Our Firm’s Response to COVID-19
We are open and working hard for our clients… from our homes. You can call, text, video conference (Zoom, Skype, GoToMeeting, FaceTime) email, send a letter, or fax us, just as before. There is no interruption in our services.
Like other areas in our country, Georgia citizens are encouraged to Stay Home. As a law firm, we could be working in the office, but we feel the more responsible course is to work from home during this time. As good and caring neighbors, we wanted to take a stand with every other small business who has moved to remote work for the safety of staff, clients, their families, court reporters, opposing counsel, witnesses, and all others who might otherwise come into contact with us. In fact, on March 20th, we all began working remotely before Governor Kemp and the Georgia Supreme Court gently recommended that employers consider increasing telecommuting.
Our normal firm culture is to have all staff and attorneys present in our Atlanta office. We highly value personal interaction. Over the past ten years the firm has devoted major time and resources to increasing our internet and technical capabilities. We are a paperless office. We have a strong computer system managed by our own IT professional. This is why when crisis presented itself, our entire firm was able to go remote on one day’s notice.
The main impact from the coronavirus known as COVID-19, is that the Court system has temporarily shut down most of its services. This is an unprecedented event. Spring trial dates have been cancelled. Some depositions have been delayed, but most are continuing without interruption due to our videoconferencing capabilities with cooperation, for the most part, with opposing counsel. Some courts have delayed hearings on legal arguments over certain matters. We are awaiting further details, but do not expect to receive solid answers from the courts for several months. We are confident that our State Supreme Court is taking proper steps and the wheels of Justice, while turning slower, will continue to turn. Indeed, all members of the Bar have a responsibility to do whatever can be done to assist the courts and clients to ensure the wheels of Justice keep turning. When it is safe, we are confident all of the court functions will be fully restored.
Despite uncertainties surrounding the courts, we are working just as hard as ever through our remote technology. Our firm meetings are conducted by video conference through Zoom, Microsoft Office Software, and GoToMyPC. Our attorneys and paralegals are doing everything needed to serve the people and families we represent. Our spirits are high. We remain committed to our clients. Stay safe. Stay home. And practice social distancing. We will get through this together.
“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as you ever can.”
– John Wesley
Adam Malone
Board Certified – Medical Malpractice