The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has updated its guidance related to return to work after COVID-19 related shutdowns or remote working. Some important updates from the EEOC are as follows:

• The EEO laws, including the ADA and Rehabilitation Act, continue to apply during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they do not interfere with or prevent employers from following the guidelines and suggestions made by the CDC or state/local public health authorities about steps employers should take regarding COVID-19. Employers should remember that guidance from public health authorities is likely to change as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. Therefore, employers should continue to follow the most current information on maintaining workplace safety.
• The EEOC has provided guidance (a publication entitled Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans With Disabilities Act [PDF version]), consistent with these workplace protections and rules, that can help employers implement strategies to navigate the impact of COVID-19 in the workplace. This pandemic publication, which was written during the prior H1N1 outbreak, is still relevant today and identifies established ADA and Rehabilitation Act principles to answer questions frequently asked about the workplace during a pandemic. It has been updated as of March 19, 2020 to address examples and information regarding COVID-19; the new 2020 information appears in bold and is marked with an asterisk.

Further information in regards to the guidance can be found on the EEOC’s website, by clicking HERE.

Our team at Goodman McGuffey is continuously monitoring the decisions of the courts and the CDC’s Guidelines to ensure the safety of our staff and clients across all offices and states.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. Stay safe and stay well.

Supreme Court of The United States: In a 6-3 decision, the first involving LGBT issues since Justice Kennedy retired, the Supreme Court has held that LGBT employees are protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  

The Decision can be accessed by clicking HERE.  

Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced that he will extend the Statewide Judicial Emergency for another month, until Sunday, July 12, 2020, but with
significant modifications.

All Georgia courts shall continue to operate under the restrictions set forth in that Order as extended. Under the new extension order, deadlines for jury trial proceedings (including statutory speedy trial demands), deadlines for grand jury proceedings, and deadlines calculated by reference to the date of a civil or criminal jury trial or grand jury proceeding shall remain suspended and tolled. All other deadlines imposed on litigants shall be reimposed effective as of July 14, 2020, as further explained within the Order which can be found HERE.

More information is available on the Supreme Court of Georgia’s Website.

You can access the Original Order, First Extension Order, and the Second Extension Order on our website.

Stay safe and well, everyone!

Governor Brian Kemp has issued a new executive order that goes into effect at 12 a.m. Tuesday, June 16 and lasts until 11:59 p.m. June 30, for the fight against COVID-19 within the state of GA. The executive order outlines the following:

Starting June 11, 2020:
•  Gatherings of more than 50 people in a single location are allowed if six feet of space is maintained between each person. (This rule does not apply to critical infrastructure entities, incidental or transitory groupings, or cohabiting individuals.)
•  In restaurants and dining rooms, there is no longer a party maximum for the number of people who can sit together. There is no longer a limit on the number of patrons allowed per square foot. Workers at restaurants, dining rooms, banquet facilities, private event facilities, and private reception venues are only required to wear face coverings when they are interacting with patrons. Additional guidelines and requirements on restaurants and private event facilities are available here.
•  In a bar, 50 people are now allowed (increased from 25) or 35% of total listed fire capacity – whichever is greater. Additional guidelines and requirements are available here.

Starting June 16, 2020:
•  At indoor movie theaters and cinemas, there is no longer a limit on the number of people who may sit together in a party. Additional guidelines and requirements are available here.
•  Walk-ins are now allowed at body art studios, barber shops, hair salons, their respective schools, massage therapy establishments, and tanning facilities subject to specific requirements. Additional guidelines and requirements are available here.

You can access more information about the most recent executive order HERE.

Our team here at Goodman McGuffey will continue to keep everyone updated on the ongoing changes due to COVID-19. We are continuously monitoring the decisions of the courts and the CDC’s Guidelines to ensure the safety of our clients and employees. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, which can be done by filling out the contact us form located under the Contact tab on our website. If your inquiry is urgent, please contact any of our offices directly.

In an important decision, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) declined jurisdiction over the Faculty of Religious schools.  In adopting the jurisdictional test from University of Great Falls v. NLRB, 278 F.3d 1335 (D.C. Cir. 2002), The Board declined to exercise jurisdiction over the faculty at an Institution of higher learning that:

Firstly, we want to take the time to thank everyone who donated or participated in the 2020 Georgia Legal Food Frenzy Competition. None of the success would be possible without your generous efforts and donations.

Goodman McGuffey LLP raised a total of $1,132.25, the equivalent of 4,529 meals for the Atlanta Community Food Bank!  4,529 meals, just incredible!!

Together, the 222 participating law firms and legal organizations across Georgia representing 17,138 employees raised a record-breaking $852,090 during the 9th Annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy. This is the equivalent of over 3.3 million meals for Georgia’s food banks and an incredible two-fold increase in donations from last year’s competition!

These numbers are staggering.  During a time of such uncertainty, it is incredible to see the legal community step up to help the local communities.  We are so very proud of the legal community, and immensely proud of all participants within our law firm. 

You can view the results press release here and watch Attorney General Carr’s results announcement video here.

THANK YOU ALL!

There will be additional future career opportunities to be updated and posted within the upcoming weeks, For now, please contact our Human Resources Coordinator, Treva Edwards, for any questions you may have.

TREVA EDWARDS – Human Resources Coordinator

Atlanta Office

404.926.4117

tedwards@gm-llp.com

Workers’ Compensation Paralegal

Charlotte, NC

Established, multi-state, AV rated, insurance defense litigation firm is seeking an experienced Worker’s Compensation Paralegal to handle growing needs in the Charlotte, North Carolina office. Goodman McGuffey LLP is a leading regional law firm with eight offices in FL, GA, NC & SC.

