COVID-19
Legal Community
Updates and Resources

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Government Resources

CARES Act Information 

2021
U.S. Department of the Treasury
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 provide fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families, and small businesses, and preserve jobs for American industries. Read more »

2020
The United States Dept. of Justice (Southern District of California)
Important Notice: USTP Issues Notice to Chapter 7 and 13 Trustees Regarding Recovery Rebates Under the Cares Act of 2020. Read More »
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American Bar Association (ABA)
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Ten highlights for ABA members and additional resources.

Employment Law/CARES COVID-19 Public Legal Informational Video - Brought to you by the SDCBA Lawyer Referral and Information Service.

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Federal Offices and National Resources

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Beginning June 4, 2020, certain USCIS field offices and asylum offices resumed non-emergency face-to-face services to the public. USCIS has enacted precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in reopened facilities. Visit Site »

Office of the United States Attorney
In a memo to U.S. Attorneys, Attorney General Barr said, "The pandemic is dangerous enough without wrongdoers seeking to profit from public panic and this sort of conduct cannot be tolerated."
Read about actions taken by the Attorney General and the Department of Justice's response.
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The United States Dept. of Justice (Southern District of California)
The U.S. Trustee Program is extending the requirement that section 341 meetings be conducted only through telephonic or other alternative means not requiring in-person appearance to all cases filed until further notice.
News Release: Federal Prosecutors Team Up with AARP to Provide Californians with Information on COVID-19 Scams
News Release: Department of Justice Makes $850 Million Available to Help Public Safety Agencies Address COVID-19 Pandemic
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United States Probation Office (Southern District of California)
Visitor restrictions to all courthouses and Probation and Pretrial Services offices in the District. 
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National Conference of Bar Examiners
Each jurisdiction will make its own decision about whether it is able to administer the February 2021 bar exam. The NCBE compiled a list of announcements from jurisdictions across the nation. 
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The National Conference of Bar Presidents
The NCBP is holding a series of 21st Century Lawyer Webinars. To view previous events, click here. To sign up for the next event in the series, click here »

American Bar Association (ABA)
ABA Task Force Launches Web Resource on COVID-19
The ABA Task Force on Legal Needs Arising Out of the 2020 Pandemic launched a website to provide information about resources, changes in benefits and emerging legal issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

ABA Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness
Updated resource page with pandemic-specific information for the legal profession. 

Practice Forward
The American Bar Association has launched its Practice Forward website. It is a member-focused clearinghouse of ABA-related information and resources to assist lawyers and judges as they adjust their practice and work amid the potential long-term changes due to COVID-19.  
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State Offices, Adjuncticative Agencies and Resources

California Department of Public Health
See COVID-19 updates, guidance documents, and more. 
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California Secretary of State
The Sacramento office is closed as of March 20, but drop-off boxes remain accessible. The Los Angeles offices will remain open with limited staff, and critical functions and services will continue. 
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County of San Diego
Order of the Health Officer and Emergency Regulations
The state has issued a Regional Stay at Home Order. 
Learn More »

Office of the Public Defender
Business offices closed to the general public until further notice. 
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San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber's Policy Team will be compiling a comprehensive legislative update each Thursday. 
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San Diego County District Attorney
See domestic violence resources available during COVID-19 closures, warning of COVID-19 economic impact payment scams, and more. 
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The State Bar of California
Effective December 4, the State Bar's offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles are closed to the public until further notice. 
Lawyer Assistance Program helps lawyers, State Bar applicants, and law students who are grappling with stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse or concerns about their career. Learn more »
News Release: State Bar Board of Trustees to Partner with Supreme Court on Blue Ribbon Commission on the Future of the California Bar Exam
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State of California Franchise Tax Board
Get updates for California taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.
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Immigration Updates

Immigration Update: Coronavirus
To help individuals and companies remain current on the immigration impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fragomen has created a microsite on its public website – Immigration Update: Coronavirus – to capture up-to-date information on confirmed immigration restrictions and/or concessions imposed by more than 150 international jurisdictions, including entry or transit bans and mandatory quarantines, among others.

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Practice Resources

From Member Benefit Partners

SDCBA Member Benefit Partner Clio commits $1 million to help lawyers navigate the challenges of COVID-19. More »

San Diego County Bar Association Announces Exclusive Partnership with Clio. Read press release here »

Ahern Practice Tip Library

COVID-19 Scams Are Contagious

What precautions can lawyers, staff, and law firms take to avoid pandemic cyber scams? Click here to read about some of the current scams that are making the rounds, as well as risk management solutions that you can take to protect yourself and your firm. SDCBA Members can save up to 20% on an exclusive Lawyers Professional Liability program with AXA XL available only through AHERN Insurance Brokerage. Apply today.

