News Update: March 30, 2020

Monday business news roundup: Publix steps up, courts go remote, GCs face pay cuts and more. 

Publix Steps Up: The Lakeland-based grocer says it will waive two months rent to businesses that rent space in the shopping centers it owns throughout the Southeast. The Business Journal reports that this could bring relief for hundreds if not thousands of small businesses throughout the Southeast.

Federal Courts Go Remote: South Florida federal courts have waived in-person appearances by criminal defendants – if they agree. U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore issued he order on Saturday. It covers all hearings from initial hearings to sentencing. Video or phone hearings are now an option for the first time, the Daily Business Review reports.

GC Pay Cuts: The top lawyers for major corporations are seeing their pay cut – along with other senior staff – as coronavirus destroys company revenues, Bloomberg Law reports.

Oil Industry Chaos: As demand for crude oil plummets, the Houston Chronicle reports that pipeline operators might soon seek legal protection to stop oil companies from shipping to their pipelines – which might force oil companies to shut down oil wells. 

We hope you enjoy this quick news summary. If there are other kinds of content you’d find useful in this daily post, drop us a line: [email protected].