Due to the growing Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia concerns surrounding COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus), we feel it is prudent to make this announcement publicly on our website and through social media. 

Effective immediately, the attorneys at Goodwin Weber PLLC will be halting all in-person client and prospective client meetings in our Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Chincoteague Island, Virginia, offices. 

Until we are directed further, we intend to appear on behalf of all law firm clients for court proceedings that have already been scheduled. 

However, it should be noted that the federal trial courts – and we anticipate soon the local county courts – will be issuing general orders postponing all court matters.  Thus far, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia – including all of Northern Virginia and all of the Virginia Eastern Shore – has issued an order postponing all non-serious criminal matters until April 30, 2020. 

We intend to continue practicing law and serving our clients in Maryland and Virginia on an ongoing basis, including rendering prompt legal advice. 

We have robust teleconference and video conference technology available to us, and will be continuing to schedule meetings with clients virtually.  Certain client services – particularly the execution of Wills, and serving as Notary Publics, will be held in abeyance, as these documents must be executed in person. 

In exceptional, life-threatening circumstances, we are willing to discuss with existing clients and their families the options that may be available to execute Wills or other legal documents during this trying time.  The options will vary depending on what jurisdiction is involved, as each of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia have different procedures for execution of documents during public emergencies. 

Ultimately, because our law practice is so heavily focused on estates and trust law, and as a result, many of our clients are at risk of infection, we believe the decision to close our offices to in-person meetings is prudent.  Ultimately, the health and safety of our clients and legal staff is our utmost concern. 

We recognize that this situation is evolving daily, and we are committed to an open channel of communication with all of our clients, particularly as new information arises.

Please always feel free to contact any of the attorneys or staff at our law firm either by email or telephone.  We will remain responsive to client matters as this difficult situation continues to develop. 

We thank you for trusting us with your most important legal and life matters. 

GOODWIN WEBER PLLC