Personal legal assistance from SupportLinc
Resilient Vet: Thrive in Practice, Live Well Beyond It
As an NYSVMS member you have access to free legal support from Curalinc.
NOTE: This is in addition to the legal support provided through our own help desk.
All NYSVMS members are enrolled in our Member Assistance Program operated by Curalinc, and provided through their SupportLinc portal.
Use code: nysvms
Here is what Curalinc say about the service
We contract with a nationwide network of more than 20,000 experienced attorneys to consult employees and family members regarding their legal concerns. Callers can obtain consultation for any legal matter, except for disputes or actions between an employee/dependent and their employer or EAP or for business issues.
Some of the more common legal issues addressed include:
• Divorce/custody
• Criminal
• Estate planning/wills/trusts
• Real estate
• Landlord/tenant
• Bankruptcy
• Personal injury/malpractice
• Debtor/creditor
• Adoption
• Probate
Disputes between an employer and employee are not covered.
How to start
When an employee or their family member contacts the service for assistance with a legal issue, they first speak with a legal consultant. During the intake process, the legal consultant gathers relevant
information regarding the participant’s legal concern and discusses the option to speak with a telephonic attorney and/or receive a consultation with a local attorney based on the legal matter and circumstances.
Legal consultants are available 24/7 to answer calls; however, most attorneys are available during standard business hours (typically between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the relevant time zone). If a participant calls after hours, we will perform the intake and gather as much information as possible. We will then connect the participant with a telephonic attorney the next business day or will immediately begin contacting attorneys for a local consultation.
Steps for legal consultation
When someone calls for legal assistance, the following steps occur:
• A consultant gathers a brief summary of the caller’s needs and information, including the caller’s
name and phone number, in case the call is dropped.
• The consultant will transfer the caller (during business hours) to speak with a telephonic general
practice attorney in the appropriate state.
• The caller is placed on hold, and the consultant contacts the appropriate attorney to briefly
summarize the caller’s needs.
• The consultant reconnects with the caller, introduces them to the attorney and drops off the call.
The consultation lasts 30 minutes.
All telephonic attorneys have the following qualifications:
• Must be a general practice attorney.
• Must have an active license in the state(s) for which they will be taking calls.
• Managing partners must have at least ten years of experience; associate attorneys must have at
least three years of experience after being admitted to the bar.
• Must carry professional liability insurance at a minimum of $300,000 per incident and $500,000
aggregate (unless excepted by the state of licensure).
• Attorneys must have no public record of discipline within the last ten years.
The team may also locate a local attorney who can meet the participant’s needs.