In Grant v. Rancour, 2020 IL App (2d) 190802 (June 12, 2020), the Second District Appellate Court in Illinois approved the trial court’s order requiring the defendant to produce her automobile insurer’s documents related to controlled expert witnesses previously retained by that insurer in unrelated cases.

On June 24, 2020, we provided updated information on the Paycheck Protection Program and the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP), which continues to evolve before its upcoming launch. Since then, the Federal Reserve (FRB) has revised its frequently asked questions document further to provide more direction to lenders and borrowers who want to take advantage of the MSLP.

The CARES Act created two major loan programs, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Main Street Lending Program. This update provides an overview of current developments involving these programs. Borrowers should continue to closely monitor the changing requirements for these programs, which can have important implications for borrower eligibility and maximization of benefits, and seek expert counsel as needed.

On June 4, 2020, the Kansas legislature passed House Bill No. 2016, creating the COVID-19 Response and Reopening for Business Liability Protection Act. Under this Act, many Kansas businesses are “immune from liability in a civil action for a COVID-19 claim if such person was acting pursuant to and in substantial compliance with public health directives applicable to the activity giving rise to the cause of action when the cause of action accrued.” 

In Jarboe v. Hanlees Auto Group, et al, California’s First District Court of Appeal recently handed employees two lifelines in their battle against being compelled to arbitrate employment disputes.

At the start of 2020, a new statute went into effect in California requiring insurers, under certain circumstances, to take steps to determine if a claimant is in arrears on a child support obligation.

On June 15, 2020, the United States Supreme Court held that Title VII, the federal employment law that prohibits discrimination “because of sex,” bars discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation and transgender status. This alert discusses the landmark 6-3 decision, background on the cases involved, and what employers should consider going forward.

Last month, the Missouri legislature passed Senate Bill 591 (SB 591), making important changes to the state’s punitive damages laws, civil procedure, improper healthcare laws, and its consumer protection statute, the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA). Part II of this two-part alert discusses the effects of the bill on the MMPA and actions based on improper healthcare.