emergency Declaration through June 14, 2020, allowing motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the COVID-19 emergency relief efforts to continue operating under the exemptions set forth in the declaration through that date.

The editorial advisory board will provide feedback on Law360's coverage and insight on how best to shape future coverage of the industry.

Scopelitis President & Managing Partner Greg Feary in FreightWaves on fuel surcharges.

The Scopelitis COVID-19 Resource Page offers a COVID-19 Transportation Industry FAQ and other materials to aid transportation clients in managing their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact the Scopelitis COVID-19 Task Force for information on costs associated with tailoring these materials (if needed), or if you require assistance including but not limited these resources. 

Pursuant to Section 2102 of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) enacted March 27, 2020, individuals not otherwise eligible to receive any state unemployment compensation benefits or extended federal benefits, including self-employed persons and independent contractors (ICs), may qualify for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) funded by the federal government. Read more about what this means for the transportation industry. 

FMCSA has extended its Expanded Emergency Declaration through May 15, 2020, allowing motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the COVID-19 emergency relief efforts to continue operating under the exemptions set forth in the declaration through that date. Read more about the expanded declarations list and other key points regarding this news. 

Scopelitis President & Managing Partner Greg Feary in Transport Topics regarding the latest development on California AB 5.

Scopelitis President and Managing Partner Greg Feary in FreightWaves on the coronavirus pandemic's effect on the debate regarding how AB 5 legislation applies to the transportation and logistics industry.