Request for COVID-19 Related Articles
The Rhode Island Bar Journal editors are interested in possibly putting together a special electronic-only version of the Bar Journal with articles dedicated to COVID-19 law-related issues and information. We are especially interested in Rhode Island-specific informative articles. If any Bar members are interested in writing and submitting such articles with very little lead time, please email Kathleen Bridge at kbridge@ribar.com by Wednesday, April 8, 2020 with your idea.
COVID-19 Probate & Municipal Court Operations
We are excited to announce that Bar Association staff have organized a chart of probate and municipal court operations information during the pandemic. To access the chart, click here or visit our website at ribar.com by clicking on FOR ATTORNEYS on the home page menu and then clicking on COVID-19 PROBATE & MUNICIPAL COURT OPERATIONS on the dropdown menu. We will regularly update the chart on our website as we receive updated information.
CLE Corner
Although we are not hosting any in-person CLE programs, you can still earn live CLE credits by attending a live webcast, and you can earn up to 6.0 credits by viewing on-demand courses. Below are just some of the webcasts we’re offering in April. With all the live CLE programming options, members can earn up to 10.0 general credits, of which 5.0 are in ethics.
The Law of Service Animals
Thursday, April 9, 2020
12:45 – 1:45 p.m., 1.0 credit
COVID-19 – Employment Law Update
Friday, April 10, 2020
11:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1.0 credit
Service-Connected VA Benefits: Legacy Appeals and the New Appellate Process
Friday, April 17, 2020
9:00 – 11:00 a.m., 2.0 credits
To view all our live webcast offerings, visit the CLE Calendar. To view all our on-demand programs, visit the on-demand catalog. New programs are added weekly, so be sure to check back often!
UPDATE - Rhode Island Bar Association Annual Meeting
We at the Bar Association are aware that many of you are wondering if the 2020 Annual Meeting will go forward as scheduled for June 18th and 19th. At this time, we are still considering our options.
We will notify all Bar members if there are any developments.
Change in Support Hours
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Casemaker's customer support hours will be temporarily changing to better support staff working from home.
Casemaker Support will be open from 9am to 5pm EST Monday-Friday. They are available by phone (877.659.0801), email (support@casemakerlegal.com) and live chat during those hours.
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Pro Bono Corner
Thank you to all members of the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) for your support and willingness to provide much needed initial consultations by telephone. There continues to be many in need of legal advice during this difficult time that necessitates physical distancing. The staff is working remotely from home to facilitate these referrals that are such an important resource for the public.
If you are not a member of the Lawyer Referral Service but would be interested in joining now, we are offering a FREE 6 month introductory membership. The regular annual membership fee is $100.00. The applications may be found by clicking here or in the Members Only section on our website. Please contact Caitlin Poland, cpoland@ribar.com or Elisa King, eking@ribar.com for an application or any questions you may have. The LRS makes over 8,000 referrals a year to attorneys located statewide!
We would also like to thank the members of the pro bono programs for your ongoing commitment to our low-income Rhode Islanders who would not have representation without you. We appreciate your willingness to continue to accept matters that are pending. Your compassion is amazing.
If you are not a member of the Volunteer Lawyer Program, Pro Bono Program for the Elderly or US Armed Forces Legal Services Project and are interested in knowing more please contact Susan Fontaine, sfontaine@ribar.com. We need you!
Thank you all again for your dedication to public service.
As a reminder, a Constant Contact email urging the public service program members to limit non- essential contact and consider providing initial consultations by telephone rather than in the office for their health and safety and those of others was sent on March 17th.
5 Tips to Make Working From Home Work For You
At first, working from home might seem like a dream: no commute, no distracting co-workers and think of all those chores you'll be able to sneak in! But after the novelty wears off, things get real. It can be lonely and there's no real end to your workday. Here are five tips to help you stay well-balanced.
