“We are in this together” has been the mantra of many during this pandemic crisis. I don’t know if all feel the same way, but what I do know is the courts and the lawyers need to definitely be “in this together” as we move forward with respect to court proceedings.

We are facing a significant backlog of cases in every division. This backlog has no boundaries nor discriminates in any manner as to type of action. Justice Charles Canady of the Florida Supreme Court, by Administrative Order SC20-28 on April 21, established a work group for the courts in order to develop findings and recommendations for the continuation of court operations and proceedings. He had the keen foresight to be proactive on this crisis today and considerations post-pandemic. The work group, comprised of judges, clerks, OSCA staff, a sheriff, a public defender, a state attorney and a civil trial lawyer, assisted Canady via recommendations for the courts to continue operations filling duties while under the handicap of being closed to the public. It’s been my honor to serve on the work group.