NYSBA Works to Develop Plan To Bring Lawyers and Staff Back to Their Offices

NYSBA Works to Develop Plan To Bring Lawyers and Staff Back to Their Offices

4.29.2020

By Susan DeSantis

The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) is working with representatives of law firms of every size to make recommendations on how to bring lawyers and staff back to their offices when Gov. Andrew Cuomo eases stay at home restrictions.

NYSBA, the largest voluntary state bar association in the country, is in an ideal position to work with the administration of Gov. Cuomo to establish best practices for law firms. The association has appointed a Restarting the Economy Work Group to ensure that the views of its more than 70,000 members are heard.

“This is an enormously important issue to lawyers around the state and the working group has pledged to move quickly to give law firms guidance,” NYSBA President Henry M. Greenberg said. “Clients come to us because they need someone to listen carefully to their concerns and many times the best way to do that is at the office. Collaboration with the entire legal team is also easier and more effective when everyone is in the same place.”

The work group will be consulting with law firm managers, health authorities and labor experts to recommend the safest and most efficient way for law firms to reopen. The governor has determined that all businesses will need to submit reopening plans that allow employees to work at a distance from one another.

Many law firms and the court system are now operating virtually. New York allowed lawyers representing criminal defendants, health care providers, utilities and the local, state and federal governments more leeway in maintaining a physical presence during the coronavirus crisis.

The association is also providing training on the topic. A webinar, “Bringing Employees Back to the Office: Key Steps and Preparations for Law Firms” will be presented at noon on Friday, May 8. The webinar will include discussions of legal exposure, privacy issues, medical screenings and cleaning protocols.

The members of the Restarting the Economy Work Group are:

• Mark A. Berman, a partner at Ganfer, Shore, Leeds & Zauderer and founding chair of NYSBA’s Committee on Technology and the Legal Profession
• Hermes Fernandez, a partner at Bond Schoeneck & King and chair of NYSBA’s Health Law Section
• Martin I. Kaminsky, chief legal officer and general counsel at Greenberg Traurig
• Devika Kewalramani, a partner and general counsel at Moses & Singer
• Evan H. Krinick, managing partner, Rivkin Radler
• Domenick Napoletano, a solo practitioner, is co-chair of the NYSBA Emergency Task Force for Solo and Small Firm Practitioners formed in the wake of the coronavirus crisis
• Marian C. Rice, a partner at L’Abate, Balkan, Colavita & Contini
• David M. Schraver, of counsel at Nixon Peabody and past president of NYSBA

About the New York State Bar Association
The New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Since 1876, the Association has helped shape the development of law, educated and informed the legal profession and the public, and championed the rights of New Yorkers through advocacy and guidance in our communities.

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Contact: Susan DeSantis
sdesantis@nysba.org
201-575-5756