COVID-19

Legal industry gained 7,200 jobs last month but is still below last year’s numbers

The legal services industry has gained jobs for two months in a row but still has 35,700 fewer jobs than a year ago.

Mar 5, 2021 11:39 AM CST

At these top law firms, profit boosts followed layoffs of lawyers and staff members

Some of the nation’s top law firms posted substantial boosts in profits last year after laying off attorneys or staff members, according to an analysis by Law.com.

Mar 4, 2021 12:33 PM CST

Capacity limits on businesses can be a ‘direct physical loss’ covered by insurance, judge rules in bellwether cases

A federal judge in Chicago has ruled that pandemic-related business closings and capacity limits can qualify as a “direct physical loss” to property that is covered by "business interruption" policies.

Mar 4, 2021 9:54 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Lawyer gives frank reply to Justice Barrett; new site has law school scholarship information

GOP lawyer gives candid answer to Justice Barrett A lawyer for the Arizona Republican Party gave a frank answer in oral arguments Tuesday when Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked why the GOP didn’t want to count votes cast in the wrong precinct on Election Day. “Because it puts us at…

Mar 3, 2021 4:30 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Another state plans remote bar exam in July; Texas AG sues electric company over huge bills

So far, 9 jurisdictions have plan for remote bar exam in July California’s July 2021 bar exam will be remote, the California Supreme Court announced Friday. The first testing day, on July 27, will consist of five one-hour essay questions and a 90-minute performance test, according to the administrative order.…

Mar 2, 2021 4:45 PM CST

Difficulties of pandemic should be acknowledged in law school transcript, students say

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on many student population groups, and law students at the University of Minnesota Law School are asking that it be mentioned in the transcript for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Mar 2, 2021 3:10 PM CST

Pandemic worsens already-growing debt problem with many legal remedies on hold

While many Americans remain jobless, some companies have increased their collection efforts on old debt as they grapple with less revenue amid the sluggish economy. But with government offices and courts closed, it’s hard for attorneys to move cases along.

Mar 2, 2021 12:52 PM CST

How law firms reacted to racial injustice and the COVID-19 pandemic

Nearly three-fourths of surveyed law firms launched new programs to address racial injustice after Black Lives Matter demonstrations and the death of George Floyd last year, according to a new study.

Mar 2, 2021 11:32 AM CST

What did law firms do that helped them outperform the market in 2020?

Law firms that posted double-digit gains in 2020 revenue and profits per equity partner had a strategic plan and a commitment to a high-performance culture, according to an analysis by two law firm consultants.

Mar 2, 2021 10:53 AM CST

Holistic crisis management: Lawyers step in to solve problems, large and small

Throughout Laurence Kahn’s career as a lawyer who prosecuted consumer fraud and resolved countless disputes, he always believed a big part of his job was helping people with their problems. In 2004, that attitude sparked a thought one night as Kahn lay in bed.

Mar 2, 2021 10:18 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Judge strikes down CDC eviction moratorium; lawyer’s dogged determination brings cash

Judge strikes down CDC eviction moratorium U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker of Tyler, Texas, has struck down a moratorium on most residential evictions by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Barker said the federal government’s power to regulate interstate commerce doesn’t extend to an eviction ban. Barker…

Feb 26, 2021 3:10 PM CST

Pandemic and financial stress could push some lawyers to act unethically, experts warn

Mental health and lawyer ethics experts are warning that financial stress and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may push lawyers to act imprudently or unethically.

Feb 26, 2021 12:01 PM CST

Solo practitioners saw steeper revenue declines amid COVID-19, new report finds

Solo practitioners had a harder time weathering the initial economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic than others in the legal industry, according to a new report that cloud-based company Clio released on Tuesday.

Feb 24, 2021 9:19 AM CST

6 tips from infectious disease experts for in-person court proceedings

As the pandemic began to rage across America last spring, U.S. District of Maryland Chief Judge James K. Bredar puzzled over how to mount in-person hearings. The judge quickly realized he needed the help of a public health expert. He turned to epidemiologist Dr. Jonathan M. Zenilman.

Feb 23, 2021 12:57 PM CST

ABA’s Practice Forward group puts focus on members’ needs, well-being

The challenges confronting the legal profession as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have been a prime focus of the 2021 ABA Midyear Meeting.

Feb 22, 2021 4:51 PM CST