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COVID-19 Information and Resources

COVID-19 Information and Resources

Court and Bar announcements, member resources and Bar event changes that may affect Florida Bar members, as well as general information for Floridians affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The Florida Bar offices closed on March 19, and certain staff are working remotely. In addition, The Florida Bar News is posting stories and updates daily on COVID-19.

Visit the Florida Board of Bar Examiners website for any information on Bar exams or admissions. Here is the Bar News article on the FBBE canceling the in-person Bar Exam scheduled for July 28-29, 2020 and scheduling an online bar examination on August 19, 2020. FBBE has added a FAQ page to assist anyone with questions about Bar exams or other relevant topics.

The Florida Bar is providing a new member benefit: 1-833-FL1-WELL, a free, confidential 24/7 lawyers helpline with professional counselors through CorpCare Associates. Learn more in the Bar News article.

Please note: this number is for Florida Bar members and is not a referral service to find a lawyer or make a complaint against a lawyer.

Tenga en cuenta: Este número es sólo para miembros del Colegio de Abogados de la Florida (The Florida Bar). No es servició de referencia para asesoría legal ni es donde se presenta una queja en contra de un abogado.

Court Orders & News

Florida Supreme Court Administrative Orders are being posted on their site and they have also established an emergency web page as a clearinghouse for orders and other information about trial courts and Florida’s District Courts of Appeal.

The Florida Supreme Court created the Workgroup on the Continuity of Court Operations and Proceedings During and After COVID-19 in April to recommend ways for a staged return to full court operations. Read more on their latest actions in the Bar News.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been making regular announcements and orders regarding the coronavirus pandemic. On June 1, the Governor extended the mortgage foreclosure and eviction relief order until July 1. On June 3, he issued Executive Order 20-139, regarding Phase 2: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery.

Most Recent Florida Supreme Court Orders and Announcements

Amended Orders, July 2: Two new administrative orders were issued by the Florida Supreme Court to provide more detailed guidance on the four-phase system the state courts will use to govern pandemic operations, especially focusing on Phase 3, when in-person contact is more broadly authorized and protective measures are relaxed.

Updated Administrative Order AOSC20-32. The first amended order revises AOSC20-32. The amended order establishes a certification process requiring local chief judges to monitor public health reports, consult health experts, and be certified for Phase 3 operations by the Chief Justice. No Florida state courts currently are operating in Phase 3, so the amendments will guide the process when conditions improve.
Updated Administrative Order AOSC20-23. The second amended order revises AOSC20-23. The original order suspended certain kinds of legal deadlines due to the pandemic. The amended order updates those suspensions to address the new Phase 3 guidelines.

Press Release, July 1: The Florida Board of Bar Examiners, with the approval of the Supreme Court of Florida, announced that the in-person administration of the General Bar Examination scheduled for July 28-29, 2020, in Tampa and Orlando, is canceled. In its place, the Board will administer an online bar examination on August 18, 2020.

Updated orders and memo, June 16: Chief Justice Charles Canady issued two new administrative orders and a new “best practices” memorandum late June 16, 2020, adopting changes to guidelines for state court pandemic operations recommended by his COVID-19 Workgroup.

Updated Administrative Order AOSC20-23: Updates with comprehensive guidelines for state court operations in the pandemic. As amended, it now permits local variations in a return to jury proceedings and replaces an earlier blanket statewide suspension of jury trials through at least July 17.
Updated Administrative Order AOSC20-32: Provides guidelines for state courts to move into Phase 2. As defined in the order, Phase 2 is when limited in-person contact is authorized for certain purposes in the state courts and may require protective measures.
Updated “Best Practices” Memorandum: Updates “best practices” recommended for state court operations including new guidelines on jury management, a recommended priority for resuming civil and criminal jury trials once they are authorized, and management of trial evidence during remote pretrial hearings in criminal cases.

ASOC20-51, June 15: The Florida Supreme Court issued a new administrative order extending the term through the end of the year of the COVID-19 Workgroup charged with recommending ways for a staged return to full court operations during the coronavirus pandemic.

