A Force to Reckon With: Force Majeure in the Age of COVID-19

Natasha S. Chee and Jeffrey T. Thayer

Natasha S. Chee is the principal at the Law Offices of Natasha S. Chee. Her practice focuses on Entertainment, Intellectual Property, Business and Tech Law. She works with filmmakers, producers, talent, and video game companies. She graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law and UCLA. To learn more: www.natashachee.com.

Jeffrey T. Thayer is a Partner at Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP. His practice focuses on Complex Litigation, Automotive Liability, Intellectual Property and Business Law. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley School of Law (Berkeley Law) and UCLA. To learn more: www.hpylaw.com/attorneys-jeffrey-thayer.html.

Force majeure in French literally translates to "superior strength" and COVID-19 surely has flexed its muscles—completely disrupting our way of life, including commercial activity around the world. The effects and legal ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to be felt even long after a vaccine is developed. Arguments are already being made in various arenas that public health orders and similar measures are disrupting or preventing entirely the performance of material contractual obligations. As a result, many are pulling out their contracts to examine the potential impact of force majeure on those deals. Many attorneys are trying to navigate this new post-COVID-19 pandemic world of business deals, and the implications of force majeure are at the forefront of these discussions.