Welcome to the VBA Pulse
Upcoming webinars - CLE from a distance!
Join your colleagues virtually for webinars geared toward keeping you steady during these uncertain times! More webinars are being added regularly, including webinars on remote notarization so check our website often!
VIRTUAL PRACTICE AND THE CORONAVIRUS: FREE WEBINAR


The Coronavirus Outbreak is a Referendum on Virtual Practice:  
How Quickly Can Your Law Firm Get Up to Speed? 
 
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has already significantly changed the way law firms practice; & those changes will be long-lasting & far-reaching, even as the outbreak is eventually con- trolled & we all return to normal life. 
 
If you’re now being forced to operate a virtual law prac-tice, when your law firm had previously existed as a tradi-tional business, you’re likely scrambling to get up to speed as quarantines take place across the world & popula- tions affirmatively engage in social distancing. Without another option, you’re left to adopt a virtual law practice model, or risk the continuity of your business. 
 
In this webinar, we’ll show you how to get ramped up to a virtual law firm business model (both from a marketing and a technology perspec-tive) as quickly as possible, with discrete tasks you can engage as soon as this week. It’s not as hard as you think; but, you have to start somewhere -- start here. 

Presented by: 
Jared D. Correia, Esq. 
CEO, Red Cave Law Firm Consulting 
COO, Gideon Software, Inc. 

CLICK  HERE   TO REGISTER 1.0 MCLE (FREE)!
MINDFUL MOMENTS FOR WELLNESS: WEBINAR SERIES (see dates/registration below)

In the face of a heightened level of chaos & uncertainty around us, we need to focus on increasing our overall well-being & decreasing the harmful effects of stress now more than ever. Join Samara Anderson, Esq., 500 RYT, our local wellness guru & certified MBSR (Mindful Based Stress Reduction) teacher as she guides us through some mindful practices to help us reduce stress, increase clarity & focus, boost our immunity systems and implement simple self-care practices that will have a profound impact on your life & the lives of those around you.  

Give yourselves the gift of wellness during these times of stress. Join for a few minutes or the entire 30 -60 minutes, to help boost your mood and find some peace of mind.  

The hour sessions will be somewhat more involved in terms of increasing clarity for your practices. Mindfulness is an ongoing practice, so feel free to join one, two or all the sessions.




CLICK THE WEBINARS TO REGISTER FOR ANY OR ALL!
Foreclosure Defense and Mediation Training
3-Part Webinar Series
Previously scheduled as an all-day event, and due to the current COVID-19 crisis, we have changed the format to a series of three webinars on April 8 th , 15 th , & 22 nd . 
All three events will be from noon to 2pm on those dates, providing 6 hours of MCLE credit. The trainings are not being moved to the indefinite future because there are attorneys who have taken on low-bono foreclosure cases in anticipation of attending this training. Mediators will also need this training to remain on the panel for next year.

Should you be unable to attend any of the three webinars, recordings will be made available to you. The agenda is being broken up into three parts, roughly in the order and format as presented in the posted agenda.

You will receive a link and webinar instructions approximately the day before the meeting. Feel free to test your computer audio/video at www.webex.com prior to or after receiving the link.   
More Free Stuff
Clio is providing their How to Work from Home as a Lawyer resource page which has comprehensive guides, tools, tips, and best practices for working remotely in the cloud.
VBA Digital Library
The Vermont Supreme Court has removed the 10-hour cap for self-study MCLE hours due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, no longer requiring 10 hours of live CLE's for the 2018-2020 licensing group. With unlimited self-study allowed, why not go ahead and grab all the credits you need through our Digital Library? We have titles on subject areas galore!

CLICK HERE to view all titles
New format for teleseminars & audio webcasts
The VBA has been working with Webcredenza to bring you an easier way to browse and register for teleseminars. You can still take part using your phone, but now you also have the option of taking part using your laptop, desktop, or other device with internet access. Both are live, as you have the opportunity to interact with presenters via phone or emailing/chatting through your browser.
No more waiting for materials to be posted to our website or searching through your email to find that call-in number! Simply go to our website and select Teleseminars & Audio Webcasts on the CLE/Events dropdown.
You'll be taken here , where you can browse by practice area or preferred format. Create your own account and you're all set. 
Coronavirus (COVID-19) UPDATES!

