Brian and Daniel talk about what the Coronavirus is doing to law practice and how attorneys can adapt during this unusual time.

Coronavirus impact on law practice

FROM CLIENTS
fear for their businesses and jobs
also a desire to keep things going to at least be prepared

FOR HIS LAW FIRM
Got on it early
Started noticing problems three weeks ago since his family had been to Europe in mid-February,
noticed people in public areas wearing masks, and then
saw the tech companies sending people home in early March, and Harvard moved online early as well.
So they have been working remotely for over a week, and had plans in place to do so two+ weeks ago
Reassure attorneys and staff
You have to adapt quickly
They already had the platform in place to work remotely as just a way to do business, so that made it much easier to transition
He had listened to a new attorney right out of law school who said he should go to the cloud for everything
Went with Clio which specifically works with smaller law firms
Has an IT firm that he trusts; they came in in early March to make sure everyone was setup
For those in areas who are vulnerable to hurricanes, basically a necessity since they can force you out of your office

COURTS/LOCAL BAR
Harris County first with pushing back cases and hearings, conducting urgent hearings remotely
Bexar County followed soon
Texas Supreme Court order: gave 30 additional days to deadlines
Most counsel have been agreeable to postponements and remote alternatives
Largest concern is for the health/safety of all involved
He has a virtual mediation on the calendar next week, and other pretrial activities scheduled as well
Though recognition that some people want to do depos in person only, and will have to reschedule those

ADVICE FOR LAWYERS DURING THIS TIME
Communication
Has a call with his team leads every morning at 8am
Those leaders will then go do calls with their team
Then has a call with his financial team
Then a call with his operations lead
Calls with clients
Then with paralegals/staff as well - they are as much or more concerned with what's going on as anyone
Routine
Office hours remain 9am-6pm
All calls forwarded automatically to off-site receptionist
Keep lunch hour (or whatever you normally do)
Take care of physical well-being; don't let this interrupt your exercise routine
Mental Health
Continue any meditations/quiet times/yoga, etc.
Continue therapy sessions
Pay attention to it

WHEN HE HIRES ASSOCIATES
#1 thing he looks at is writing samples since communication with the court and then the client is important
Highlight most important issue(s) for the court
Be able to simplify legal process and terms for the client so that a non-attorney can understand
Also important to be able to communicate with a jury, which is not how you would write for a court
He is looking for people who fit into his firm's culture
good writer
good teammate to the other 20 people on staff
not set up to hire "individuals" that aren't interested in working with others/on a team
community involvement, which can reflect a willingness to help others and ability to be on a team
need generalists (within litigation/trial); not a specialist in hearings, depos, appeals, etc. Need to be willing/able to do it all.
Multiple leaders/staff will be involved in the interview process to help identify the right people
References are important, so be sure to line up people who you've worked with and have credibility who can speak honestly to your work product and approach

RAPID FIRE Qs:
Most important trait/characteristics in associate: good writing
Key habit: not burning bridges...you'll run into everyone again at some point
App/productivity tool: Clio, Expensify, time tracker
Favorite Corona activity: creating a daily soccer game for the kids
Favorite legal movie: The Firm