In October 2022, while serving as an ambassador of the OUT Georgia Business Alliance, Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP associate Charles E. Hicks came across some interesting data. A study indicated that, during the pandemic, LGBTQ-owned and -operated businesses were more likely to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and less likely to receive it than similar businesses.
Drawing upon exchanges with LGBTQ business owners, Hicks felt that this disparity was due to the lack of sophisticated representation. This realization drove Hicks to pitch the idea of establishing a practice group dedicated to serving LGBTQ-owned and -operated businesses, and in April, Morris Manning became the first Southern law firm to do so.
Read the full interview with Managing Partner Simon Malko, Partner Jessica Rodriguez, and Hicks with DC Bar here.