The VBA is working hard to get you the latest information affecting your practices with respect to the Coronavirus. There has been no better time than NOW to join and utilize VBA Connect's online communities! Members are sharing information on the family, probate, property and other listserves daily. If you need assistance with VBA Connect, call or email today!

Please also check our website regularly for updates on the Judiciary's Declaration of Judicial Emergency, messages from our President and our COVID-19 work on your behalf, including the Emergency Rules on Remote Notarization, emergency legislation for wills, deeds and powers of attorney, clarification on permissible legal services during the Stay at Home Order and the formation of an ad hoc COVID-19 Committee. Thank you for enabling us to be a resource for the legal community and to have a seat at the table as Vermont navigates through this crisis.
Mid-Year Meeting - Rescheduled to
June 11 & 12
With a total of 8.0 MCLE credits available, including 3.5 ethics credits, you can be sure this year's Mid-Year Meeting has a wonderful variety of programs for everyone. We're updating our flyer daily with additional descriptions and panel adjustments so check back often - VIEW FLYER HERE .

Date: June 11 & 12, 2020
Place: Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain ( click here for room reservations )
Credits: 8.0 (includes 3.5 ethics)
Rules 12(a)(1) and 15(c ): At least 6.5 credits are approved and certified to meet the 1st-year admittee requirement.
Basic Skills in VT Practice & Procedure
Rescheduled to June 11, 2020
Whether you’re a Vermont licensed attorney interested in learning another area of law, or planning to become licensed in Vermont – this is the course for you! We’ll be at the Hilton Burlington on Battery Street in Burlington, Vermont.
For overnight accommodations, call 1-800-445-8667 or CLICK HERE , let them know you are with the Vermont Bar Association (rate is for Basic Skills AND Mid-Year Meeting) , as we have been given a discounted room rate of $179/night for a City View and $199/night for a Lake View.

This 6-hour plenary session is designed to give you an overview of the major areas of Vermont legal practice and an introduction to ethics, courtroom etiquette, and professional standards in Vermont, and is approved and certified to satisfy Rule 12(a)(1) and Rule 15(c ).

Don’t forget, the additional required 9 credit hours are available from our digital library ! 
IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID 19 CRISIS,THE VBA'S TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT, TCI CONSULTANTS, INC.,
IS HERE TO HELP OUR MEMBERS
As a small business Owner, I understand how uneasy many may feel with the uncertainty today’s business world. I want to say first and foremost, be safe and be healthy. We at Technology Consultants, Inc. continue assisting small businesses that are not our clients to implement a safe work environment by setting up Remote Work or Telecommute services. Many options are available to access your office computer or your office network. Please keep in mind security! Do not rush into a setup for accessing your company information and take a chance in opening your Company to Internet Thugs.

Technology Consultants, Inc. is here to help the Vermont Bar members to find the best way to setup and assisted in a remote worker program, also known as Telecommute system. Many users can purchase simple direct and secure programs such as LogMeIn Pro, TeamViewer or GoToMyPC. If you have an IT managed service company helping you, please talk to them about first securing and protecting your remote computer and then how to best connect to your office.

Many Law firms are moving to Microsoft Office 365 for email and file management, please remember even that needs to be setup correctly and setup security. You can setup Dual Authentication so even if someone can talk you into giving up the password, they would not be able to login without that 2 nd step.

Look out for Phishing attacks. We have been told by the DOD, and the State of Vermont that email scams are on the rise. Please examine the email address that sent you that email. If it looks off, it may be a phishing email looking for information from you. That is why making sure you have a powerful Virus/Malware protection. If you need help with this during this crisis, please let the Vermont Bar Know and we will assist you.

