The world is grappling with an issue of enormous scale and human impact, and our hearts go out to all who have been affected by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Here at Pacific Cascade Legal, we believe it is our role and responsibility during this time to shape our response by prioritizing these three objectives:
- Ensuring the safety, health and well-being of our clients, employees and communities we serve.
- Protecting and advocating for our clients with vigilance and courage informed by the latest science-based information and guided by our mission and values.
- Playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials, court systems and government leaders as they work to contain the virus.
We also understand that life continues, and important family law matters can’t always wait to be resolved. It is through this prism of at times competing factors that I wanted to personally reach out to you and provide an update on the actions that Pacific Cascade Legal has taken to help prevent the spread of the virus, support the health and well-being of our clients, employees and communities and to continue to maintain the highest standards of advocacy, legal assistance and protection of our clients’ best interests.
We have taken a series of precautionary steps in response to this developing public health condition, both technological and personal. These include:
Promoting regular teleworking across our organization. This allows us to maintain our full range of services to clients while at the same time helping to reduce the risk of intraoffice virus transition. Giving our employees an opportunity to work remotely from home when indicated also helps ensure social distancing without reducing any of our services or capacity to do our jobs. Reducing personal contact helps to keep our firm operating at full capacity, while our employees remain safe and contribute to the overall positive health and well-being of the communities we work in.
Increasing the variety of teleconferencing and other electronic communication options between ourselves and our clients. By using virtual conferences and meetings such as phone consultations, video conferencing, screen sharing, docusigning, Skype, Zoom and Go To Meeting applications, we can continue to aggressively pursue our clients’ matters without interruption or delay and at the same time remain vigilant in protecting our clients’ safety.
Increasing cleaning and sanitizing procedures in all of our offices. Because contamination on surfaces touched by employees and clients is one of the main ways that coronavirus spreads, we are making sure our workplaces are clean and hygienic. We have instituted procedures to regularly wipe and use disinfectants on surfaces (such as desks and tables) and objects (telephones, keyboards, etc.). We have also put sanitizing hand rub dispensers in prominent places around the workplace and make sure these dispensers are regularly refilled. We also make sure that employees, clients and visitors have access to places where they can wash their hands with soap and water.
Coordinating with our state courts’ and local government agencies’ coronavirus policies and plans. Being in close contact and coordination with the court systems and agencies that we regularly interact with, can ensure that all of your ongoing or new matters continue to be prosecuted effectively and efficiently while also being able to respect your safety and health concerns. Working closely with the courts also allows us to react quickly to changes made at their level and make sure your cases are not adversely affected.
We appreciate your understanding that, as a client, your experience with Pacific Cascade Legal offices may look different for a time being, as we navigate together through this moment. We are also confident that these new procedures allow us to readily adapt to this dynamic situation and better allow us to continue providing our clients and communities with the highest level of legal services, all the while keeping your safety, health and well-being as our highest priority.
I want to also thank you for supporting our attorneys and employees who proudly work in your best interests. We have a long-standing history of caring for everyone who works here and recognize that they are the heart and soul of Pacific Cascade Legal. Through our sick leave benefits and mental health offerings, we work to make certain that they do not need to feel as if they need to choose between their health and their work.
Thank you for being a loyal client. It is our intent to remain transparent and provide you with the latest information we have. We also welcome any questions or concerns that you may have.
We are privileged to serve you and your community, and we look forward to working together with you through these difficult times.
Best regards,
Pacific Cascade Legal