Memorandum, June 8: The Florida Supreme Court issued a memorandum providing new guidelines for the state courts on a resumption of in-person court proceedings during the pandemic. He also amended two earlier orders about jury proceedings. The Court also amended two orders:

The first new amended order extends the current suspension of the statewide grand jury investigating school violence through July 26, 2020. It extends the current suspension of other jury proceedings including other grand juries, jury selection, and criminal and civil jury trials through July 17, 2020.
The second new amended order requires circuits in the ongoing remote civil jury trial pilot program to report findings and recommendations by October 2, 2020.

Previous Orders and News:

Press Release, June 3: Five trial-court circuits across the state chosen for civil jury trial pilot program.
No. ASOC20-35, June 1: expanded the COVID-19 Workgroup to include a member from law enforcement.
No. ASOC20-32, May 21: established health & safety precautions to be used in Phase 2 of the expansion of court operations.
No. ASOC20-31, May 21: created a new pilot program for civil jury trials using remote technology.
No. AOSC20-14, Amended May 14: amended earlier limits on court employee personal travel and reporting requirements.
Florida Supreme Court News, May 13: The Court will hold three more days of oral arguments on June 2, 3 and 4 using remote video teleconferencing.
Florida Supreme Court News, May 11: “Best Practices” guidelines on how to navigate new remote procedures used by state courts.
No. AOSC20-23, Amendment 1, May 4: expanding use of remote technology and extends suspension of jury trials until July 2.
No. AOSC20-29, April 29: suspending a requirement for in-person continuing judicial education credits.
No. AOSC20-28, April 21: creating the Workgroup on the Continuity of Court Operations and Proceedings During and After COVID-19.
Florida Supreme Court News, April 14: regarding Supreme Court oral arguments via remote video teleconferencing in May.
No. AOSC20-27, April 9: extending deadlines through May 29, 2020, in some Bar regulatory procedures governing lawyer advertising and investigations of attorney misconduct.
Case No. SC20-392, April 9: allows the chief justice to “suspend, extend, toll, or otherwise change time periods, deadlines, or standards imposed by the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, orders, or opinions” and related actions during emergencies. Read the Bar News article here.
No. AOSC20-24, April 7: extending Florida Supreme Court certified mediator education and certification deadlines.
No. AOSC20-23, April 6: suspending jury trials in Florida and extending other state legal deadlines through the end of May. Combines provisions of several previous orders into a single document, regarding applying social distancing and the use of remote technology.
No. AOSC20-22, April 1: extending deadlines for judges to report eFiling implementation.
No. AOSC20-21, March 31: extending continuing judicial education requirements.
No. AOSC20-20, March 31: extending some regulatory deadlines for court interpreters.
No. AOSC20-19, March 30: suspending speedy trial deadlines in noncriminal traffic infraction cases.
No. AOSC20-18, March 27: imposing limitations on court-ordered visitation through April 17 for children under DCF. Read the Bar News article here.
No. AOSC20-17, March 24: suspending jury trials through April 17 and a video message from Chief Justice Canady.
No. SC20-392 , March 20: suspending Florida Bar regulatory deadlines.
No. AOSC20-15, March 17: defining “essential” and “critical” court proceedings and their priority.
No. AOSC20-14, March 16: regarding personal travel by state courts system judges, officers and employees.

Clerks of Court

Stay up to date about the coronavirus and Florida’s Clerks of Court: The Clerks of Court has created a web page with links to individual clerk’s offices, and frequently updated announcements and resources.

Court-Specific Resources

Main COVID-19 page from the Office of State Courts Administrator (OSCA): Visit this page for information and updates, resources for Florida courts and important links.

Recent news and updates from OSCA: This page provides information and brief write-ups about newsworthy events happening in and around the Florida court system.

Here are direct links to Federal Courts for the state of Florida:

The National Center for State Courts has created a data visualization that provides an at-a-glance look at what state courts are doing.

Florida court websites links for members to check for court changes in their area.

April 19-23: Florida Supreme Court Teachers’ Institute – cancelled.

Bar Announcements

General Announcements

The 2020 Florida Bar Annual Convention is going virtual! Read more about it in the Bar News.

Read the latest message to members from Bar President John M. Stewart and President-elect Dori Foster-Morales, which includes important information about recent Bar activities, Convention and the upcoming Board of Governors meeting.

