Enews: July 2020 (Volume 16, Issue 7)

In this Issue…

– COVID-19 Updates
– Information from the Supreme Court of Georgia
– State Bar Soliciting Applications for Executive Director
– Help Identify Legal Services Delivery Issues Associated with COVID-19
– Georgia Small Business/Nonprofit COVID-19 Remote Pro Bono Clinic
– In-Person CLE Requirement Extended: View Available ICLE Webcasts
– Professionalism and the Georgia Court Reopening Guide
– Free Fastcase Research Offered Through the State Bar
– Wellness Corner

July 31, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATES

At this time, the State Bar of Georgia’s offices will remain closed until further notice. Although our offices are closed, all of our staff are telecommuting, and they will remain available to assist you when needed, understanding of course, there may be slight delays in providing that assistance. We will continue to update this page [ www.gabar.org ] with important information from the Bar and from our courts, as well as helpful resources for our members and the public.

INFORMATION FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF GEORGIA

Visit the Supreme Court of Georgia’s website [ www.gasupreme.us ] for its information regarding COVID-19, including issued orders, notices and other announcements.

STATE BAR SOLICITING APPLICATIONS FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The State Bar is soliciting applications for the position of Executive Director.

The Executive Director, based in Atlanta, is responsible for managing and executing the operations of the State Bar of Georgia and its offices, and implementing the policies, programs and objectives set by the Board of Governors. The position encompasses the management of a large staff as well as supervision of large budgets and responsibility for financial matters. The complete job description is available here [ www.gabar.org ] .

HELP IDENTIFY LEGAL SERVICES DELIVERY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19

The State Bar of Georgia has established a special committee to help identify issues related to the delivery of legal services during the public health emergency associated with the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Visit the website [ www.gabar.org ] and use the online form [ form.jotform.com ] to identify legal service delivery issues that you have become aware of in relation to COVID-19.

GEORGIA SMALL BUSINESS/NONPROFIT COVID-19 REMOTE PRO BONO CLINIC

The Georgia Small Business/Nonprofit COVID-19 Pro Bono Clinic is an opportunity for Georgia small businesses with fewer than 25 employees as well as 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations who have suffered adversely from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis to receive free legal advice during a 45-minute remote consultation with a volunteer attorney. For more information and to request an appointment, visit the website [ www.gabar.org ] .

IN-PERSON CLE REQUIREMENT WAIVER EXTENDED | VIEW AVAILABLE ICLE WEBCASTS

Due to the fluid situation surrounding COVID-19 and the ability to safely provide in-person CLE learning opportunities at this time, the Supreme Court of Georgia has extended the order temporarily waiving the 6-hour in-person CLE requirement through March 31, 2021. View the order here [ www.gasupreme.us ] .

While we are continuing to practice social distancing and looking for ways to fulfill CLE requirements, visit the website [ www.gabar.org ] for a list of available ICLE webcasts on topics that you would normally see at our summer institutes and programs. This list will continue to be updated as we move forward.

PROFESSIONALISM AND THE GEORGIA COURT REOPENING GUIDE

Join the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism for a free virtual CLE, “Professionalism and the Georgia Court Reopening Guide,” on Friday, Aug. 7, from 2-4 p.m. Using the Georgia Court Reopening Guide drafted by the Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts COVID-19 task force, the CLE will explore professionalism issues as Georgia courts slowly reopen and begin to address more non-essential business. Two hours of CLE credit have been applied for in Georgia only, including including one hour of general and one hour of professionalism.

This free event requires pre-registration by Aug. 4 at 4 p.m., or until the Commission reaches capacity. For more information and to register, visit the website [ professionalism-and-gacourts-reopening.eventbrite.com ] .

FREE FASTCASE RESEARCH OFFERED THROUGH THE STATE BAR

Free online legal research is available to all Bar members. Learn how to effectively use and navigate Fastcase. In-person sessions are currently cancelled, but you may still sign up for a webinar hosted by Fastcase. Visit the website [ www.fastcase.com ] for more information.

WELLNESS CORNER

Since the “Benefits of Counseling [ digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com ] ” article appeared in the June issue of the Georgia Bar Journal , the Attorney Wellness Committee has received a lot of positive feedback from veterans and young lawyers alike, and even a few spouses of lawyers. Most of the feedback has been gratitude that the conversation about mental health and the legal profession is being held publicly. So let’s keep the conversation going.

The Wellness Committee is challenging every member of the Bar to #UseYour6 pre-paid counseling sessions [ www.gabar.org ] and share with us your experience of taking the step to focus on your mental well-being. By helping yourself and sharing your experience, you can help us all de-stigmatize the conversation about mental health. You can call 800-327-9631 to schedule your sessions 24/7, 365 days a year.

State Bar of Georgia
104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303-2743
Phone – 404-527-8700 Fax – 404-527-8717