Law firms have been developing ‘COVID Co-opts’ with attorneys who normally would be in competition with each other. Schlesinger Law Group founder Michael Schlesinger in Miami has joined forces with Mark Raymond of Nelson Mullins and other attorneys to offer free legal advice to clients, friends of clients, and others — particularly those confused about the payroll relief act and how to tackle layoffs and furloughs.

Raymond said he’s seen a sense of collegiality between lawyers who’ve agreed to put less important cases aside to focus on more pressing issues — like providing pro bono assistance to people with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems who’ve been detained by immigration authorities.

Schlesinger and Raymond said COVID-19 has shown their colleagues that work is not life.

“People are hurting, and tending to their needs far outstrips the need to file another document in the court,” Raymond said.