Check the COVID-19 Resources for Voluntary Bars page for online CLE and practice management resources.

The Florida Bar has extended the deadlines for members with three-year cycle CLE reporting in February through July to August 31, 2020.

Status of Board Certification Deadlines and Events

2020 2^nd Cycle Exams – The Florida Bar Certification Exams originally scheduled for May 7-8, 2020, have been rescheduled to September 10-11, 2020.

2020 Recertification Applications – Recertification applications have been given an additional three-month extension. The new application deadlines are: 1st cycle recertification – November 30, 2020, and 2nd cycle – January 31, 2021. Please submit your application as soon as it is complete to assist staff in processing the applications.

1^st Cycle Areas: Admiralty & Maritime; Adoption; Appellate Practice; Aviation; Civil Trial; Condo & Planned Development; Education; Elder; Immigration & Nationality; International Law; Labor & Employment; Marital & Family; Tax
2^nd Cycle Areas: Antitrust & Trade Regulation; Business Litigation; City, County, & Local Gov.; Construction; Criminal Appellate; Criminal Trial; Health; Intellectual Property; International Litigation & Arbitration; Juvenile Law; Real Estate; State and Federal Gov. & Administrative Practice; Wills, Trusts, & Estates; Workers’ Compensation

Status of Upcoming Meetings & Events

(For a full list of meetings or events impacted by COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Bar Announcements Archive.)

July 1-5: Tax Section Organizational Meeting – cancelled.

July 10-11: Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference (Orlando) – postponed to July 16-17, 2021.

Status of Upcoming CLE Events

A quick reminder, that the deadlines for members with three-year cycle CLE reporting in February through July, have been extended to August 31, 2020. Although many in-person CLEs have been cancelled, the 24/7 OnDemand CLE catalog is active and LegalFuel offers many free online CLEs that may be helpful. You can also find online CLE through the COVID-19 Resources for Voluntary Bars page.

If you were registered for any of these events, you will be contacted by The Florida Bar regarding refunds and future scheduling.

July 23-25: (3641) RPPTL Legislative Update (Palm Beach) – tentatively rescheduled to August 20-23, 2020.

August 20-23: (3526) 39th Annual Attorney Trust Officer Conference (Palm Beach) – cancelled.

Florida Board of Bar Examiners

The deadline for fall 2019 1L students to file a late student registration was extended to Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Visit the FBBE website for more information and updates.

FBBE has added a FAQ page to assist anyone with questions about Bar exams or other relevant topics.

Bar-Related Classes and Events

Check our law school directory page for direct links to Florida law schools for announcements regarding moving classes online or making cancellations.

Check with your local voluntary bar association for local event cancellations.

Member Resources

Recent News

Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company (FLMIC) has published a new online resource that examines the malpractice “danger zones” for Florida lawyers during the pandemic. “5 Legal Malpractice Danger Zones for FL Lawyers During COVID-19” addresses several practices that may be increasingly common during the pandemic but which may trigger red alerts from a risk management perspective.

Zoom/Video Conferencing:

Best Practices on Remote Appearances and Remote Hearings – Florida Supreme Court
How to Zoom Securely – LegalFuel
How to Install a Virtual Background – Florida Bar News
Maintaining Legal Decorum in the ‘New Normal’ – Special Column by Eugene K. Pettis, Florida Bar News

Check the COVID-19 Resources for Voluntary Bars page for online CLE and practice management resources.

New from LegalFuel: Considerations for Reopening Your Law Firm.

Deadlines in February through July for members with three-year cycle CLE reporting have been extended to August 31, 2020. Although many in-person CLEs have been cancelled, the 24/7 OnDemand CLE catalog is active and LegalFuel offers many free online CLEs that may be helpful. View the catalog of available programs.

The Florida Bar has temporarily expanded the Florida Free Legal Answers online legal clinic that aids qualifying members of the public as they navigate the unforeseen legal impacts that arise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteer today! (Read more in The Florida Bar News.)

The Business Law Section of The Florida Bar now has a COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Task Force, and is posting helpful information for business owners.

The Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar is posting helpful information and guidance on COVID-19 pandemic-related topics.

