ABCs of Lawyering During the Pandemic

By Joyvan Malbon-Griffin, Esq., Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company

March 2021

Let’s face facts – COVID-19 came in like a wrecking ball. Parents have become teachers, ballet practices are on iPads, the sports world has a void as large as a black hole and reality tv has come to a screeching halt. And then there’s the practicing attorney. Working from home, taking calls in between our kids’ naps, trying to scan discovery requests on our 16-year-old scanners – it can be one stressful time. Many attorneys are concerned about their clients, how to pay overhead expenses and potential claims. Just remember to follow the ABCs of Lawyering During the Pandemic:

A – A voicemail or email is just as important now as it was when you were in the office. Don’t forget to check and return voicemails and emails promptly.

B - Be sure to have an electronic and written calendar for deadlines. Don’t give opposing counsel an advantage by showing the court you couldn’t respond to discovery in a timely fashion.

C - Call your malpractice insurance company the moment you think you might have missed a deadline, given incorrect information to a client, or anything else that could result in a claim. You don’t want to get denied for failure to timely report.

History has shown us that times will get better eventually. Hang in there and know that Minnesota Lawyers Mutual is here to help if you have any questions regarding malpractice insurance. Together, we can make a difference.

Joyván Malbon-Griffin, Esq. is a Regional Director and Claims Attorney with Minnesota Lawyers Mutual. She received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA and her Juris Doctor degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham, NC. Prior to joining MLM, Joyván practiced complex civil litigation in state and federal court. She was also an adjunct professor at Bryant & Stratton College where she taught Contracts Law and vast array of other legal classes. She is a member and the International Deputy Legal Advisor for Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. Additionally, Joyván is a member of the James Kent Inns of Court, a CLE Committee member of the Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association and a member of the Metro Richmond Women’s Bar Association.