Staying Connected

A few weeks ago, I received my COVID-19 vaccination. It was a surprisingly emotional experience, mainly because I’m so grateful to receive it, and thankful to all of the people working so hard to make it possible. But also because it is a step forward. It’s a milestone in our collective journey toward becoming whole again. Losing the ability to fully engage with each other over the past year has been difficult. I look forward to the day when we can reconnect and enjoy the simple pleasure of a conversation and a smile in person.

As humans, we are wired for these meaningful connections. COVID-19 made it difficult to create and to maintain them, and there is a resulting wake of implications on emotional health. One of our featured articles this month explores the pandemic’s impact on the emotional state of jurors and defendants, and how it can affect perceptions, willingness to serve, and outcomes. It’s a fascinating read, which you can find beginning on page 22.

I’m sure the pandemic has had an impact on everyone in some way. I’m not sure how you all feel, but I’m ready to stop staring at the green light next to the camera on my laptop and see everyone, in person, at our Annual Conference in August. I cannot wait to welcome you back to an exciting event designed with robust safety protocols. I invite you to reconnect with our community and celebrate our peers at the CLM Professionals of the Year awards dinner. By the way, nominations for the 2021 awards program are open, so check out theclm.org for details. If you know someone passionate about advancing the profession, please nominate them!

I would love to know how you have maintained connections this year—and how we have done to help keep you feel connected to the CLM community in a virtual world. Drop me a note, because I love hearing from you, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Anne Blume

CEO, CLM

anne.blume@theclm.org