Some Florida Bar Sections have also developed a selection of free CLE programs related to the pandemic:

(3891) The Adaptable Attorney: Working from Home (Young Lawyers Division)
(3899) The Adaptable Attorney: Selecting the Right Remote Meeting & Collaboration Tools (Young Lawyers Division)
(3923) COVID-19: Virtual meetings, Sunshine Law and Other Issues (City, County, and Local Government Section)
(3909) The Adaptable Attorney: How to Run a Successful Zoom Meeting (Young Lawyers Division)
(3924) The Adaptable Attorney: Understanding and Using Digital Signatures (Young Lawyers Division)
(3929) Pandemic Networking: Ways to Generate Business When You’re on Lockdown (Tax Law Section)
(3937) Managing Concern, Worry, and Anxiety During COVID-19 (Tax Law Section)
(3961) COVID-19 Changes in the Federal Criminal Justice Landscape (Criminal Law Section)
(3944) Virtual Hearings – Statewide Best Practices for Local Government Land Use Hearings (ELUS, CCLG and RPPTL Sections)
(3943) Advocacy and Technology Tips When Working From Home During COVID-19 And Beyond (Business Law Section)

Federal Information

The American Bar Association launched an ABA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force and a COVID-19 webpage americanbar.org/coronavirustaskforce as a national source of information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the delivery of legal services.

The U.S. Department of Labor created a page with resources for employers and workers, including workplace safety information, guidance regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, and updates on unemployment insurance.

On March 27, Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act became law. Here is a guide to the CARES Act provided by the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. The Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Treasury have posted information on implementation. SBA also has a page called Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources that may be helpful. The SBA has posted the Interim Final Rule announcing the Paycheck Protection Program information in advance of publication in the Federal Register.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was passed in March providing for free coronavirus testing, as well as addressing emergency leave; unemployment insurance; and additional funds for Medicaid. Here are materials provided by the U.S. Department of Labor on the Act. Read the Bar News article here.

Ethics Updates

The Bar’s Ethics Hotline is available from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This service is reserved for members of the bar in good standing. Florida Bar members can also email [email protected]. Response to emails may take several days. In addition, here is a FAQ page on ethics concerns regarding the coronavirus crisis.

Volunteer Information

Florida Free Legal Answers: The Florida Free Legal Answers program offers a relatively easy way for lawyers to lend their expertise. Sign up to to quickly and easily answer questions from the public. It is easy to do, takes only a couple of minutes and can mean so much to those in need. (Read the latest on the program in the Bar News.)

Florida Pro Bono Matters is another way to assist Floridians via an interactive website funded by The Florida Bar Foundation. You can view descriptions of available pro bono opportunities and indicate an interest in any of them; you then will be contacted by the posting organization with more information.

Resources for Voluntary Bars

Check the COVID-19 Resources for Voluntary Bars page for online CLE and practice management resources.

Florida Bar Member Benefit Providers

More than a dozen Florida Bar Member Benefit providers offer free trials or initial services for Florida Bar members, including practice resources, legal forms and legal research.

Upcoming Webinars:

Free CLE Webinar from Clio – Understanding Legal Technology Competence with Bob Ambrogi and Joshua Lenon| June 9 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Free Webinar from MyCase – Reopening: What Law Firms Need To Know| June 11 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Free CLE Webinar from Clio – How to Use Automation to Increase Efficiency at Your Law Firm| July 14 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Free CLE Webinar from Clio – Mindfulness and the Practice of Law| August 11 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Other Resources:

Fastcase has launched Fastcase COVID-19 Resources page, including:
- Fastcase webinars for remote CLE credit
- COVID-19 searches on docket alarm and ongoing Docket Alarm webinars with real-time information on COVID-19 litigation as well as past recordings.
- A live feed of Law Street Media COVID-19 coverage

Law Practice Tips for Dealing With the Coronavirus

LegalFuel CLE

Mental Health and Wellness Resources

Finding Ease During Uncertainty – webinar from Jeena Cho, recorded March 23, 2020.
Mental Health Tips For Working Remotely from Rocket Matter.
Resources for coping with COVID-19.
Lawyer Well-Being Starter Kit: 10 Tools and Strategies for Legal Employers

Remote Practice Management

FLMIC: Risk Alert for Florida Lawyers on Cybersecurity
Five tips to help you run your law practice from your laptop.
Florida Bar Tech Tips page to help with technology issues while working remotely.
How to work from home as a lawyer from Clio.
E-Sign & E-Security (Free) Work-from-Home Readiness Program to Help End-Users During Crisis from RPost.
6 Tips for Lawyers Working Remotely From Home from Rocket Matter.
How to Work Remotely and Still Run a Successful Law Firm on-demand webinar from Rocket Matter.
Many Florida Bar Member Benefit partners offer free trials for Bar members.

