The Georgia Court of Appeals is currently considering whether contingency-fee attorneys, who lost work during the COVID-19 pandemic, were eligible to receive unemployment benefits under the CARES Act. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for legal professionals operating on a contingency fee basis during unprecedented times of societal upheaval or economic downturn.
Shimshon Wexler, a DeKalb-based attorney, is at the heart of the case. As the pandemic forced a shutdown of schools nationwide, Wexler found himself in the role of primary caregiver for his three children, causing his legal work to take an unplanned back seat. Wexler’s attorney provided a vivid example of the challenges faced by many professionals trying to balance work and caretaking responsibilities during the pandemic. During one attempt to participate in a remote hearing, Wexler was continually interrupted by his children knocking at the door, making it impossible for him to focus.
The Court of Appeals’ decision in this case may set a crucial precedent for future crises that impact the balance between work and family life, particularly for those professionals whose income is not guaranteed by a regular salary. Meanwhile, for many legal professionals like Wexler, navigating the implications of the pandemic and subsequent economic downturn has proved to be a formidable task of its own.
For more details on this ongoing topic, you can read up on the case here.