Thank you Judge for sharing that information. You are so right that this pandemic has a silver lining in allowing us to sit back a little and take stock of our practice and what is really "important". I was talking with a colleague when we both opined that the pace of work has been great, more time for family, eating meals at reasonable times and a good nights rest. Of course the stress of maintaining a business and paying employees was somewhat of an offset. The stress you are facing as a family law practitioner we are all facing. Its not just your phone that is not ringing. My guess is that in a month from now most of us will be busier than we have in along time. As my mother said April showers bring May flowers. I also have seen the increased professionalism and caring in communications. The opening line in almost all emails is "I hope you and your family are well" before getting down to business. The collaboration of zoom, slack, Microsoft team (which as of two weeks ago I thought was a batman emoji, my lazy cousin and a softball team) we are all coming together. Praise be we have at long last, e-filing in the family part. I filed a cross motion today, by myself, and it was easy as pie. I don't write here very often but Judge Jones email reminded me that we have a lot to be thankful for even in these dark times. So lets buckle down for the next few weeks, stay home, stay safe, wear masks, wash your hands, social distance and before you know it we will be out an about again hopefully getting into yet again another new normal.
Happy holidays.
------------------------------
Timothy McGoughran Esq.
Past Chair, Family Law Section
Treasurer, NJSBA
Law Office of Timothy F. McGoughran, LLC
(732)660-7115
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-08-2020 14:24
From: Lawrence Jones
Subject: Materials
Dear Attorneys, Judges, Support Staff, NJSBA members, and all others :
1) In response to requests for the template for the COVID-19 ADR proposed consent order I developed which was discussed/'presented as part of the recent various NJICLE, NJAJ and NJAPM Covid-19 webinars over the past weeks, a link to the document is attached. Anyone who is serving as a mediator or attorney in a case may feel free to consider the format and tailor the document as necessary to fit the specifications of your case. Hopefully this will be of assistance to you. The link is
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1oWcASjGmISTrH_ROHiiDXxLpMGXGDWrg. Hopefully this will be of some assistance to you. Regarding paragraph 3, there is no requirement to use Zoom; you can use any platform which all parties and counsel feel comfortable using for conference/caucus purposes.
2) Additionally, there have been recent requests for the Point C five minute child custody video which I initially developed and presented at Judicial College in 2014 and which has been used in different mediums/contexts thereafter. The you tube link to the video is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4eNVDtGdTs. Many have indicated that this video was very helpful to show to litigants in highly contentious custody cases. Hopefully this will be of some assistance to you as well.
Finally, as we continue to jointly navigate our ways through these unprecedented challenges, I want to note that there is usually a silver lining in every dark cloud. It is my personal observation that since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the professional courtesy and cooperation being currently demonstrated throughout the legal profession is at the highest level that I have ever experienced.
The very best of continued luck and health to all. And for those who celebrate Easter, Passover, or any other holiday of any kind in the upcoming weeks, Happy Holidays to you and your families.
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. Jones