Dominican Bar Association hosts Zoom happy hour

March 26, 2020 Rob Abruzzese

Members of the Dominican Bar Association used the website Zoom to hold a virtual networking event on Tuesday. Screenshot courtesy of the Dominican Bar Association

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The Brooklyn legal community has suffered during the coronavirus, as many small law offices have been deemed non-essential and the local bar associations have canceled all meetings, continuing legal education seminars and annual dinners through the end of May.

For a group of people who are used to near daily after-work meetings and networking events, it’s hard to accept careers and social lives on hold. The Dominican Bar Association did something on Tuesday that is likely going to catch on throughout the city and state — it held a virtual happy hour.

“This is our way of staying connected and supporting each other while practicing social distancing,” said Zoila Del Castillo, a member of the DBA Board of Directors, who is also the chair of the Hispanic National Bar Association, Region II, Young Lawyers Division. “We do not have to be alone during these difficult times.”

Dubbed “Enhorabueana with the DBA,” the group managed to get together while still practicing social distancing. Throughout the hour, roughly 12 to 15 participants shared drinks while updating each other on how they’re handling the virus.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea,” said Carrie Anne Cavallo, the immediate past president of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association. “I took an online CLE just yesterday, and I think we’re going to start seeing more events like this. It’s really a social profession and it has hit us hard. This is a great way to make some of us feel normal again.”