Responsibilities:

• Must be able to prepare discovery documents, legal pleadings and correspondence.
• Must be able to review and analyze medical records and other documents as required.
• Must be able to evaluate investigation materials and draft responses to written discovery.
• Must be able to schedule lay and expert witness meetings and depositions in standard as well as multi-party cases.
• Must be able to review and summarize depositions.
• Must become familiar with client guidelines for billable and non-billable activities.
• Must have experience recording time entries for all daily tasks, with knowledge and appropriate use of ABA task codes.
• Must have exceptional communication skills, and be comfortable communicating with clients, courts, witnesses, parties, etc.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years’ workers’ compensation experience.
• College degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
• Paralegal certificate (preferred)
• Must be organized and capable of handling multiple complex tasks simultaneously, and perform assignments with speed and accuracy, creating a professional work product.
• Must have advanced technology skills, including document and case management in paperless environment. Competitive salary and benefit package offered.

Competitive salary and benefit package offered.

Goodman McGuffey LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status of a veteran and basis of disability, or any other federal, state or other protected class.

Please submit your cover letter, resume and salary expectations.

Job Type: Full-time

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/cap/view/1862299146/?pathWildcard=1862299146&trk=mcm

Indeed: https://www.indeed.com/job/workers-compensation-paralegal-a2f36259ac0d3870

Litigation Paralegal

Charlotte, NC

Established, multi-state, AV rated, insurance defense litigation firm is seeking an experienced Litigation Paralegal to handle growing needs in the Charlotte, North Carolina office. Goodman McGuffey LLP is a leading regional law firm with eight offices in FL, GA, NC & SC.

Responsibilities:

• Must be able to prepare discovery documents, legal pleadings and correspondence.
• Must be able to review and analyze medical records and other documents as required.
• Must be able to evaluate investigation materials and draft responses to written discovery.
• Must be able to schedule lay and expert witness meetings and depositions in standard as well as multi-party cases.
• Must be able to review and summarize depositions.
• Must become familiar with client guidelines for billable and non-billable activities.
• Must have experience recording time entries for all daily tasks, with knowledge and appropriate use of ABA task codes.
• Must have exceptional communication skills, and be comfortable communicating with clients, courts, witnesses, parties, etc.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2-3 years’ litigation experience.
• College degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
• Paralegal certificate (preferred)
• Must be organized and capable of handling multiple complex tasks simultaneously, and perform assignments with speed and accuracy, creating a professional work product.
• Must have advanced technology skills, including document and case management in paperless environment.

Competitive salary and benefit package offered.

Goodman McGuffey LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status of a veteran and basis of disability, or any other federal, state or other protected class.

Please submit your cover letter, resume and salary expectations.

Job Type: Full-time

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/cap/view/1862299183/?pathWildcard=1862299183&trk=mcm

Indeed: https://www.indeed.com/job/litigation-paralegal-f28479ecd54fc013

Workers’ Compensation Associate Attorney

Orlando, FL

Established, multi-state, AV rated, insurance defense litigation firm seeks Workers’ Compensation Associate Attorney for the Orlando, FL office. Goodman McGuffey LLP is a leading regional law firm with eight offices in FL, GA, NC & SC.

Requirements: 

• Creativity
• Self-starting and independent thinking
• Professional and highly motivated
• Advanced technology skills for a paperless environment
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced challenging environment
• 0-2 years of litigation/insurance experience
• FL BAR license required
• A commitment to exceptional client service
• Top quality writing skills
• Strong academic credentials
• Desire to handle high exposure cases
• Commitment to jury trials and appeals
• Desire for hands on courtroom experience
• This is an exceptional fast track career opportunity for candidates seeking a high level of responsibility in a diverse and progressive law firm environment
• This is an exceptional fast track career opportunity for candidates seeking a high level of responsibility in a diverse and progressive law firm environment
• The ideal candidate must be able to handle caseload

The firm offers a salary and bonus package, competitive benefits and opportunity for advancement reflective of its challenging and complex case load.

As an EOE/AA employer, Goodman McGuffey LLP does not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, status of a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state or other protected class.

Please submit your cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and a writing sample in confidence.

Sarasota*Orlando*Atlanta*Savannah*Charlotte*Raleigh*Columbia*Charleston

Job Type: Full-time

• LinkedIn Job Posting: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/cap/view/1844696333/?pathWildcard=1844696333&trk=mcm
• Indeed Job Posting: https://www.indeed.com/job/workers-compensation-associate-attorney-ff27fdc9386061a9

There will be additional future career opportunities to be updated and posted within the upcoming weeks, For now, please contact our Human Resources Coordinator, Treva Edwards, for any questions you may have.

Goodman McGuffey recently gained a new Associate, Anna M. Waller, working out of the Atlanta, GA office. She is a part of the firm’s liability defense team and worked as an attorney for the State of Tennessee in Nashville, primarily in the areas of consumer protection, non-Medicaid false claims enforcement, nonprofit regulation and election law, prior to joining the firm.

Anna is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and is now licensed to practice in Georgia. Due to the extreme effects of COVID-19, telephonic swearing in is required to maintain social distancing. Anna was virtually sworn into the Georgia Bar from her home, here is a little sneak peak of the reality of law practice right now. Congrats Anna!