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Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Small Firms
With COVID-19 causing governments to recommend (if not compel) “remote only” or virtual work for businesses across the world, law firms of all sizes need adapt to these changed circumstances. On one hand, small firms may be able to dynamically adapt and react more easily by the very nature of their smaller size. However, small firms will often not possess the resources to implement technological changes on a firm-wide scale. Additionally, they may also face more difficult staffing choices, particularly with new policies (rightly so) mandating paid sick leave for those affected by COVID-19. With these limitations in mind, what strategies have small firms adapted for “virtual” modes? What resources exist for the solo practitioner or small firm to adopt in these challenging times? Are there already lessons to be learned? What works and what does not? This webinar will provide some answers to these questions and encourage a dialogue among those in virtual attendance.
Speakers:
Charles Lee Mudd Jr. is the founder and principal of Mudd Law, a firm recognized internationally for its Internet and space focused litigation and transactional practice. As a corollary to representing space law clients, he advocates developing inclusive and sustainable space policy. This September, he served on a panel at the United Nations Conference on Space Law and Policy in Istanbul, Turkey. Charles regularly speaks and teaches Internet and space law. He is a founding member of the Internet Law Leadership Summit; holds memberships in the AAS, AIAA, and ISBA; and, serves on the boards of NewSpace Chicago and ITechLaw.
Claire Bernier, Founding Partner, ADSTO, France
Claire has extensive experience in information technology and data protection law. She is highly experienced in civil and criminal litigation including before specialized bodies (CNIS -National Commission of Employees’ inventions, CNIL – French Data Protection Authority) as well as in alternative dispute resolution in the IT field (mediation or arbitration). She has in depth knowledge in White-collar crime Law notably cybercrime (security breach and notification, or e-reputation). Claire participates to the continuous training of French lawyers and magistrates on cybercrime and cybersecurity. She also gives lecture to judicial cybersecurity experts on cybercrime expertise procedure. She is highly recommended in legal practitioners guides in “Intellectual Property”, “information technologies”, “online issues”, “personal data”, “white-collar crime particularly cybercrime”. She is currently mentioned in the most reputed legal guides such as Chambers Europe, Legal 500, Best Lawyers, Who’s who and Leader’s league. In 2016, Claire graduated from the INHESJ (National Institute for Higher Studies on Security and Justice) and in 2018 she was appointed member of the AGORA 41, a multidisciplinary and original think tank bringing together 41 personalities around the stakes of the digital transformation, launched by the ANSSI (the National Agency of Information Systems Security, a French State service attached to the General Secretariat for Defense and National Security) - she is part of the "Regulatory" Working Group.
Anette Beebe, Principal, Beebe Law, United States
Ms. Beebe has worked in the legal field for over 21 years, spending the last seven and a half years in the capacity of In-House Counsel, now General Counsel, for Xcentric Ventures, LLC which operates one of the oldest consumer complaint forums known as RipoffReport.com. Finding a love for the space where traditional business and the internet collide, Ms. Beebe formed a solo practice in late 2012 that caters primarily to businesses that operate online and individuals who have concerns about online content. Additionally, in her spare time, she works to educate youth and adults about repercussions from internet use through public speaking engagements and online courses through her company Smarter Internet Use. Ms. Beebe is member of the Internet Lawyers Leadership Summit group, a Co-Chair of the Digital Communications Committee within the American Bar Association's Forum on Communications Law, a member of the First Amendment Coalition, and a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals. Last April (2019) Ms. Beebe was involved with efforts to maintain the Texas Citizens Participation Act (the Texas anti-SLAPP law) and had a hand in the redraft of the modified law. Ms. Beebe regularly speaks on internet law related topics and has been interviewed, in her different capacities, by many major news publications.
