COVID-19 Status Updates

March 17, 2020:  Out of concern for the health and safety to our colleagues and clients, Nyemaster Goode’s offices in Des Moines, Ames and Cedar Rapids have invoked our Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans to ensure our continued operation and uninterrupted service to our clients.  A majority of our staff and attorneys are working remotely in a secured environment to meet the needs of our clients.

Our attorneys and staff have secure, remote access to all our systems consistent with our longstanding data privacy and security policies.

While our offices are closed to visitors, mail and deliveries are being routed to their intended parties. We anticipate no interruption in business for our clients.

Contact information for all of our attorneys can be found here.

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March 12, 2020:  After the COVID-19 outbreak occurred in China, we began reviewing and implementing applicable provisions of our established Disaster Recovery Plan. Among other things, in regard to a health crisis, the Plan outlines specific steps Nyemaster Goode takes to safeguard employees’ health and well-being, while ensuring the Firm’s ability to maintain essential operations and continue providing convenient and accessible services to our clients.

In alignment with the threat assessment protocols of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we have activated our Emergency Management Team as outlined in our Plan. Consisting of senior members of our Executive Committee and legal management staff, this team is addressing uninterrupted provision of professional services, active and ongoing disease surveillance, workforce protection and management, supply chain management and risks, travel, and facility access restrictions.

As of March 12, the following actions related to COVID-19 are in place and continuing:

• We are engaged in active and ongoing monitoring, specifically: disease progression, country and WHO responses, and prevention and containment measures.
• We have asked our team to be assiduous in following best practices for protecting health. Employees who are ill are asked to stay home.
• We have implemented employee travel restrictions. Anyone who has traveled to or through any restricted countries or locales will be asked to work from home for 14 days. We may expand this restriction as matters unfold.
• As for work-related travel, only “business critical” travel will occur. If a conference, hearing, or other meeting can be rescheduled or held by video or otherwise electronically, it will be. We have robust technology in place to facilitate video meetings and telecommunicating.

These are challenging times and Nyemaster Goode is ready to help you navigate them. Contact your Nyemaster Goode attorney with any questions about how the pandemic could affect your business or personal interests.