When it comes to figuring out what to do with your law firm in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are two things lawyers should be thinking about: Who has legal needs and an ability to pay.

Some states, including Illinois and Indiana, have labeled lawyers essential workers who can still go into their offices amid stay-at-home orders aimed at halting the spread of the coronavirus.

“The whistleblower often comes to us in pretty bad shape,” attorney Stephen Kohn says. “He’s at risk to be killed [in his profession]. It’s our job to get those bandages on, get him back to health and have him walk out in good condition.”

Several states, including two of the top three states with the largest number of lawyers, have postponed attorney discipline case hearings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former State Bar of California trustee Joanna Mendoza and her family plan to remain in Barcelona until at least early April, which is when they hope to leave for Seville, Spain, to continue their European trip. However, she acknowledges their plans may change again because of the coronavirus.

Companies across the country have shuttered operations, required employees to work remotely and limited services and business hours. As these companies face an uncertain financial future, they also face the possibility that their workers will contract the coronavirus and hold them accountable for not putting proper protections in place.