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COVID-19 Tips for Law Firms
Post on March 6th, 2020

As lawyers we know the importance of preparation. The most reliable source for information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. This website provides information on the virus, prevention and treatment and importantly, the latest updates on the disease. It also provides the Stop The Spread of Germs poster to provide helpful tips at minimizing your risk of infection. Following these steps can give you strategic guidance for this global health challenge.

Take prevention seriously!
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
  • Don’t share common tools – if you must, wipe them with disinfecting wipes
  • Wipe down doorknobs, phones and touch screens
Discuss paid time off and sick leave policies with lawyers and staff
  • Have policies that allow healthy recovery
  • Establish procedures for working remotely
  • Don’t punish lawyers and staff for NOT coming into the office. COVID-19 has an incubation period of approximately 14 days.
  • Inform your staff if anyone in your office is infected with the virus but maintain the confidentiality by withholding the infected person’s name
Use effective calendaring and client communication
  • Be pro-active with client communication – let them know you’re prepared!
  • Consider using remote conferencing to meet with clients who may have health risks
  • Have a business continuity plan in place if lawyers/staff are incapacitated
  • Update internal lists for passwords, client files, calendar and statute dates
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at OBLIC.
Gretchen Koehler Mote, Esq.
Director of Loss Prevention
Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company
Direct Phone Line: 614.572.0620