Daily Case Checks and Seminars Online... Lawyers' Ways to Avoid COVID-19

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Lawyer A, who is active in Seocho-dong, these days reaches for his smartphone first thing every morning. This is to check an app that organizes the movement paths of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and to read the news.

He said, "I have to check every day to see if the area I need to go for work might be on the path of a confirmed case." Another lawyer B, who was scheduled to meet a client somewhere in Seoul, felt heavy-hearted from the day before going. He complained, "I am anxious because there is a restaurant nearby where a confirmed case had been."

As COVID-19 rapidly spreads nationwide, the legal community is also suffering a significant blow. Not only courts and prosecutors but also law firms and lawyers running private offices are finding it difficult to carry out their work. Especially due to the nature of their work, which involves a wide range of activities such as meeting clients and collecting evidence, lawyers are considered to be among the most affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in the legal sector.

Large law firms, which have relatively many lawyers and handle major cases, are also on high alert. First, these law firms are urging their lawyers to strictly follow basic safety guidelines. They have asked them to pay attention to hygiene, such as washing hands frequently, and to always carry masks. Additionally, law firm offices are disinfected daily, and consultations with clients are conducted with understanding, encouraging minimal contact whenever possible. They are using other methods such as smartphone messengers or conferences. Although most comply well, some law firms report concerns about a few lawyers who do not consistently carry masks.

The law firm 'Taepyungyang' recently experienced tension when one of its staff showed suspected COVID-19 symptoms, but they breathed a sigh of relief after the diagnostic test came back negative. Meanwhile, Taepyungyang attracted attention by holding a seminar in the form of an online broadcast called a 'webinar.' The firm held a seminar on the 25th of last month titled 'Key Contents and Future Issues of the Revised Data 3 Laws,' which was conducted online rather than offline.

Initially, they had prepared to hold it offline, but considering the COVID-19 spread situation, they changed their plan. They even considered canceling it, but due to a large number of pre-registrations, cancellation was difficult. After much deliberation, Taepyungyang decided to broadcast it online through their official website in real time. It is said that more than 300 people accessed and watched the seminar.

In this way, lawyers are also struggling with the COVID-19 outbreak. Recently, courts decided to adjourn and postpone major trials one after another, which gave some lawyers a moment to breathe. They are said to be focusing on 'strengthening work' such as re-examining documents for trials that will be held again someday. On the other hand, lawyers who need to proceed with trials quickly are under great pressure. It is known that lawyers mainly handling claims and corporate rehabilitation cases are feeling frustrated.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.