Take a Break: Let's be honest: You don't work eight hours straight in the office. There are coffee breaks, lunch walks and chats with co-workers that give some respite from work. Just because you are working from home doesn't mean you aren't entitled to the same breathers. Stepping away for breaks are part of productivity; they actually make you smarter and give you perspective and answers.
Get Structured: Be thoughtful about where you choose to work in your new environment, but don't feel like you have to limit yourself to one spot in your house. Make sure to preserve some spaces in your home that you never do work in. It is very hard to relax at night when you start to associate those spaces with work.
Repurpose your Commute: A major perk of working from home is ditching the commute. But that doesn't mean your workday can start earlier. Use your commute time in the morning for self-renewal or family time.
Set a Schedule: Working from home doesn't mean you are working more hours. Set a clear scheduled and stick to it! When your workday ends, put away your work equipment and change into your evening or lounge clothes to help signal the shift to personal time.
Stay Social: Social interaction can still happen from home -- you just have to be more proactive. Set up regular check-ins with your team, that allows you to not only provide progress updates, but also sort through any problems or brainstorm ideas. When possible, use video over the standard conference call to help create more interactions and avoid loneliness.
Technology Tip
The continued spread of the coronavirus, and extension of social distancing rules, means that everyone, including lawyers, is flocking to web conferencing like never before. That has, however, exposed the issue of security on web conferencing software, including the popular product, Zoom. Of course, there are ways you can better secure Zoom, including by using the paid version; and, there are other choices, too, including those with additional security options.
This tech tip is brought to you by the Bar Association’s Law Practice Management Consultant, Jared Correia, of Red Cave Law Firm Consulting. If you need help with billing, client relations, data management, financial management, marketing, office technology, time management, disaster prevention & recovery, or any other area related to managing your practice, Red Cave Law Firm Consulting will provide Rhode Island Bar Association members with unlimited virtual consulting services (email, telephone, chat, video) FREE OF CHARGE. To get started, visit the Bar’s LPM page here, or just email Jared directly at jared@redcavelegal.com.
Make Sure Nonexempt Employees Do Not Perform Work Off the Clock
Employers should implement a policy that requires employees to track time.
There are new challenges for employers in not having direct oversight of employees working from home, many for the first time. Employers must therefore take action to ensure that nonexempt employees are not performing work off the clock and not working overtime without authorization.
Employers must count as hours worked the time employees perform work, even at home, if the employer knows or has reason believe that the work is being performed. Therefore, if an hourly, nonexempt employee is sending work emails to his or her supervisor while off the clock, the employer may be charged with knowing the employee performed work for which he or she was not compensated.
This tip was brought to you by Aon Attorneys’ Advantage, the Bar’s recommended professional liability insurance provider for members. Through a combination of Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. offices and a network of Independent Territorial Administrators, the AON Attorneys' Advantage program is able to provide broad coverage, competitive rates outstanding local service and risk management service. To learn more about the benefits and features of the program visit the AON website at www.attorneys-advantage.com.
Disaster Preparedness Resources from Coastline EAP
In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Coastline EAP has created a section on their website dedicated to disaster preparedness resources. In this special resource section, you can learn about coronavirus, find resources related to the current spread of the illness, and discover the steps you should take to prepare your family for the daily living challenges that may arise as the virus spreads to your local community. From caring for children in isolation and adjusting to remote work from home, to how to find remote employment and properly seek medical attention to treat the illness, these resources will help you take charge of your situation.
To view Coastline EAP’s disaster preparedness resources, please click here and enter RIBAR as the company username.
Coastline EAP is a private, non-profit consulting service contracted by the Association to assist you at no charge. The professionals at Coastline EAP provide confidential consultation for a wide range of personal concerns. If you are in need of assistance, you can contact Coastline EAP and identify yourself as a Rhode Island Bar Association member seeking help. To contact Coastline EAP please call 1-800-445-1195. Even though most of our interactions with others at this time are being conducted virtually, there is always someone happy to listen and assist you.