Business Damage Survey and Bridge Loan Program

Bar members are advised to take the Business Damage Assessment survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DOE) to help them evaluate the virus’s impact on the local economy and implement appropriate relief programs. Read the Governor’s news release for more details.

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is currently available to Florida small business owners (between 2 to 100 employees) that experience economic damage as a result of COVID-19 (see news release). The business must fill out a bridge loan application. Visit FloridaDisasterLoan.org for more information and to apply.

Consumer Resources

Recent News

Florida’s Chief Justice Charles Canady distributed “Best Practices” guidelines developed by a statewide COVID-19 Workgroup to help people navigate new remote procedures used by state courts in the coronavirus pandemic.

Florida Bar Complaints

The Attorney Consumer Assistance Program is working remotely so there may be delays in processing complaints. If you feel you have been unfairly treated by a lawyer, contact ACAP at (866) 352-0707.

Legal Assistance

The Business Law Section of The Florida Bar now has a COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Task Force, and is posting helpful information for business owners.

Florida Free Legal Answers is an online advice clinic to match low-income Floridians with licensed attorneys who can answer basic legal questions at florida.freelegalanswers.org. On April 8, The Florida Bar announced that they have expanded this service to more Floridians, read more here.

Florida Bar Consumer Pamphlets: The Florida Bar’s consumer guide provides information for consumers on who to contact for legal assistance and how to protect their legal rights in the event of a disaster. The bar also provides 47 consumer pamphlets in English and Spanish as a service for consumers. These pamphlets are not a substitute for hiring an attorney, but they provide basic legal information about the topics they cover. Here is a link to the pamphlet on Landlord Tenant legal issues.

Florida Courts Help: Florida Courts Help is your guide to direct you through the court system. Here you will find information about local self-help centers, free and low-cost legal aid, and family law forms.

Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service is designed to make it easy for consumers, in counties without local lawyer referral services, to connect to trusted, verified attorneys. See the coverage area or find your local lawyer referral service here.

Florida Department of Elder Affairs Senior Hotline: The Senior Legal Helpline – 1-888-895-7873 – provides free legal advice and brief services by telephone appointment to eligible Florida residents age 60 and older, for civil (not criminal) legal problems.

Florida Legal Aid organizations: directory of legal aid organizations in Florida by county.

The Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar is posting helpful information and guidance on COVID-19 pandemic-related topics.

Financial Protection

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers resources to help consumers, students with loans and homeowners with mortgages.

Government Resources

Governor Ron DeSantis has been making regular announcements regarding the coronavirus pandemic. Check his website for the latest news.

The Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services has created a COVID-19 page with for info on the CARES Act, SBA loans for small businesses, USDA crop insurance updates, and more.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is posting information about reemployment assistance and other programs.

Price gouging: State law prohibits extreme increases in the price of essential commodities needed as a direct result of an officially declared emergency. Anyone who suspects price gouging during this declared state of emergency should report it to the Attorney General’s Office by calling (866) 9-NO-SCAM. Attorney General Ashley Moody has activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline for Florida consumers. Find out more on the myfloridalegal.com website.

Cybersecurity Consumer Alert: Attorney General Moody sent a consumer alert advising those working from home to guard against hackers and scammers that could access sensitive information on home computers. Read more here.

Florida Department of Health is posting updates and helpful information, and has created a resource kit.

Deadlines to file and pay federal income taxes were extended to July 15, 2020 by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), go to IRS.gov to get more tax resources and information about taxpayer relief.

Coronavirus Control & Prevention

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Please make sure you read the following information on the CDC’s website:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warns about fake coronavirus outbreak map being circulated by scammers to spread malware. Only Johns Hopkins is providing this data.