Resources and COVID-19 protocol from the St. Pete Bar, The Florida Bar, The Florida Supreme Court and the Sixth Judicial Circuit. 

As the St. Petersburg Bar Association continues to support bar members by offering ongoing resources, this page provides updates from the courts as well as pertinent information related to working remotely, Florida Bar ethical obligations, staff protocol, IT security, and software support. We encourage members to review this page for daily/weekly updates. If we can provide additional support, please contact Executive Director Melissa Byers at mbyers@stpetebar.com

St. Petersburg Bar Association

Back to Work/Reopening Checklist - Click here

State of Florida, Office of the Governor

Executive Order 20-91: Essential Services and Activities
During COVID-19 Emergency
Click here

Executive Order 20-137: Limited Extension of Mortgage
Foreclosure and Eviction Relief
Click here

The Sixth Judicial Circuit

Click here

To review all court updates including the additional
procedures that will go into effect Monday, March 23, 2020
Click here

Administrative Order No. 2020-009 PA/PI-CIR
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC (COVID-19) - No Bond for
Quarantine/Isolation Violation
from Sixth Circuit Chief Judge Anthony Rondolino - signed 3/27/20
Click here

Administrative Order No. 2020-008 PA/PI-CIR
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC (COVID-19)
from Sixth Circuit Chief Judge Anthony Rondolino - signed 3/17/2020
Click here

The Florida Supreme Court

ALL Florida Court COVID Emergency Orders are linked
to this Florida Supreme Court webpage
Click here

AOSC20-32 - Amendment 1 - IN RE: COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH 
AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR PHASE 2 
Signed 6/16/20 
Click here

AOSC20-23 - Amendment 4 - IN RE: COMPREHENSIVE COVID-19
EMERGENCY MEASURES FOR THE FLORIDA STATE COURTS
Signed 6/16/20
Click here

MEMORANDUM - UPDATED "BEST PRACTICES" FOR PANDEMIC
COURT OPERATIONS
Signed 6/16/20
Click here

AOSC20-51 IN RE: WORKGROUP ON THE CONTINUITY OF 
COURT OPERATIONS AND PROCEEDINGS DURING AND
AFTER COVID-19
Signed 6/15/20
Click here

AOSC20-32 IN RE: COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS FOR PHASE 2 
Signed 5/21/20
Click here

AOSC20-23 - Amendment 2 - IN RE: COMPREHENSIVE COVID-19
EMERGENCY MEASURES FOR THE FLORIDA STATE COURTS
Signed 5/21/20
Click here

AOSC20-23 - Amendment 1 - IN RE: COMPREHENSIVE COVID-19 
EMERGENCY MEASURES FOR THE FLORIDA STATE COURTS 
Signed 5/4/2020
Click here

AOSC20-23 In RE: COMPREHENSIVE COVID-19 
EMERGENCY MEASURES FOR THE FLORIDA STATE COURTS 
Signed 4/6/2020
Click here

AOSC20-24 In RE: ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
EDUCATIONAL AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Signed 4/7/20
Click here

AOSC20-13 In RE: COVID-19 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES IN
THE FLORIDA STATE COURTS
Signed 3/13/2020
Click here

The Florida Bar

The Florida Bar President's Message 

Click Here for Message from The Florida Bar President John Stewart
Regarding Law Firms as “Essential Businesses” and the Safer at
Home Order 4/3/20

We’ve heard from a number of members who have questions about the statewide Safer at Home Executive Order 20-91, issued on April 1 by Governor Ron DeSantis, as to its application to the legal profession.

The Executive Committee of The Florida Bar Board of Governors met on March 23 and took a position that law firms are essential businesses, either entirely or when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities. The Bar’s position respectfully requested that any state, city and county protective pandemic protocols include a statement that law firms are essential businesses either entirely or when “necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities” especially when time-sensitive legal work is necessary to assist the public in solving urgent needs during these unusual times. On March 27, I sent a letter to the Governor’s General Counsel regarding this request.

The Safer at Home Executive Order 20-91 refers to essential services and activities. Although specifics are not provided regarding provision of legal services, you should carefully review this, and all other relevant orders, and use your best judgment to determine whether your work meets the mandates of the order. The Governor said he has received questions about the meaning of essential activities under his Safer at Home order. “It’s less important what you do, than how you do it,” DeSantis said, and he went on to say that the goal is to avoid close contact with people outside your home to reduce the transmission rate. The Governor also advised that local municipalities can place more stringent restrictions than the statewide order, so we must be vigilant to assure we’re meeting state and local requirements.

We stress that the absolute best course to take at this time is to work remotely using electronic communications and to avoid in-person contact as directed. When that isn’t possible, you should follow the health and safety guidelines issued by national state and local health officials (posted on our COVID-19 webpage) concerning proper hygiene, social distancing, and other recommended protocols.

A Message from TFB President John Stewart 3/20/20
Click here

Ethical Considerations for Florida Attorneys 
The Florida Bar has added a FAQ page on ethics concerns regarding the 
coronavirus crisis -  Visit the page here. The Bar’s Ethics Hotline will be 
available from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This service 
is reserved for members of the bar in good standing. The hotline has very 
limited staffing at this time, so you may experience a long hold time. 

Updates and information from The Florida Bar on COVID-19
Click here

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office

Professional Visitation Changes (attorneys)
for video visitation
Click here


Seminars

B-Connected Seminars 
The St. Pete Bar has partnered with the Broward County Bar Association to 
offer "B-Connected" a library of recorded CLE's to help educate in various 
issues attorneys and law firms face at this time. Webinars are provided in
different areas of law at a discounted rate to SPBA members. Click here 
for more information.

ABA Seminars
The ABA has a collection of CLE seminars on COVID-19
which are free for ABA Members. For more information:
Click here

Onepath Seminar - COVID-19 Security & Business Risks of Teleworking
Here's a link to the recording for your reference.

ATTICUS Seminar - 10 Ways Law Firms Can Prepare
A Free CLE - View the recording and download the materials
Click here


Your Staff

Tips for Office Staff and Procedures
A Message from Employment Law Chair Meredith Gaunce 
Click here


Programs and Other Information

For Small Business Resources including CARES Act information
from the Department of Management Services, State of Florida
Click Here 

Small Business Overview of Available Loans
Click here


Florida Department of Health

Florida Department of Health
Up to date information on COVID-19
Click here
Inquiries may be emailed to: COVID-19@flheath.gov