Two more BigLaw employees diagnosed with COVID-19, including a partner in critical condition
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Large law firms continue to grapple with the new coronavirus as employees are diagnosed with the illness.
A partner with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz in Louisiana was hospitalized in critical condition with COVID-19, Law.com reports. The partner, 45-year-old Mark Frilot, was put in critical care after he was diagnosed with the virus and with double pneumonia, his wife, Heaven Frilot, told NOLA.com.
Heaven Frilot said Wednesday that her husband was dealing with a few setbacks and he may have to stay on a ventilator for another week, NOLA.com reports in a separate story.
Baker Donelson confirmed that a member of its Louisiana offices had received the diagnosis, but did not confirm his identity.
No one else at the law firm has been affected at this time, the law firm said in a statement. The firm closed its offices in New Orleans and Mandeville, Louisiana, through March 23. Lawyers and staff members there are working remotely.
According to Law.com, Baker Donelson is encouraging employees in its 19 other offices to work from home.
Baker Donelson general counsel John Hicks told Law.com the firm has been cooperating with New Orleans health officials to notify people who may have been in contact with Frilot. Firm employees who had recent contact with Frilot took coronavirus tests.
Heaven Frilot and her son were in self-quarantine, she told NOLA.com. Mark Frilot is a construction litigator.
An employee with another law firm had been diagnosed with COVID-19, Law.com reports in a separate story.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius confirmed an employee in its Philadelphia office had the virus but did not reveal her identity. The employee had been in contact with a client who had COVID-19.
Morgan Lewis offices remain open, although employees may voluntarily work at home for the next two weeks.
A third law firm, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, shut down its New York office on March 9 after a partner tested positive for COVID-19.
Story updated on March 19 with new third paragraph.
