ABA Committee on Special Masters Seeks Feedback on COVID-19-Related Checklist

The American Bar Association Judicial Division Lawyers Conference’s Committee on Special Masters has put out a call for feedback on the draft “Checklist for Making Use of Special Masters to Help Deal with the New Normal” that was issued in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  A copy of a letter that was recently distributed by several committee members, including Disputing‘s own Karl Bayer, is included below:

I am a member of the American Bar Association Judicial Division Lawyers Conference’s Committee on Special Masters.  As the current national health crisis has created a great strain on courts and limited the services they can currently provide, our Committee has been asked to assist judges and court administrators by offering resources and ideas on how special masters might be used to help deal with the situation.

In January 2019, the American Bar Association adopted Guidelines on the Appointment and Use of Special Masters in Federal and State Civil Litigation.  These Guidelines are available at https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/images/news/2019mymhodres/100.pdf and the Report that accompanies them addresses many aspects of how special masters can be used.

Attached to this e-mail is an informal “Checklist” or self-assessment tool to help courts determine how Special Masters might address some of the current emergent needs.  The “Checklist” also includes a listing of additional resources.  This draft is currently under discussion at the ABA, but in the interest both of getting feedback and providing information, we are circulating it for people’s use and thoughts.

This video also provides an informative introduction to the ABA Guidelines and expanded use of Special Masters.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can assist you in identifying resources.

The “Checklist” mentioned in the email above may be downloaded here.  If you have any questions about the “Checklist” or how to successfully utilize a Special Master, please contact Karl’s scheduling team at (512) 345-8537.

Photo by: Bill Oxford on Unsplash