Page 5 - Delaware Lawyer - Fall 2020

EDITOR’S NOTE
The essence of a society is shown most sharply when it confronts the worst conditions.
Over nine months, as the world has faced stress, disease, death and privation unprecedented in peacetime, Delaware’s strengths and flaws have come into focus. Civic leadership — in public health, the Governor’s office, the Judiciary, hospi- tals, school authorities — acted decisively to reduce contagion, adjusting policy at a measured pace, as the threats have evolved. Many large employers have, sometimes at significant cost, taken steps to protect their employees and customers.
Yet, some elements of the public have resisted admonitions. In some industries, workers returned to needed paychecks and increased risk, landing the state on quarantine lists.
Fourteen months ago, Delaware’s most prominent citizen argued for proactive leadership. “We are not prepared for a pan- demic,” observed the next President of the United States, half a year before the virus became known. “We need leadership that builds public trust, focuses on real threats, and mobilizes the world to stop outbreaks before they reach our shores.” Now poised to become America’s 46th President, he will introduce Delaware’s focus, empiricism, pragmatism and respect to this epidemic and world leadership.
Withal, the administration of justice necessarily slowed, but could not stop. In this issue, nine members of the legal community describe how the virus changed their lives and work as they strove to serve clients, the public and their families.
Bonnie David, practicing corporate litigation with two tod- dlers nearby, suggests that this year’s workplace changes will have staying power. Stephanie Riley, amid similar challenges, describes the importance of adaptability and personal relationships.
Denise Nordheimer, a trusts and estates practitioner, illustrates the epidemic’s effect on a clientele for whom mor- tality is central to the call to their lawyer.
Doug MacGray, who deploys his legal experience as a financial planner, narrates how the chance for reflection can lead to peace of mind. For Doug Cummings, the stress has strength- ened his commitment to the best of the American spirit.
Trisha McGinnis, a paralegal in public service, relates how watching her young son helped her adapt to digesting discovery amid the new norm.
Chief Judge Mike Newell explains how the Family Court strove to maintain its services to the state’s most vulnerable citizens and others in need of its judicial process.
Sean O’Sullivan, chief of community relations for the courts, describes how the Judiciary transformed its practices and its facilities to continue its work while protecting its staff and the public.
And Richard “Shark” Forsten cautions skepticism toward received wisdom, even if it is merely weeks old.
Charles J. Durante
Charles J. Durante
Join or Renew Your Membership to the Delaware Bar Foundation
The Delaware Bar Foundation serves to improve the administration of justice in Delaware and to fund programs that enhance public respect for the law and foster knowledge
of citizenship rights and responsibilities. Administering IOLTA for the Supreme Court of Delaware, the Foundation has provided over $28 million to fund legal services for those less fortunate. Despite this year’s unprecedented stay-at-home orders, resulting economic effects and canceled events, the Foundation supported various programs including:
Administering www.DELegalHelpLink.org — a website to guide those in need of civil legal services
Partnering with Howard High School
of Technology to create job shadowing and diversity pipeline programs to give real world legal experiences to over 100 attorneys
Publishing and providing Delaware Lawyer magazine free to members of the Delaware Bar
Supporting Liberty Day to provide fifth graders in Delaware public schools with lessons about the Constitution
Granting funding for student meals during this year’s High School Mock Trial Competition and a trial advocacy institute for Delaware public interest attorneys
Administering grants for mortgage foreclosure legal assistance from Bank of America
Please help us with a donation. VISIT WWW.DELAWAREBARFOUNDATION.ORG & click DONATE. Thank you!
FALL 2020 DELAWARE LAWYER 3