BAR CENTER CLOSED AND STAFF WORKING REMOTELY THOUGH AT LEAST APRIL 3
Dear Members,
We are providing an additional update on the SDCBA’s response to the impact of COVID-19. We continue to prioritize the health and safety of our members and staff, while also playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus and protect our community as a whole.
Bar Center update. As previously announced, the SDCBA Bar Center will remain closed through at least April 3 and we continue to evaluate whether the closure will remain in place longer. During the closure, all SDCBA in-person events and meetings – both at the Bar Center and off-site – have been re-scheduled as webinars or conference calls, or postponed or canceled. Please check our calendar for details for specific events.
Court updates. We have developed a “California Courts Updates” resources page, which you can find from the SDCBA homepage. It is being updated with information we gather from state and federal courts across California. We also have been posting regular updates from our local courts on our homepage, in addition to our Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages.
Signature event updates. We have postponed two of our large signature events, and we hope you will save these future dates. (Assuming large gatherings are permitted and advisable at the rescheduled times.)
- The Annual Judicial Reception previously set for March 26 is now re-scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, 2020 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. and will be hosted at the SDCBA’s Bar Center downtown. We look forward to celebrating our newest judicial officers, and our entire legal community, at that special event.
- Our Annual Law Week Luncheon & Awards Ceremony, which previously was scheduled to coincide with Law Day on May 1, has been postponed. The new date is Wednesday, September 30, 2020, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at The U.S. Grant Hotel. We look forward to recognizing our service award winners and the student poster and video contest winners at that time.
For our North and Mid-County members, we also have a July 29 Summer Social on calendar for 5:30-7:30 p.m., and hope to host this special event in the Del Mar area.
Tech updates and assistance. To help our members navigate remote and mobile work environments, please take advantage of our Law + Tech resources page, which has Tip Sheets, How Tos, and video tutorials about leveraging technology to manage your law practice (and life!).
Also, on Tuesday, March 24, 12:00 p.m. our Member Technology Officer, Adriana Linares, will present a webinar on Tips, Tricks, Tools and Services for Working from Home. This webinar is free to SDCBA members, click here to register. We recognize that our members’ schedules are uncertain at this time, so you can register for the webinar right up to the last minute. Adriana also provides one-on-one technology and law practice management consulting free to SDCBA members – you can sign up for an appointment with Adriana here.
You also can always access our online catalog of previous substantive and topical MCLE, including the 2019 Law + Tech Summit, which addressed other technology and law practice management topics.
Staff and virtual office update. As we announced last week, our staff began working remotely effective Monday, March 16. Virtual staff office hours remain 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. We have enabled each department to seamlessly provide services remotely, ensuring the continuity of operations. We have received positive feedback from members about the assistance and availability of staff, and we want to encourage you — our valued members — to reach out if you need our team.
COVID-19 resources. For additional resources on this emerging situation and best practices to safeguard your health and that of others, the CDC has up-to-date information, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has helpful guidance for employers, locally, the County of San Diego has set up a new website: sandiegocounty.gov/coronavirus and the State of CA has a similar website at https://covid19.ca.gov.
Finally, a word of thanks to our members. We have seen a lot of traffic on our listservs showing members’ support for one another, providing timely information and resources, and generally bringing out the best in our legal community. Thank you for your support of each other, the SDCBA, and the community.
Please let us know if we can assist you during this time. Be well!
| Jill Epstein Executive Director | Johanna Schiavoni 2020 SDCBA President |