Will my attorney be able to assist me during the COVID-19 event? by Heidi Adair
As I write this article, our world is in the midst of navigating through the implications of the coronavirus. Many clients are wondering if they will be able to get the legal assistance that they need. This event has caused me to think back to how technology has changed over my law career. When I began my law career in 1994, I didn’t have a computer on my desk. We had one computer in our library for computerized legal research, but needed permission to do a search for fear of the search cost. And I remember how excited my husband was to get a “bag phone”; a phone that you kept in a bag in your car.
Today, I have a computer that goes home with me that allows me to access all of my work files from my kitchen table. My email forwards all of my voicemails to me so that calls can be returned promptly. I have a cellphone that can move with me anywhere so that I can speak with and, even see, clients from a distance if that is necessary. We have virtually unlimited access to computerized legal research and document preparation technology. And as we speak, our state lawmakers are working to come up with answers to the questions of how to get documents signed when face-to-face meetings are not an option.
So, the answer to the above question is yes, your attorney will be able to help in your time of need. Things may look a little different than what all of us are used to. But the work will get done.
