As governments around the world work to contain the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), the threat of business interruption has become real, throwing supply chains into disarray, dislocating workforces, and upending the global economy.

O’Melveny stands ready to help, with a Coronavirus Task Force helmed by O’Melveny partner and former Homeland Security Advisor to President Obama, Lisa O. Monaco, who helped lead the administration’s response to the Ebola crisis in 2014. Monaco also has been named to Vice President Biden’s Public Health Advisory Committee, charged with providing science-based, expert advice to reduce the threat of the coronavirus.

O’Melveny’s Coronavirus Task Force leverages the firm’s broad experience and extensive roster of high-ranking, battle-tested legal, business, and policy advisors to help clients navigate the unprecedented disruptions and legal questions associated with the coronavirus outbreak in the United States and around the world.

The new task force is composed of leading lawyers from a range of disciplines across O’Melveny:

  • Litigation: O’Melveny was recently named “Litigation Department of the Year” in both Washington, DC, and California, and Runner-Up nationally by American Lawyer Media;
  • Health Care, which helps hospitals, managed-care organizations, and other entities anticipate and resolve their most challenging legal issues;
  • Labor & Employment, which advises employers on federal and state requirements and workplace obligations;
  • Crisis Management, which counsels clients on legal issues related to high-profile, public controversies;
  • Restructuring, which guides clients through economic disruptions, working with companies, boards of directors, and investors to develop business solutions and mitigate impacts;
  • Data Security & Privacy, which helps clients address evolving regulations and practices around data collection, use, and protection;
  • Corporate Governance, which provides practical, boardroom-level counseling to public and private companies.

O’Melveny is uniquely positioned to help clients prepare for large-scale disruptions. The firm has deep experience managing crises and an acclaimed team that includes former high-ranking national security officials. With the wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary resources of a global firm, O’Melveny stands ready to guide clients as they confront the unprecedented challenges to come.

The following is a collection of insights for navigating the coronavirus outbreak. Our team continues to assess developments, and will add additional alerts and commentary in the days and weeks to come. Subscribe to receive updates here. 

Alerts 


PPP Loan Forgiveness: The SBA’s Application Form Includes New Guidance and Details
May 20, 2020

Retail Debtors “Pausing” Post-Petition Rent Obligations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 19, 2020

New Proposed Legislation in California Increases Antitrust Scrutiny in M&A and Other Activities in the Healthcare Industry
May 19, 2020

Keeping COVID-19 Charitable Giving Compliant: Taking Steps Now Can Avoid Legal Risk Later
May 18, 2020

Bankruptcy Courts Are Split on Whether a Chapter 11 Debtor Is Eligible for a PPP Loan Under the CARES Act
May 12, 2020

Protecting Your Brand in the Midst of a Pandemic
May 11, 2020

COVID-19 Antitrust M&A Considerations
May 7, 2020

Collusion in the Healthcare Industry: DOJ Charges Oncology Group for its Participation in a Criminal Antitrust Conspiracy
May 6, 2020

DOJ Reviewing PPP Loan Applications For Criminal Fraud, Finding “Red Flags”
May 4, 2020

Price Gouging Update — April 2020
April 30, 2020

Main Street Lending Program Expands Eligibility and Terms
April 30, 2020

President Issues Proclamation Limiting Immigrant Travel to the United States
April 28, 2020

Gun-Jumping Concerns for Pending Transactions When There Is No Such Thing as “Ordinary Course of Business”
April 27, 2020

US$484 Billion in New Funds for CARES Act Small Business Loans and Health Care Programs
April 24, 2020

The Failing Firm Merger Defense in Times of Economic Turmoil: Past Lessons and the COVID-19 Crisis
April 23, 2020

Antitrust Agencies Watch for Labor Market Collusion in the Healthcare Industry
April 20, 2020

New York City Bar Podcast: Postponed Events, Cancelled Trips, Disrupted Business – Insurance and Coronavirus Collide
April 20, 2020

Environmental Remediation and Enforcement – COVID-19 Policy Updates
April 17, 2020

Federal Agencies Issue New COVID-19 Medicare Advantage Notices and Policy Updates
April 16, 2020

California Attorney General Reinforces Need for CCPA Compliance
April 15, 2020

DOJ and FTC on Alert for Anticompetitive Conduct in Labor Markets for COVID-19 Essential Workers
April 15, 2020

California Attorney General Reinforces Need for CCPA Compliance SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
April 14, 2020

Nationwide Shortages Open New Frontiers in Fight Against COVID-19-Related Price Gouging
April 14, 2020

FEMA Temporarily Bans Exports of Scarce or Threatened Personal Protective Equipment
April 13, 2020

President Trump Issues Executive Order Creating Telecommunications Assessment Committee
April 10, 2020

NYSE Temporarily Waives Certain Shareholder Approval Requirements in Response to COVID-19
April 9, 2020

Federal Reserve Announces Two Main Street Lending Programs as Part of Stimulus Efforts
April 9, 2020

Door Opens to Non-Traditional SBA Lenders’ Participation in SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program
April 9, 2020

China Adopts Antitrust Enforcement Policy to Fight COVID-19 and Spur Economic Recovery
April 8, 2020

The 2020 Economic Crisis: A Historical Perspective on Global Economic Distress and the Unique Impact the COVID-19 Crisis Will Have on US Restructurings
April 8, 2020

CARES Act Enforcement Risks
April 7, 2020

CARES Act: Direct Loans to Non-Investment Grade Businesses and Federal Reserve Liquidity Facilities
April 3, 2020

Antitrust Implications of the President’s Invocation of the Defense Production Act
April 2, 2020

Steps and Measures for Lenders During COVID-19 Part I: Lender Liability
April 1, 2020

