COVID-19

Afternoon Briefs: These SCOTUS justices skipped the inauguration; student loan deferments extended

3 SCOTUS justices didn’t attend the inaugurations of Biden and Harris The U.S. Supreme Court’s three oldest justices did not attend President Joe Biden’s inauguration Wednesday: Stephen G. Breyer, 82; Clarence Thomas, 72; and Samuel A. Alito Jr., 70. It’s the first time since 2001 that all the justices did…

Jan 21, 2021 4:05 PM CST

Pandemic practice lessons from a Jamaican solo practitioner who went virtual early

“I think I will have to work from my car,” I thought, when I decided to start my Jamaican solo practice years ago.

Jan 20, 2021 12:39 PM CST

Lawsuit claims lawyer’s supervisor hit her during witness cross-examination

A Black lawyer claims in a lawsuit that her white supervisor yelled at her in front of colleagues, belittled her in front of clients, and hit her during an arbitration hearing.

Jan 20, 2021 12:37 PM CST

Lawyer fired after posting Capitol riot video sues to block ‘illegitimately elected Congress’

A lawyer who posted video of himself outside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot has filed a lawsuit contending that voting changes made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an illegal election and an “illegitimately elected Congress.”

Jan 20, 2021 11:03 AM CST

ABA helps animal shelters address challenges during COVID-19 pandemic

Last week, Katie Bray Barnett moderated the ABA’s ninth Animal Shelter Law Symposium, an all-day conference that concentrated on mitigating housing problems for pet owners, protecting animal shelters from liability and preparing effective foster home agreements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jan 19, 2021 10:28 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Execution carried out despite COVID-19 claim; 9 charged in Flint water crisis

COVID-19 claim doesn’t stop execution of drug trafficker Drug trafficker Cory Johnson was executed Thursday for his role in the slayings of seven people after the U.S. Supreme Court refused a delay request. Johnson’s lawyers had contended that he was intellectually disabled, and he was barred from execution. They also…

Jan 15, 2021 4:31 PM CST

Arizona will implement Thomson Reuters’ digital evidence platform statewide

Arizona’s court system will begin utilizing Thomson Reuters’ cloud-based court exhibit and evidence sharing platform to assist with the handling of digital evidence across the state, it was announced Wednesday.

Jan 13, 2021 10:53 AM CST

Supreme Court reinstates requirement for women seeking abortion drug to get it in person

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated a Trump administration requirement that women seeking an abortion drug must pick it up in person at a hospital, clinic or medical office.

Jan 13, 2021 9:44 AM CST

Law firms should not rush lateral hiring, due diligence expert says

With the shift to virtual recruitment amid the COVID-19 crisis, the speed at which law firms vet and hire lateral partners has increased, according to Michael Ellenhorn, the founder and CEO of Decipher. But Ellenhorn, whose company helps legal industry clients evaluate potential hires, says law firms would be wise not to quicken the hiring process too much.

Jan 13, 2021 9:00 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: 3 federal executions delayed; BigLaw partner resigns after sex harassment claim

Courts delay 3 federal executions scheduled for this week Federal courts have delayed three federal executions scheduled for this week. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan of the District of Columbia halted the executions of Cory Johnson and Dustin Higgs until at least March 16 to allow the men…

Jan 12, 2021 4:52 PM CST

Law firms may be at ‘tipping point’ for change because of COVID-19 pandemic, new report says

Law firms learned lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic that could translate to permanent changes in the way that they manage their operations, deliver legal services and treat their employees, according to a report released Tuesday.

Jan 12, 2021 3:06 PM CST

California releases bar exam results, and like many jurisdictions sees increase in pass rates

Out of the 9,301 people who sat for California’s online bar exam in October, the pass rate was 60.7%, according to a Jan. 8 news release from the State Bar of California.

Jan 11, 2021 12:49 PM CST

How law firms can be—and stay—effective during the COVID-19 crisis

As it has done to other professions within the business community, the coronavirus pandemic has severely disrupted normal functioning in the field of law. From closed courtrooms to quarantined clients, we are dealing with a new and challenging set of issues. But with the right planning and a strategic approach, we can overcome these obstacles and continue to effectively serve our clients.

Jan 11, 2021 9:07 AM CST

COVID-19 spurred more than a thousand workplace lawsuits in 2020, class action report says

At least 1,005 workplace lawsuits filed in 2020 stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic, and more are expected in 2021, according to Seyfarth Shaw’s 17th Annual Workplace Class Action Litigation Report.

Jan 8, 2021 3:55 PM CST

There will be blood: COVID-19, coup d’etat and capital punishment

As America is left reeling from the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the infamous last days of Donald J. Trump’s presidency will be remembered for lawlessness, incitement and a bloody coup attempt by a right-wing mob. Photo of Liane Jackson by Callie Lipkin/ABA Journal. As Congress attempts a second…

Jan 5, 2021 2:26 PM CST