Navigating Risk Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Amid the unprecedented disruption caused by the outbreak of COVID19, and the mandated measures governments at all levels have instigated to combat it, lawyers and law firms must still tend to their ethical and professional responsibilities. This article provides practical, common sense tips to navigate risk management in this new environment. SDCBA Members can save up to 20% on an exclusive Lawyers Professional Liability program with AXA XL available only through AHERN Insurance Brokerage. Apply today.

Video Conferencing Risk Management Considerations

The Covid-19 pandemic has altered how we interact with our clients, third parties and each other. It has required the legal profession to begin working from home virtually overnight. As with any technology, the use of video conferencing technology has its risks, especially for lawyers who have never used it before. Click here to read more about the privacy and security risks associated with video conferencing, as well as how to implement reasonable measures to mitigate those risks. SDCBA Members can save up to 20% on an exclusive Lawyers Professional Liability program with AXA XL available only through AHERN Insurance Brokerage. Apply today.

Navigating COVID19 & Resources for Attorney Wellbeing

As the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, there is uncertainty surrounding how the impact of the virus on the economy will affect law firms in particular. Click here to read about precautions that attorneys and law firms can take to reduce the impact of the virus on firm business and the health of the staff. SDCBA Members can save up to 20% on an exclusive Lawyers Professional Liability program with AXA XL available only through AHERN Insurance Brokerage. Apply today.

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Practice Management Resources

Legal Talk Network
Podcasts with legal news, practice management tips, and top trends.
Hear the latest episode »

How to Work from Home as a Lawyer
In light of COVID-19, lawyers and legal professionals may be looking to work from home or implement a remote work policy at their firm for the first time as a measure to protect their families, their clients, and their businesses. Here are a few key resources to help make working from home as a lawyer easier for you and your law firm. This resource is provided by Clio, an official SDCBA Member Benefit Partner.
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Helpful Webinars from the SDCBA
View informative tech and marketing videos from our tech guru, Adriana Linares, who will show you how to optimize your law practice, wherever you work.
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Community Resources

Law Schools

University of San Diego
Given San Diego County's purple tier standing, in-person classes will not be held until further notice.  
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Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Fall 2020 classes will be exclusively conducted remotely via Zoom. (Last updated August 3, 2020)
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California Western School of Law
Transitioned to online studies. Upcoming events moved online or cancelled. 
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Legal Community News

Above the Law
The site provides news and insights about the profession’s most colorful personalities and powerful institutions, as well as original commentary on breaking legal developments.
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Law360
Law360 is providing free access to its coronavirus coverage to make sure all members of the legal community have accurate information in this time of uncertainty and change.
Sign up for the Access to Justice newsletter »

Law.com
Instant Insights: Lawyers and their clients worldwide are responding to the coronavirus outbreak. Law.com’s reporters around the world are covering the virus’ impact on law firm operations, client business, law schools, and lawyer and staffer safety. Here’s a collection of our coverage, which is continuously updated.

• Instant Insights: Making It Work: The Legal Profession in the Age of COVID-19

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​The Red Bee Group: A National Survey on the New Normal of Working Remotely
"Best Practices" for ensuring personal and professional well-being while working remotely.
See Report »

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Legal Service Providers

Legal Aid Society of San Diego
Three main offices are temporarily closed to the public, but are still operating and providing services.
Click here to see upcoming virtual events. 
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San Diego Law Library
All in-person services have been suspended until further notice. 
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San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
Offices are temporarily closed. Staff is working remotely to provide essential legal services. 
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Local Law Related Organizations

California Lawyers Association
(Last Updated 3/15) All in-person meetings, events and activities are canceled until further notice. 
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North County Bar Association
Public meetings canceled until further notice.  
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Volunteer Opportunities

Just Serve
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This site contains organizations that are currently in need of volunteers.
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HandsOn San Diego
Find local organizations with urgent volunteer needs.
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More:

• Free to Thrive
• it's all about The Kids
• Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank
• Mama's Kitchen
• Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties
• RESOLVE Law San Diego
• San Diego Chula Vista Sunrise Rotary
  • ​Please reach out to southbayhelps@gmail.com if you or someone you know is interested, and you will be added to our communication chain.
• San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
• Serving Seniors
• United Way of San Diego County