To our clients, colleagues, and community:

The Corona virus and our interactions with it have created a great deal of uncertainty in the world, in our communities, and likely in our own homes. We would like to clarify our plan of action at this time as well as provide some words of encouragement and helpful reminders:

Our Plan of Action: After completing research on the virus itself and the way it may affect a given community, Gant Law will be voluntarily participating in social distancing in the following ways: as has been requested by our local courts, from today until at least April 1, 2020, all court appearances and client conferences will be attended via phone. Any contested hearings will be rescheduled.

To avoid spreading the virus to those in our shared office, we will limit all in-office appearances. Thus, we ask that, wherever possible, you send in any documents and payments electronically rather than by standard mail or drop off.

On April 1, 2020, we will reassess this policy and may extend it.

Reminder: At times like this, we are confronted with opportunities for fear but also presented with opportunities for compassion, innovation, and strength. Look for the helpers. And if you need help, please reach out to your community and ask.

One simple way we can all help each other is by paying special attention to the language we use with one another. As a firm focusing on probate, elder law, family law, and criminal defense, we are particularly aware of the difficulties language can create: from ambiguous Wills and disagreements on medical treatment, to hurtful texts between spouses and alienation of children, to misunderstood “confessions” and false allegations. Language is one of humanities greatest tools for better or worse.

We all know that social media provides ample opportunity to use language in negative ways that we wouldn’t otherwise use in person. When, due to shut-downs and self-quarantines, even more of our communication necessarily turns to social media and other virtual platforms, we would do well to be vigilant about the language we use on these platforms.

Here are three simple rules that you can use to deescalate issues with language:

1.       Curiosity over Correction: Before you tell someone they are wrong, get curious about their statements and beliefs. Investigate before you make a determination. Rather than stating “You need to do your homework before you post things like this,” consider asking questions: “Can you tell me more about where you learned this? I am surprised by the results.”

2.       Method over Conclusion: When you’ve learned something you feel is important, you may find it more persuasive to present the material you have learned and then allow others to draw their own conclusions from it, rather than telling them what to think about it. There is so much information flying around; presenting it as 100% fact may be difficult for others to hear. Why not say “I found this interesting, and it makes sense to me,” as opposed to “People need to wake up and read the truth”? Do you see how one is much more likely to invite productive participation?

3.       Respect over Rightness: When we feel passionate about sharing our opinions, if we dig deep to examine why, we may find that fear is at the root of it. We are afraid that if others don’t understand and believe as we understand and believe, something negative will result.

If we are right, then how much more important is it to actually get people to listen as opposed to offending them? In all our language, if our goal is truly to persuade others, then above all else, we must be respectful. When was the last time you truly listened to someone who was being disrespectful to you? For many of us (maybe even most of us) rude language completely dissuades us from listening.

Thus, now is not the time for name-calling, for hyperbole, for sarcasm, for passive aggression. Now is not the time to use put-downs in any form in order to try to prove yourself right. Now, perhaps more than ever, is a time for respect.

We invite all within our community to listen before speaking, to learn before teaching, and to look for ways to help at this time.