SBAND PRESIDENT
SBAND IS HERE TO HELP DURING THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES
CARRIE FRANCIS SBAND President
The COVID-19 pandemic we are currently facing is unprecedented , both for the economy and for our legal practices . It has forced many of us to adjust not only our way of thinking , but also where we do our thinking . To prevent further spread of COVID-19 , many attorneys have sought to minimize in-person contact with existing and potential clients in any way they could . While some attorneys have been fortunate enough to continue working from the office , a great many attorneys continue to work remotely . Whatever the situation , attorneys are finding ways to take precautions while still providing legal assistance to those who need it .
To be successful , working remotely requires access to communication tools , files , important documents , case management systems , and tools to support video or phone-based meetings . In addition to those immediate needs , keep in mind some attorneys and support staff may be more comfortable with technology than others and there may be a learning curve required . On top of all of this , let ’ s not forget we have added security concerns when working remotely and ensuring our client information is protected . Some days , these issues are more than we have time to navigate and learn about .
While we continue to adjust to the current situation , it is important to know the resources available to you as an SBAND member . SBAND provides its members with access to Casemaker , a useful research tool . There is no charge for active North Dakota Bar members , and the library includes state and federal case law , the North Dakota Century Code , ethics advisory opinions , court rules , published and unpublished court opinions , past North Dakota lawyer articles , a searchable index , and more . This is , in my opinion , the most underutilized benefit of your membership .
For law firms that take online payments , and those that are thinking about it , SBAND has partnered with LawPay for its members . LawPay allows you to accept client payments online , providing convenience to your clients and hassle-free payments for law firms . This is a service that I recently enrolled with and have found it to be an easy and convenient option for my clients that prefer online payments . Watch for introductory specials to save on transaction costs .
If you are thinking about online software for your remote work environment , take some time to look at CLIO . SBAND partners with CLIO , an affordable online practice management software option that will ease the transition between office and remote work environments .
If you find yourself needing support in adjusting to these changing times , do not be afraid to get help . The SBAND Member Assistance Program offers confidential , professional counseling services across the state for a variety of concerns , including marital and parenting concerns , emotional crises , financial and family difficulties , substance abuse evaluations , and work-related problems . Members and their families are entitled to receive up to eight counseling sessions per identified problem area at no charge . In addition , lawyers struggling with alcohol or drug abuse , stress , depression , or practice management can utilize the SBAND Lawyer Assistance Program .
While our practices have been impacted , so have the day-to-day operations of SBAND . We cancelled our summer 2020 Annual Meeting and instead provided a virtual CLE series , which was a great success . As local bar associations begin to meet in person again , Tony Weiler and I are excited to come meet with you . While we all navigate through these times , please know SBAND is here to help and support you and your practice . If there is anything that you need , or something you would like to see SBAND offer , please let us know .
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