Paul, Weiss Launches Online Coronavirus Relief Center to Help Those Impacted Financially by Pandemic

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP announced today the launch of its Coronavirus Relief Center (https://www.paulweiss.com/practices/transactional/coronavirus-covid-19-relief-center/), an online portal that will support the millions of Americans and small businesses facing financial devastation due to the economic dislocation caused by the pandemic. 

Hundreds of Paul, Weiss lawyers have logged thousands of hours pro bono over the past 10 days collecting, digesting, organizing and synthesizing hundreds of emergency relief programs made available by federal, state and local governments and the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. The resulting new website includes a repository of relief programs searchable by jurisdiction, explanations of eligibility requirements, guidance for accessing benefits, direct links and contact information for those responsible for administering the relief programs, and other resources.

In announcing the initiative, Paul, Weiss Chairman Brad S. Karp declared the firm’s commitment to join with the broader legal and business community to work to provide relief and assistance to those devastated by this national and global crisis. In response to the launch of the Coronavirus Relief Center, numerous law firms, corporate leaders, in-house counsel, not-for-profit organizations and Fortune 500 corporations have reached out to Paul, Weiss about collaborating on the effort to help those most impacted by the pandemic.

“In this time of fear and isolation, it is imperative that the legal profession fulfill its professional obligation to help the most vulnerable members of our society, especially as the impacts of this pandemic will be felt most acutely by those least able to endure financial hardship,” said Mr. Karp. “We are fortunate to have the resources to help those who will be unable to navigate the voluminous new relief programs, sort through complex criteria and ultimately secure the emergency financial relief they need.”

The hundreds of programs covered by the new website provide a range of emergency relief, including opportunities for out-of-work employees to receive enhanced unemployment benefits; provisions enabling certain employees to take sick leave, family leave and avail themselves of other forms of relief for missing work; opportunities for qualifying families to receive emergency cash assistance; opportunities for small businesses to secure grants to cover payroll costs, to apply for zero-interest loans to mitigate lost profits and to receive loans to fund working capital costs; among many other forms of relief. 

The web portal will be updated daily to reflect changes to existing programs and to identify new programs, as they become available.