MUST appear from your car , pull over , park and then connect .
5 . Smartphones and tablets are challenging over Zoom for anything other than a short announcement . I have seen enough nose hair ( attorney holding phone up to mouth to speak into and camera focuses up their nose ), ear hair ( attorney holding phone to their ear to listen and camera is on ), ceiling fans , treetops , and general chaos to last me a lifetime . If you must use a smartphone , keep it stationary and charged . Better yet , use a laptop or desktop computer .
6 . Pounding on the table is not effective over video . Not during argument or on cross examination .
7 . Do not be mortified if your child , dog , or cat makes an unexpected appearance during your hearing . Judges are people too and this has surely happened to me . Hopefully , we are all showing each other some grace during this time .
8 . Learn how to screen share . Used correctly , it is effective and persuasive . Conversely , it can be tedious and disastrous if you do not .
9 . In a virtual hearing , the judge can see EVERY facial expression . In the courtroom , because of the layout , a judge can only focus on one attorney or the witness at a time . On Zoom , I can see it all . Be aware . Try to prepare your clients for this as well .
10 . Attorneys are scrambling to keep up with multiple courtrooms using multiple video links and multiple time assignments . It is demanding and stressful . Judges are mindful of this so keep court staff updated if you find yourself in a time bind .
11 . Get a quality scanner or set up the ability to sign or modify a . pdf through Adobe . Video proceedings are here to stay and the days of attorneys putting wet signatures on a document may be few .
A View from the Staff Attorney :
1 . In terms of communication , please realize that staff may be working remotely and may not have immediate access to all their files . We want to assist you and know this is a stressful time to practice law , but we too are doing the best we can under virtual and remote settings .
2 . In Cobb , staff have worked with court administration to include online resources for easy access to scheduling and commonly used forms . If you cannot get in touch with a staff member immediately , try checking to see if the answer is on the court ’ s , clerk ’ s , or judge ’ s webpage .
3 . Last year the Uniform Superior Court Rules changed to require parties to submit a copy of motions and responses to the assigned judge or judge ’ s designee . Please remember , especially as courtrooms have gone paperless , to email a copy to chambers or add the judge ’ s staff as service contact in PeachCourt or Odyssey . This helps staff know when something is ripe for a ruling .
4 . If you have a case request that is time sensitive , let staff know . In the alternative if you do not need a hearing for several months let staff know . Most courts are only setting matters a few months out given the need to resume jury trials .
5 . In terms of technology , when preparing for virtual court , keep in mind privacy concerns ( you and your client should pick a place appropriate for court or mediation ), internet speeds ( try to connect to your internet directly rather than via wi-fi ), reduce audio feedback or background distractions which often disrupt proceedings , be sure to plan to address lighting , video and microphone quality issues , and evidence / document handling procedures .
6 . Finally , technology is a wonderful tool that allows for courts to continue to handle business , but it is not perfect so be patient . We all sometimes forget we are on mute , cannot find the video conference link , or must juggle homeschooling or a barking dog in the background . Court by Zoom may take
IN THE PROFESSION
longer due to these glitches so take time to breathe , stay calm , and remember how far we have come in the past year .
Coming to the Courthouse : What to know ahead of time if you venture onto the judicial campus .
If you do come to court in person , be sure to follow public safety guidelines . Social distancing is required . Be prepared to wear a mask and submit to temperature checks . If you are not feeling well , stay home and call the assigned judge . Courts have installed numerous hand sanitizing stations , use them and wash your hands frequently . Cobb Superior Court has a “ no touch ” evidence policy .
Keeping It All Straight : Tips on to keep you sane .
The demands of the pandemic are taking their toll on us all . Is this the time to consider the ways in which you can streamline your practice ? Have you thrown out the notion of work-life balance in favor of integrating your passion , profession , and overall wellbeing ? Some of the successful strategies we have seen lawyers employ include :
• The use of virtual assistants .
• Creating “ rules ” for incoming emails ( such as anything with a certain extension , cobbcounty . org , or contains “ Zoom ” goes into a certain folder ).
• Adoption of project management software ( such as Teams , Slack , or Google Meet ) to stay connected when working remotely .
• Keeping connected to peers through virtual CLEs , bar meetings , and social media .
• Prioritizing wellness . The Atlanta Bar sends out Wellness Wednesday emails , and the State Bar ’ s Lawyers Living Well site offers meditation podcasts . This may be the time to use your six free counseling sessions through the State Bar ’ s Lawyer Assistance Program . Lastly , if you miss something , call court staff and tell them . We are here to help .
www . atlantabar . org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 19