SIDEBAR Fall 2021 - 14

MONTGOMERY B AR .O R G
By Joel B. Bernbaum, Esq.
O
ne of the aspects of " The Law " that attracted me to
becoming an attorney is the continuing evolution and
its ability to change. There is always the bellow from
the old guard, " ...that's not the way we did it... " but change
is implemented for the collective good or in this case, out of
necessity.
It wasn't too long ago that computers, online research, remote
testimony, e-filing, video conference calls and even fax machines
didn't exist in our practices. A year and a half ago, COVID
brought the necessity of more change, which will permanently be a
part of how we practice.
Here are some of the changes that I believe will remain because
of COVID:
Law has long been an office-oriented profession, with real
estate regularly the No. 2 cost after personnel. Covid has caused
many firms to rethink their use of space from the total needed
to the configuration of the offices themselves. Many firms are
reconsidering " being at work " to mean being at home as well as in
the firm's main office. Recruiting, training, and mentoring young
lawyers has become especially difficult as most continue to work
from home. Virtual proceedings, from conferences to trials, are
more frequent if not common place. Many firms are reconsidering
the physical office space and technological aspects of their offices.
Technology " space or rooms, " for instance, have become more
popular. Advanced audio-visual systems and large screens are
used to make it appear that a client or colleague is in the same
physical conference room. As a result, hardware and IT staff and
departments are being upgraded and evaluated.
Law schools will consolidate, tuition reduced, and online
programs will become mainstream, especially among non-elite
schools.
Technology is driving changes. With the need for lawyers
and staff to be connected all the time, firms are allocating more
financial resources toward technology. The pandemic has also
accelerated the focus on health and wellness in the workplace.
Offices are prioritizing good air quality, distancing, access to
outdoor space, and other interior design features.
To address the concern of COVID transmission by touching
contaminated surfaces, offices are incorporating more hands-free
elements with smart phones able to grant security access, turn on
lights, and order a cup of coffee.
The courts have struggled to adapt to life in the digital age due
to a number of factors, including: inaccessibility, cost, formality,
archaic rules, and protracted court processes. The urgency of
modernization is unprecedented. Again, many of our courts have
ground to a halt when demand for accessible, efficient resolutions
are badly needed. Most courts, from appellate to municipal to
district courts, will add virtual or some form of ACT (Alternate
Communication Technology). The genie is out of the law's bottle,
and it will not return.
I am looking forward to your comments on " The Law after
Covid. "
Enjoy the Internet, E-Mail and Social Media, but " Let's be
careful out there! "
Please send your questions and comments to me at:
joel@bernbaumfamilylaw.com.
14 SIDEBAR
http://montgomerybar.org
SIDEBAR Fall 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SIDEBAR Fall 2021
