Leech Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl, LLC (Leech Tishman) is pleased to announce the launch of the firm’s Hospitality, Restaurant, and Bar Industry Resource Center for COVID-19 legal services.
The Resource Center will offer restaurant, bar, and hospitality industry clients that have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with information and tools to navigate complex state and local mandates that have severely affected the way they do business as well as information on other pandemic-related legal issues. Leech Tishman’s new Resource Center seeks to assist companies across this industry to address financial losses, get back to business, and protect the health and safety of their customers and employees.
Leech Tishman and the Caputo Law Office are currently representing a large consortium of establishments, including restaurants, bars, and other liquor licensees, that are concerned about recent Orders in Allegheny County, PA which have placed strict restrictions on restaurant operations. Over the course of three weeks, the county has released three different orders: the initial order banned on-site alcohol consumption; this order was later replaced by a second order mandating the closure of all restaurants; a third order was then released on July 8, putting restrictions on restaurant operations. The current restrictions include a limit to dine-in services at outdoor seating only, a maximum amount of three drinks per customer, and closing restaurants by 11:00 p.m.
“These issues are not unique to Allegheny County,” said Michael H. Sampson, partner at Leech Tishman in the firm’s Insurance Coverage and Litigation Practice Groups. “We’re seeing similar restrictions across the country, as states and local governments try to address health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our firm’s Resource Center is meant to act as a tool for restaurants nationwide, so that they can be fully informed about state and local regulations, instances of legal push-back, and other options for establishments to address their financial concerns.”
“We understand the very significant health concerns, but this is also putting extreme economic pressure on businesses, which have now had to be closed for several months,” added Sampson. “The situation is extraordinarily fluid; the regulations change often, sometimes daily. And we want to be able to support businesses in this industry, so that they are prepared to operate efficiently and in compliance with health and safety guidelines.”
Sampson continued, “These businesses have to spend time, money, and resources to plan for a proper reopening, which includes calling employees back and utilizing adequate safety measures. This Resource Center can be a part of that planning process, so they know the current state and local guidelines, and have timely information available to them.”
