Posted in: Lawyers › None
March 23, 2020
See the latest information on our dedicated page at www.scbar.org/covid19.
South Carolina Bar Executive Director David M. Ross sent the follow message to all Bar members on March 17, 2020.
Like you, we at the South Carolina Bar are adjusting our lives and operations to the new realities of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
As a service to members, we have created a new webpage www.scbar.org/covid19 to share the latest updates on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the legal profession in our state. The page includes the latest orders and announcements from the South Carolina Supreme Court and other courts as well as updates on SC Bar operations and events. An overview is below.
SC Bar Operations Update
All scheduled section and committee meetings through April 17 have been adjusted to conference calls. Many SC Bar employees are now working remotely, and as of Wednesday, March 18 the main SC Bar Building and SC Bar Conference Center will be temporarily closed to visitors. We will continue to provide essential services, but please bear with us if it takes us a little longer than usual to answer your calls or email messages.
CLEs
All in-person CLEs scheduled through April have been cancelled. Chief Justice Donald Beatty issued an order on March 17, 2020, allowing lawyers who failed to comply with the 2019-2020 CLE requirements to earn all or any portion of the required 14 hours of CLE credit for the annual reporting year through online or telephonic programs.
Many of our live programs will be postponed to a later date, and we will communicate directly with those who are pre-registered regarding the new dates and registration/refund options. In the meantime, we offer more than 350 online on-demand programs ranging from 30 minutes to six hours covering all major practice areas, including ethics and substance abuse/mental health. To find a program visit our Shop CLE page and either filter by practice area, credit type, or search key words. Note, this week’s Seminars' email digest will not go out.
Effective immediately and until further notice, the CLE Division will not be accepting walk-in orders for publications. You may still order books online or call 803-771-0333, ext. 126. For questions, contact CLE Director Terry Burnett at tburnett@scbar.org or (803) 576-3780.
Resources
Our Practice Management Assistance Program (PMAP) has compiled a new page of helpful information on working during a pandemic covering everything from remote work policies and guidelines to tips and resources on virtual client services, security issues and virtual meeting tools. The site includes videos and links to free resources. If you have questions or need help with setting up remote working for your firm or other practice management questions, please contact our PMAP consultant Courtney Troutman at pmap@scbar.org.
Lawyers Helping Lawyers
Our Lawyers Helping Lawyers services will continue during this time to assist lawyers who are experiencing depression, anxiety, and/or substance use disorders. Our Lawyers Helping Lawyers team can help you decide the best options for treatment and healing. Reach Robert Turnbull at 803-603-3807 (cell) or rturnbull@scbar.org and Beth Padgett at (803) 240-6526 (cell) or bpadgett@scbar.org.
If you are struggling with increased stress and not sure where to turn, remember that every member of the SC Bar in good standing can access five free counseling sessions by calling 855-321-4384. Counselors are prepared for your calls and can provide sessions via tele-health if you prefer. These counselors do not consult with Lawyers Helping Lawyers staff, and no one at the Bar is provided names of lawyers who use this service. We strive to remove all barriers to you getting the help you need.
Please practice good self-care, watch out for your colleagues, and don't hesitate to call should you need support. All services provided by LHL are confidential.
South Carolina Bar Foundation
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the SC Bar Foundation is committed to providing you with continued help in answering IOLTA questions, assisting with donations, and providing information regarding the Foundation as needed. If you have to reach the Foundation for any reason whatsoever, please do not hesitate to contact executive director, Megan Seiner via email at mseiner@scbar.org or at (803) 576-3786. Thank you for all that you do to support the SC Bar Foundation. The Foundation is grateful for your continued generosity.
The SC Bar is here for our members, so please let us know if you have ideas on how we can better serve you during this crisis. Contact David M. Ross via email at dross@scbar.org.