Posts from 2020

Morris James Recognizes the annual Great American Smokeout

Morris James is proud to be working alongside our client the American Heart Association and partners like the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network on evidence-based policy solutions that will curb the epidemic of tobacco and electronic cigarette use and addiction among our youth. Smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world. One in four Delaware high school students have used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. In fact, youth e-cigarette use has skyrocketed to what the FDA have called “epidemic” levels. E-cigarette use among U.S. high school students jumped by 135 percent over the last two years alone. Smoking causes an estimated 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1 in 5 deaths.  More ›

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After the Election a Step to the Left for the 151st General Assembly, and A Foot in the DC Door

On Saturday, November 7, Delaware’s Frawley Stadium in Wilmington became the most famous parking lot in the world as President-Elect Joe Biden delivered his victory speech, together with Vice-President-Elect, Kamala Harris. The Delaware Democratic Party faithful waived flags, honked horns and posted numerous photos of themselves from CNN on social media. The First State and the Nation’s Capital will become more connected than even Acela could make it until now. However, Democrats were also celebrating state-house wins, though not every seat under contention flipped blue, much like the national picture. So here is a roundup of things to watch for and expect based on where we are today. More ›

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Morris James LLP Offers Businesses Assistance with COVID-19 Grants from Delaware Division of Small Business

Small businesses and non-profits in Delaware that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for up to $100,000 as part of the Delaware Relief Grant program offered through the Division of Small Business. The funds are derived from the federal CARES Act. The first round of applications opens on September 8^th with additional rounds opening in October and November. A copy of your business or non-profit’s 2019 tax return, receipts for qualifying expenses, and a Delaware Business License are needed to get started. More information can be found at www.delbiz.com/relief. More ›

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Tobacco-Free Kids to Hold Youth Leadership Awards Ceremony

Is Delaware Poised to Further Curb Youth Smoking?

According to the High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted every two years by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of Delaware high school students who smoke is higher than the national average. With Governor Carney taking action in April 2019 by signing Senate Bill 25, Delaware continues to take the right steps toward tobacco prevention. The First State now prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. More ›

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Delaware General Assembly Acts to Extend Telehealth Availability as the COVID Crisis Continues

Like other states, in order to help Delawareans maintain access to critical medical services, the First State’s COVID-19 related emergency declaration and subsequent modifications embraced telehealth. Governor Carney’s Declaration of a State of Emergency, and accompanying modifications (2, 8, and 10) throughout the months of March and April expanded telehealth services in unprecedented ways, removing barriers such as the requirement that a first visit to a physician providing telehealth services take place in person. Now, the General Assembly has stepped in with House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 348, signed by the Governor on July 17, 2020, which will not expire until July 1, 2021. More ›

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Morris James Donates to Beebe Medical Foundation's COVID-19 Relief Fund

Morris James donated $5,000 to Beebe Medical Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, which helps cover medical equipment, supplies, and costs directly associated with patient care to support healthcare professionals on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On April 21, 2020, Keith Donovan, Managing Partner at Morris James, presented the check to Dr. David Tam, President and CEO of of Beebe Healthcare and Tom Protack, President of Beebe Medical Foundation. More ›

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Delaware General Assembly Announces Plans to Reconvene Legislative Session

On Thursday, May 14^th the Delaware General Assembly announced plans to virtually reconvene. Leveraging a Delaware Constitutional amendment made in 2018 allowing for sessions to take place in alternative locations during an emergency, the sessions will be broadcast via YouTube, which will be posted on the General Assembly’s website.

The first virtual session will be broadcast on Tuesday, May 26^th in which the House will pass the concurrent resolution to remove any impediments to conducting a virtual meeting. The Senate will convene virtually on Wednesday, May 27^th to pass the same House concurrent resolution and consider several gubernatorial nominations. The Joint Finance Committee hearing dates will be announced at a future date. *

Additional virtual sessions will be announced in the coming weeks, allowing the General Assembly to meet its Constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget by June 30^th.  Leadership has also signaled there may be special sessions in the fall.  More ›

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Chancery Denies Preliminary Injunction Against Nurse Practitioner Based Upon Overbroad Restrictive Covenants

FP UC Holdings, LLC v. Hamilton, C.A. No. 2019-1029-JRS (Del. Ch. Mar. 27, 2020).

A party seeking a preliminary injunction must demonstrate a likelihood of success at trial. In a breach of non-compete action, this burden may not be met when economically unjustified restrictive provisions are “too broad as they would essentially prevent Defendant from operating … anywhere in the United States.” More ›

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Morris James LLP Partners with NAMI Delaware for Virtual Walk

On May 30, NAMIWalks will be a virtual experience where participants get to walk a 5K through their neighborhood, around the backyard, on a treadmill. Anything meaningful and fun to celebrate the virtual walk day is acceptable. Morris James will have a virtual walk team to continue our long-time support of NAMI Delaware. Anyone who would like to get involved in this worthy cause can find more information by clicking here, and friends of the firm are welcome to join our walk team! Please contact team captain Edward McNally at 302.888.6880 for more information.

NAMI Delaware is the largest provider of housing for those with persistent and serious mental illness in the State of Delaware. NAMI supports and advocates for Delaware families who must navigate the mental health system, all at no cost to its clients. NAMI also provides Crisis Intervention Training to law enforcement agencies, helping them to help those in crisis and our veterans in need.

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Morris James Raises $10,000 for Food Bank of Delaware

We are proud to announce that through our employee matching program, Morris James LLP has raised $10,000 for the Food Bank of Delaware. More ›

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COVID-19 Tax Relief Update: Newly Issued IRS Notice Includes Rare Retroactive Relief

Released by the IRS on the eve of Good Friday/2nd day of Passover, the retroactively effective relief under IRS Notice 2020-23 had an immediate and direct effect on many clients. More ›

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Vaping and COVID-19: Tobacco Free Kids Urges Closure of Vaping Shops and Long Term Solutions

As the nation sees the devastating respiratory impacts of COVID-19 on the population, Morris James LLP government relations client Tobacco Free Kids, makes the connection between flattening the curve and keeping vaping shops closed as non-essential businesses in this op ed appearing in the Denver Post. Over the long-term, Delaware’s policy-makers will need to examine whether vaping exacerbated lung injuries during the crisis and consider stronger measures to keep kids from vaping, such as removing flavored tobacco products from the market. If your organization has upcoming legislative or policy priorities in this challenging environment, contact the Government Relations Group at Morris James LLP.  More ›

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Delaware Healthcare Businesses Note: Small Business Administration Releases Details of COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program

Details regarding the SBA’s program just became available. Delaware’s doctors and other healthcare related businesses are struggling as elective procedures and non-essential appointments get cancelled, so some of the key features may be very attractive:  More ›

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What do Delaware’s Latest Orders Responding to the COVID-19 Outbreak Mean to the Healthcare Industry and Patients?

Delaware Governor John Carney issued two modifications to his State of Emergency declaration on March 22, 2020. Starting Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Delawareans must stay at home whenever possible and all non-essential businesses in Delaware must close. The new set of orders is intended to fight the spread of COVID-19 in the state, which had 56 confirmed cases at the time the orders issued. More ›

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COVID-19 Tax Relief Update: Extension to Pay

On March 13, 2020, the President issued an emergency declaration under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This notice instructed the Treasury Department to provide relief from certain payment deadlines to those adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, pursuant to Internal Revenue Code 7508A(a). This Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the IRS issued Notice 2020-17, outlining the terms of this relief: More ›

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