The Fortis Law Partners Q3 2020 Newsletter provides insights on the latest news and how it impacts you, from tips on eliminating bias in the workplace to COVID-19 resources. Read on to learn more about recent important legal developments and other firm news below.
CLIENT ALERTS
Respecting Transgender Rights in the Workplace: Guidelines from Associate Lenora Plimpton
The Supreme Court’s 6–3 opinion in favor of gay and transgender rights was national news. However, here in Colorado, it has been illegal to discriminate on the basis of transgender status, sexual orientation or “perception thereof” since 2008. Although transgender rights have entered the national spotlight in recent years, culminating in this landmark decision, confusion about anti-discrimination legal compliance still remains. Associate Attorney Lenora Plimpton provides helpful guidelines for the workplace on Medium.com. Read more at this link.
Can Employers Regulate Employee Conduct Outside of Work? Commentary by Associate Liz Hartsel
On May 25, a white woman falsely reported to police that an African American man was threatening her life in New York City’s Central Park after a dispute over leashing her dog. The woman worked for Franklin Templeton, a global investment fund, and was subsequently fired for being racist. Associate Attorney Liz Hartsel lays out when an employer can terminate an employee for off-duty conduct that does not comply with the company culture on the Fortis blog at this link.
National Association of Cannabis Businesses Security Standards: Managing Partner Julie Herzog’s Perspective on Why Standards More Important Than Ever
During the COVID-19 pandemic, most state governments declared medical cannabis an essential service. Now, as governments begin to allow more nonessential businesses to reopen, every business owner —cannabis or otherwise—faces the uphill battle of keeping their employees and customers safe. Read Managing Partner Julie Herzog’s take on why the NACB security standards are particularly relevant on the Fortis blog.
Fortis COVID-19 Resource Blog
We understand that the current situation has no parallel and businesses are facing some of the most difficult times since the Great Depression. We have continued to update a separate page on our website devoted to providing clients with important information regarding COVID-19 and the legal and business implications that follow. Please bookmark the above page and check back regularly for up-to-date information that may affect your business.
FORTIS CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: el Camino Community Tavern & Local 46 Bar & Biergarten
When Governor Polis issued a stay-at-home order for Coloradans in March, the sale of all liquor, beer, and wine, as well as the sale of food from restaurants, was restricted to carry-out, drive-through, and delivery only, effectively shuttering the doors of many local establishments. Fortis clients and local entrepreneurs Grant and Niya Gingerich, who are behind both Highlands Square’s el Camino Community Tavern and Berkeley’s beloved Local 46 Bar & Biergarten, lost up to 90% of their revenue stream due to these policies. Read about their creative and resilient efforts to maintain revenue and continue to pay their valued staff in this quarter’s client spotlight on the Fortis blog.
Full Velocity Consulting in Full Swing
FVC was co-founded by Fortis Law Partners owners and brings together the leading minds in C-Suite services, business structure, compliance, finance and more to provide guidance on some of the most complicated and dynamic aspects of running a successful company. For insights on the financial and operational benefits of outsourcing C-suite services, visit the FVC website.
ACCOLADES
Super Lawyers 2020
Fortis Law Managing Partners Julie Herzog and Henry Baskerville have been recognized as 2020 Colorado Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers honors outstanding attorneys from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Every year, no more than 5% of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this prestigious designation. Read more on the Fortis blog.
CORPORATE DEALS
In Q2 of 2020 Fortis Law Partners facilitated the following corporate deals:
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Advised e-commerce retailer on restructuring and formation of joint ventures resulting in more than $15 million in sales for the quarter.
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Advised hand sanitizer manufacturer on the global expansion of its operations, acquisition of a new business and donations of product to various nonprofits.
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Represented a manufacturing client in a long-term commercial agreement worth more than $20 million.
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Represented a manufacturing client in a $3.5 million debt financing.
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Advised operator of an online cattle brokerage in its acquisition of a competitor.
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Obtained registration of five trademarks, including for clients in the cannabis space.
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Advised our client on the formation of its real estate investment fund.
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Represented various clients in the renegotiation of leases and other commercial contracts in light of COVID-19.
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Advised a client in the sale of its liquor license.
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Assisted clients with implementing equity incentive and phantom equity plans and appropriate agreements with employees to protect trade secrets.
Learn more about the many industries that Fortis Law Partners lawyers can provide expertise on here.
FORTIS IN THE NEWS
Medium (June 25)
Christine Amrheim dives into software-as-a-service (SaaS) business models.
Denver Business Journal (June 12)
Alyson Jaen provides insights in: Colorado cannabis companies emerge from coronavirus shutdown with new retail tools — and the same obstacles
MG Retailer (May 28)
Julie Herzog discusses coronavirus and capital concerns within the cannabis industry.
MJBulls Deadhead Cannabis Podcast (May 25)
0052: Henry Baskerville | Fortis Law Partners | Phish Stories
Green Entrepreneur (May 20)
Henry Baskerville on how COVID-19 is affecting litigation in the cannabis industry.
Colorado Sun (May 14)
Read Andrew Comer’s take on recent loan programs here: Federal coronavirus loans slow as Colorado businesses wonder if they’ll actually be forgiven
Cannabis Business Executive (May 12)
Julie Herzog provides her take on the COVID-19 crisis in the following article titled, COVID-19 & The Cannabis Industry: Ten Industry Leaders Share How Their Companies are Dealing With The Crisis
Chain Store Age (May 7)
Chris Lamb discusses tips for protecting retailers from legal risks of COVID-19.
Authority Magazine (April 17)
Female Disruptors: How Julie Herzog Is Shaking Up the Legal Industry
Colorado Sun (April 17)
Andrew Comer sheds light on loan programs here: Small businesses in Colorado’s high country say the federal coronavirus stimulus has left them empty-handed
Benzinga (April 16)
Julie Herzog talks about the future of M&A here: With M&A Plans On Hold, Cannabis Advisers Keep Busy With Strategic Coronavirus Response
Wall Street Journal (April 7)
Read insights on unemployment benefits from Chris Lamb in the following article: Companies Cite New Government Benefits in Cutting Workers
Denver Post (April 2)
Chris Lamb explains the difference between a furlough and a layoff.
Denver Business Journal (April 1)
Chris Lamb discusses how HR can prepare for continued employee remote work.
CPO Magazine (March 30)
Andrew Neiman discusses cybersecurity and what companies can do to secure sensitive data while employees are working from home.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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