As the current health and economic crisis associated with COVID-19 (coronavirus) develops, MAJ will continue to update members with important developments, news and opportunities to help in the trial attorney and greater legal communities.

GOVERNOR HOGANS CLOSES NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES

Are Law Firms Exempt?

On Monday, March 23, 2020, Governor Larry Hogan issued an executive order announcing the closure of all non-essential businesses to combat the spread of COVID-19. However, this does not include the Government Facilities Sector which includes "lawyers and law firms," as well as court reporters and bail bondsmen. You can find the entire list of exemptions on the guidance provided by the Maryland Office of Legal Counsel . It should be noted that this is not a "shelter in place" order. The determination for whether attorneys should decide to close their offices and work from home should be made at an individual level. The Governor and the Office of Legal Counsel continues to encourage work-from-home arrangements to the greatest extent possible. As Governor Hogan remarked, "Unless you have an essential reason to leave your house, you need to stay in your home. Per recent relief legislation, there will be a variety of programs available for small businesses to receive loans to ensure bills and employees are paid. Resources through the State of Maryland can be found at https://govstatus.egov.com/md-coronavirus-business .

SBA Justice Loans Available

The SBA Justice Loans program is with SBA Loan Group, one of the largest providers of SBA Loans to Law Firms in the United States. T he Federal Government is actively working on legislation for a NEW SBA Emergency Program that would allow banks to deploy cash quickly at low interest rates. If you have an interest in this new SBA funding Program, SBA Loan Group is recommending that you click on the link below to get in the queue. Complete this form  now to get into the queue so that when specifics of this new emergency Program become available, SBA Loan Group can communicate with you quickly and effectively regarding:  The details of the Program How to get started with the process    WATCH THIS VIDEO  to learn more about SBA Loan Group expertise within the legal community.

REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS DURING THE CRISIS

Disaster Legal Services Needs Your Help

The Federal Government has statutory authority to make arrangements for the provision of legal services to victims of major disasters. Maryland attorneys may be called upon to provide free emergency legal services to low-income Marylanders through the Disaster Legal Services (DLS) Program.  Last week, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado, along with other representatives, introduced the Pandemic Response and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act to help prepare communities for the economic impacts of the coronavirus, which could potentially trigger the implementation of the DLS program throughout the entire country.   The DLS program, which allows low-income Marylanders to request the assistance of a lawyer, is in partnership between the Maryland State Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Section, the Bar Association of Baltimore City Young Lawyers’ Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).   While the DLS program has not been enacted for the present COVID-19 pandemic yet , the MSBA YLS Disaster Relief Committee is being proactive in expanding its list of potential volunteer attorneys across the State of Maryland. A volunteer attorney could be needed to assist with accepting phone calls, placing callers/clients with pro bono attorneys, or providing pro bono representation (if desired).  Please share this request widely throughout your firms, organizations and legal networks.   If you are willing to assist, please contact Sean O'Keefe ( spokeefe@okeefelegal.com ; 301-473-1842) and Kerri Smith ( KSmith@silvermanthompson.com ) with your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address .

Want to be a Guest Lecturer for Law Students?

Joanne Doroshow of the Center for Justice and Democracy at New York Law School is is seeking guest lecturers to discuss via livestream on how the current national crisis may impact civil justice, consumer or public protection, patients’ rights, the civil courts or judges. This could be as specific or general according to each volunteer and could range anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour and a half depending on preference. The class meets each Monday at 4:15 through May 4, 2020. Contact Joanne Doroshow at joanned@centerjd.org to volunteer.

Maryland Association for Justice, Inc. MDforJustice.com

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