Today, law firm Robinson+Cole LLP and the Connecticut Bar Association announced the launch of the Connecticut COVID-19 Small Business Virtual Legal Clinic, offering pro bono legal consultations for small business owners to help them navigate the COVID-19 economic crisis and ensuing relief programs. The Clinic is part of a nationwide program developed by the Lawyers for Good Government Foundation, a non-profit network of more than 125,000 legal advocates with lawyers in all 50 states.
Qualifying small businesses and nonprofits of 25 or fewer employees will be offered free 45-minute phone or virtual consultations with pro bono attorneys who can answer legal questions and help determine the best path forward for their companies. Consultations will include helping Connecticut small business owners understand the legislative language in the CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and answer any questions related to employment, contracts, commercial leases, insurance and insolvency issues.
LINK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS TO REGISTER: https://www.ctbar.org/home/coronavirus-response/covid-19-small-business-virtual-legal-clinic/for-small-businesses
Under phase three of stimulus relief legislation passed by Congress, an additional $320 billion has been provided to make new loans under the PPP, which provides forgivable loans to small business that keep employees on the payroll for eight weeks. The measure also includes $60 billion in loans and grants under a separate Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
“Providing pro bono service to our communities has been a cornerstone of our firm’s 175-year history,” said Stephen E. Goldman, Managing Partner of Robinson+Cole. “We are pleased to work with the Connecticut Bar Association and other participating law firms and in-house legal departments to help small businesses navigate the unique challenges they face during this unprecedented time.”
“The CBA is pleased to collaborate with Connecticut law firms, corporations and volunteer attorneys to respond to the immediate and increasing legal needs of small businesses arising from the Coronavirus pandemic by sponsoring the COVID-19 Small Business Virtual Legal Clinic,” said Keith Soressi, Executive Director of the CBA.
“Hundreds of thousands of small business owners and nonprofits, many of whom already operate on very narrow margins, are still struggling with questions about how their businesses will survive the COVID-19 pandemic. This small business and nonprofit legal clinic can help them navigate the economic crisis that was no fault of their own, and provide them with guidance they desperately need at this time,” said Lawyers for Good Government’s executive director Traci Feit Love.
