Free unemployment benefits training for South Carolina attorneys

COLUMBIA, SC – Burnette Shutt & McDaniel is teaming up with the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center and South Carolina Legal Services to offer free unemployment insurance benefits training for attorneys.

The online session is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 2.  It will offer a comprehensive overview of South Carolina’s system. Speakers also will provide updates on changes in unemployment benefits as the result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which was passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though the recent changes offer additional benefits for workers, the pandemic also has made a challenging system even worse. Workers who applied in March and April still are waiting for claims determinations. Others have already received notices to terminate even though they can’t find jobs. Many employees also wonder if they’ll lose unemployment benefits if they refuse a work offer.

Burnette Shutt & McDaniel attorney Jack Cohoon is one of the trainers for the seminar. He’s litigated numerous unemployment benefits cases before the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, the Administrative Law Court, and the South Carolina Court of Appeals. Additionally, he co-authored the chapter on unemployment benefits in the most recent edition of “Labor and Employment Law for South Carolina Lawyers.” The book is considered the go-to guide for employment law attorneys.

In exchange for the free training, organizers are asking that attorneys agree to provide pro bono legal services to an unemployed worker. Participants will receive a case referral from either SC Legal Services or the SC Bar Pro Bono Program.

Registration is required.