Department of Health and Human Services Triggers Price Gouging and Hoarding Provisions of Defense Production Act
April 1, 2020

Managing COVID-19 Privacy Issues—A Checklist for Mitigating Legal Risk
March 31, 2020

COVID-19: Unemployment Assistance for Gig Workers and Independent Contractors
March 31, 2020

COVID-19: Stimulus to Provide Unprecedented Government Assistance to US Businesses
March 30, 2020

EPA Relaxes Environmental Compliance Requirements in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
March 30, 2020

Hong Kong Competition Commission Issues Statement on the Application of the Competition Rules to Cooperation Agreements Between Companies Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 30, 2020

Department of Labor Publishes Guidance Explaining Emergency FMLA and Paid Sick Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
March 30, 2020

SBA Affiliation Rules: Funding for Venture-Backed Companies Under the CARES Act
March 29, 2020

Fiduciary Duties in Sponsor-Owned Companies: COVID-19
March 26, 2020

Initial Impressions of the Business Tax Measures in the Phase III Coronavirus (COVID-19) Legislation
March 26, 2020

Competitor Collaborations and Communications in Time of Crisis: Practical Guidance
March 26, 2020

Practical Considerations for Directors: COVID-19
March 25, 2020

SEC Extends Filing Relief and Provides Disclosure Guidance in Response to COVID-19
March 25, 2020

Antitrust Agencies Provide Guidance for Competitor Collaborations in Healthcare Sector as COVID-19 Outbreak Deepens
March 25, 2020

European Antitrust in the Time of COVID-19
March 25, 2020

Conducting Emergency Layoffs, Furloughs, and Salary Reductions in California as a Result of the Impact of COVID-19
March 24, 2020

Flexibility of EU State Aid Rules in Response to COVID-19 Impact
March 23, 2020

President Trump Invokes the Defense Production Act
March 20, 2020

Antitrust Enforcers to be Active Monitoring Marketplace Activity Related to COVID-19
March 20, 2020

Companies Should Consider Adopting Net Operating Loss Rights Plans in the Wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to Protect Net Operating Losses
March 20, 2020

Families First Coronavirus Response Act Is Signed Into Law, Providing Paid Family and Sick Leave for Many Affected Employees
March 19, 2020

Navigating “Shelter-in-Place” Orders Issued by Local Public Health Authorities
March 18, 2020

Temporary Merger Control Measures in the EU, US, and China in Response to COVID-19
March 18, 2020

Podcast: Former Homeland Security Advisor Lisa Monaco on How Companies Can Manage the Coronavirus Crisis
March 16, 2020

Data Security and Privacy Considerations During the COVID-19 Response
March 16, 2020

COVID-19 Restrictions on Travelers from Europe
March 14, 2020

Real World Advice on How Companies Can Manage the Coronavirus Crisis
March 13, 2020

Responding to the Coronavirus Crisis: Key Considerations
March 13, 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Coming Insurance Claims
March 12, 2020

Possible Impact of a Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic on Contractual Obligations
March 6, 2020
Guidance for Employers Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 5, 2020
China Competition & Trade Review: Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on M&A Activity and Regulations
March 3, 2020
Guidance Regarding Certain Employment Matters Amid Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak 
February 18, 2020

Commentary & Analysis from Lisa Monaco 


Foreign Affairs: Pandemic Disease Is a Threat to National Security
March 3, 2020

The Lawfare Podcast: Monaco and Yan on Coronavirus
February 22, 2020

Lawfare: The Coronavirus Shows Why the US Must Make Pandemic Disease a National Security Priority
February 7, 2020
Additional Commentary 


Law360: 5 Types Of Suits Employers Are Bracing For Post-Pandemic
April 29, 2020
Daily Journal: Lawmakers Propose Moratorium on ‘Risky’ Mergers
April 29, 2020
Sports Business Journal Daily: Venues May Need Renovations To Adhere To Social Distancing Rules
April 27, 2020
The Deal: Restructuring Insider: Reexamining State Bankruptcy
April 27, 2020
Law.com: Trump Watch: COVID-19 Is Letting Trump Judges Speak Up on Abortion
April 24, 2020
Arkansas Times: ACLU Back in Court on Abortion Ban; Says Six Women Will Lose Access Under 8th Circuit Ruling
April 23, 2020
Law360: O’Melveny Helps Reunite Family Amid COVID-19 Fears
April 19, 2020
Law360: 5 New COVID-19 Abortion Developments You Should Know
April 14, 2020
Sky News: Virus Pandemic Lockdown
April 14, 2020
CFO.com: The Restructuring Remedy
April 9, 2020
Daily Journal: ‘Meeting the moment’: O’Melveny resuscitates hospitals
April 8, 2020
ABA Journal: Law Firms Aid Coronavirus Fight
April 3, 2020
Law360: Coronavirus Q&A- O’Melveny’s Health Practice Chair
April 3, 2020
Communications Daily: Attorneys Dismiss Calls for FTC to Scrutinize COVID-19 Privacy
April 1, 2020
Voice of America: US$2.2T Coronavirus Relief Package Poses Fraud Threat, Experts Warn
March 31, 2020
The Pink Sheet: Biopharma COVID-19 Collaborations May Avoid Antitrust Hurdles, FTC And DOJ Suggest
March 30, 2020
Offthepitch.com: M&A Activity in Football Largely on Hold Due to Coronavirus, But Advisors Believe Long-Term Outlook Remains Bright
March 23, 2020
HRO Today: Coronavirus Knowledge Portal
March 13, 2020
TheStreet.com: Coronavirus Fears Could Put a Chill on Tech IPOs
March 6, 2020
Bloomberg News: Virus Threatens to Unleash Lawsuits Against Global Business
March 4, 2020