With the correct tools you can do a lot of work remotely. We have helped with Medical Telemedicine, Business to Business, Person to Person conference system, such as Teams, Zoom and Skype. If you need more information, please ask us. Use our on-line chat feature under https://www.tcivt.net/support-center/ web page. 
A MESSAGE FROM ABA
RETIREMENT PROGRAM
As news of the novel coronavirus continues to evolve, we want to keep you informed and provide you with timely updates, resources and educational information. We created an online resource for you and your participants. Visit our ‘COVID-19 and the Market Impact’ page on the Program website at abaretirement.com . Please feel free to share this link with your employees.
Beginning the week of March 23, if your plan offers loans and/or hardship withdrawals, the Program will temporarily deliver these checks directly to participants instead of sending them to firms.* Loan checks will be sent regular mail and hardship withdrawal checks will be sent by overnight delivery. For the loans, we will send you the repayment information via email so that you can begin payroll deductions.
 
If you have any questions, please call our toll-free Plan Administrator Line at 800.752.6313 or email us at contactus@abaretirement.com .
We hope you, your staff and your families remain healthy and safe and we are standing by to assist you if necessary.

Stay Well,
ABA Retirement Funds Program
While the situation with COVID-19 evolves and you work through your own business continuity plans, we understand if you’re a bit unsettled by the uncertainty of current circumstances, as well as the possibility of missing out on cash flow. Our member benefit partners at LawPay understand the critical role that electronic payments will play as this situation evolves, and that’s why they’re offering a $100 credit on processing fees if you want to get started with a new LawPay account. Their team is fully operational and here to support you however they can. Learn more>>
VBA Offers an Independent Telemedicine Solution to its Membership

With the onset of the coronavirus, the VBA’s telemedicine program offers the most comprehensive solution in the marketplace. The complete group virtual-care program includes-

·          General Medicine $0 copay
·          Behavioral Health $0 copay
·          Dermatology $0 copay
·          Expert Second Opinion Services $0 copay

Your firm will pay a low monthly fee for you and your family. There is a minimum of two enrolled for group plans and you will never be billed for services that you receive.

Individual programs are also available with a modified benefit offering.

For more information call our broker, Tim Clain at Pinnacle Financial Corporation, our broker for over 25 years. You can reach Tim at 802-773-2617 ext. 202 or by email at tclain@financialguide.com  
NEW AFFINITY PARTNER!
Easy Soft real estate closing software will revolutionize the way you handle closings. With Easy Soft you can automate redundant tasks, close 70% faster, reduce risk and work anytime, anywhere. Easy Soft real estate software has been the trusted source for real estate attorneys nationwide for over 30 years.
All you need is a device (laptop, tablet, PC or smartphone) and an internet connection to access and work on any of your real estate closing matters. 

Members save 25% off your first year*

Easy Soft real estate closing software includes:
  • The most commonly used closing documents
  • 1099-S Reporting and Filing
  • Centralized data entry
  • Automatic calculation of tax prorations, government recording charges, projected payments and cash to close
  • Ledger Balancing
  • Title Searching
  • Integration with popular software programs, including Dropbox, RynohLive, CosmoLex and InfoTrack

For more information please visit https://www.easysoft-usa.com/ and check out the 14-day free trial option. Or call 1-800-905-7638 and use Code VTBAR at initial purchase to receive your 25% off first year discount*. 

*Available to new subscribers only.
Looking for new clients?
Sign up for our
Lawyer Referral Service.
SIGN UP NOW AND GET THREE MONTHS FOR FREE!!
Find your next career at the Vermont Bar Association
Check back frequently as new jobs are posted every day.

To post a job opportunity on our website, click HERE .
The VBA offers a great service to its members! We can publish your law firm announcements to our legal community. Announcements may include law firm name changes, new partners, and location changes. This service offers our members a significant savings by eliminating the need to print & mail announcements. It also helps our members keep informed of changes in our legal community. And it helps keep our planet just a little greener!

To submit an announcement, Click HERE
YOUR online community!

Don't forget about this valuable member benefit. Join any of our online communities and stay CONNECTED.

To access VBA Connect, click HERE

READ MORE ABOUT RED CAVE CONSULTING HERE