Email Storm: Connecticut Bar Forms Pandemic Task Force to Address Flood of Queries

Faced with the uncertainty that has come with the coronavirus outbreak, and with phones ringing nonstop with questions from worried attorneys and members of the public, the Connecticut Bar Association formed a COVID-19 Pandemic Task Force.

The association task force, which comprises about 25 individuals, including lawyers, judges and professionals statewide, will update bar members and the public on how the novel coronavirus is affecting courts and attorneys across the state. The CBA’s website will feature tools and resources, updated multiple times each day.

The group will help lawyers navigate difficulties related to COVID-19, the new coronavirus.

For now, the top concerns of solo practitioners and small law firms include finances and working from home, according to bar president Ndidi Moses and task force co-chairman Monte Frank.

“First and foremost, everyone is concerned about the ability to practice law, stay healthy and do what we can to comply with the national health mandate,” said Frank, a member and co-chairman of Pullman & Comley’s litigation department. “This crisis raises concerns about the ability of lawyers to practice and earn a living, so they can both support their families and continue their obligations to the public.”

Frank said it’s too early to say what financial resources are available to attorneys, as task force subcommittees continue to research the issue.

Moses said the association “easily was receiving dozens of emails a day and lots of phone calls from everyone with questions on a variety of issues related to the pandemic.” She said the association’s website already has information on attorneys working from home that will be updated soon.

“We will also have information on the site about cyber threats, how to get data online sufficiently and getting attorneys to help with legal aid issues that keep popping up,” Moses said.

In addition to attorney concerns, Moses said many poor clients also need assistance. She is asking for association members to offer their time pro bono to help those individuals. There are about 10,000 association members.

“One of the biggest needs right now is for attorneys to help legal aid organizations in working with those with low incomes and moderate means,” Moses said. “We must make sure they do not fall through the cracks and have questions answered now on issues like access to alimony and child support.”

The task force has six subcommittees and liaisons for different groups, Moses said, “to help meet the needs of its members.”

Moses, who is a member of the technology subcommittee, said Thursday forming the task force was necessary to “maximize our efforts by collaborating more.”

“We needed a way to better streamline the process. And the email storm to the CBA needed to be controlled,” she said. “We were getting hit with emails from all directions from everyone asking for our help and guidance.”

Moses said it’s important to note the task force is also working closely with the state’s Judicial Branch, the office of Gov. Ned Lamont and the legislative branch in sharing information and resources.

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