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Coronavirus pandemic prompts wave of ‘business interruption’ lawsuits by restaurants

Restaurants may often invest in substantial insurance coverage for their businesses, including purchasing “business interruption” coverage in case something beyond their control forces a shutdown of their operations. In mid-March, such an event happened: the coronavirus pandemic.



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How to get paid quickly with online payment tools in the time of the coronavirus

Coming into the office to pay may not be a safe option for either your clients or law firm staff in 2020. Instead, you’ll have everyone’s best interests in mind when you offer your clients the ability to pay legal bills online from the safety and comfort of their own homes. It’s a win-win for both your firm and its clients.



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Washington bar’s board mishandled employee’s sexual harassment complaint, report finds

The Washington State Bar Association’s board of governors created a hostile work environment for staff by mishandling an employee’s sexual harassment allegations lodged against a board member, according to an outside investigator’s scathing report that recently became public.



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Why states are on the fence about a patient’s right to die

About 21% of Americans now live in a state that allows medical aid in dying. Although these states allow medical aid in dying, the state laws have specific restrictions about when and how a patient can take the prescription. Advocates are pushing to ease criteria, so that more patients have access and more providers can offer support.



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'Ready for battle': Florida lawyer dons Grim Reaper garb to save lives during COVID-19 crisis

Nothing kills a buzz quite like a visit from the Grim Reaper. At least, that’s what Florida lawyer Daniel W. Uhlfelder is hoping. He recently began visiting public beaches dressed as the Grim Reaper to raise awareness about the threat of COVID-19 and to continue his advocacy for a statewide closure of all public beaches.



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Animal law attorney discusses Netflix's 'Tiger King,' legal issues related to wildlife trafficking

While quarantined with a bout of COVID-19 in her uptown New Orleans home, endangered species protection lawyer Carney Anne Nasser has had plenty to say about the controversy swirling around the Netflix docuseries Tiger King. Nasser talked recently with ABA Journal Legal Affairs Writer Matt Reynolds.



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SCOTUS hears arguments on whether 'faithless electors' in the Electoral College can switch allegiances

In 2016, for the first time, states removed or punished electors who declined to cast their ballots for their state’s popular-vote winners in the presidential election. The cases involving such “faithless electors” have worked their way up to the high court just as the nation prepares for another presidential election.



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Student loan relief scholarships awarded to 3 ABA members who 'make a positive impact on the world around them'

Those looking for some good news have come to the right place.



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Hope for nonprofit law firm model remains despite closing of Open Legal Services

When nonprofit law firm Open Legal Services ceased operating last year, the news sent a shudder through the nonprofit legal world and raised questions about whether the nonprofit model could work for other firms.



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Why exotic dancers and other gig workers are seeing employment law gains, COVID-19 losses

“The coronavirus is exposing the dangers of being a gig worker—you have no benefits, no health care, and no one to one to speak for you,” says lawyer Michael P. Maslanka, a labor and employment law expert in Texas. “I think this crisis is so severe that it will change the mindsets of the people, and when the mindsets of the people change, laws change.”



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