COVID-19

First all-virtual ABA Annual Meeting offers full slate of special events and programs

In a year of uncertainty, one thing is certain: The 2020 ABA Annual Meeting will once again offer attendees a memorable roster of special events, CLE programs and networking opportunities.

Jul 28, 2020 9:02 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Suit filed for immigrant children detained at hotel; ill judge doesn’t have to sign reelection papers

Lawsuit filed for immigrant children detained at Hampton Inn A lawyer with the Texas Civil Rights Project was forced out of a Hampton Inn hotel in McAllen, Texas, where he was investigating an Associated Press claim that children were being secretly held there before their deportation, according to a video…

Jul 27, 2020 4:58 PM CDT

2020 Harvard Law grad postpones bar exam and her wedding plans because of COVID-19

This past spring, when few people realized that most July bar exams would ultimately be canceled, Molly Coleman decided to forgo the test, for the time being, despite her lawyer father’s objections.

Jul 27, 2020 2:21 PM CDT

Online bar exams delayed in 2 states because of issues with testing software

Nevada and Indiana have pushed back the dates for their online bar exams after users taking practice tests encountered technology problems.

Jul 27, 2020 1:56 PM CDT

Sullivan & Cromwell among law firms reportedly laying off employees, offering buyout packages

Sullivan & Cromwell has reportedly laid off employees in multiple departments and offered buyout packages to many older employees.

Jul 27, 2020 12:31 PM CDT

Supreme Court refuses to block restrictions on Nevada churches in 5-4 vote

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday night rejected an emergency request by a Nevada church to block a 50-person limit on attendance at worship services. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. was among the five justices who declined to issue an injunction.

Jul 27, 2020 9:49 AM CDT

California federal court joins others in delaying jury trials amid rise in COVID-19 cases

A recent surge in COVID-19 cases prompted the federal court in San Francisco to announce Thursday that it would postpone jury trials until October.

Jul 24, 2020 3:09 PM CDT

Leadership and growth in a crisis: ‘Things are going to get better,’ legal tech CEO says

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Joey Seeber, the CEO and co-founder of Level 2 Legal Solutions, about leadership and growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jul 24, 2020 9:26 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Most judges see systemic racism; former Trump lawyer sent back to prison over tell-all book

Most judges say systemic racism exists in criminal justice system Sixty-five percent of 634 judges responding to a survey said they think systemic racism exists in the criminal justice system. More than 200 judges included comments with their answer. The unscientific survey, conducted each month, consists of one question sent…

Jul 23, 2020 4:40 PM CDT

An all-virtual mock trial shows how remote trials can be conducted

The Inaugural ABA False Claims Act Virtual Trial Program highlighted how jurors respond to evidence and arguments presented during a False Claims Act trial and how litigators can adapt their strategies when these trials are conducted remotely.

Jul 23, 2020 12:32 PM CDT

New York and Illinois join others moving to October online bar exam; another jurisdiction grants diploma privilege

In light of public health concerns, Illinois and New York have joined the growing list of states that canceled in-person bar exams, with plans for an October remote test offered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Jul 23, 2020 12:02 PM CDT

The civil justice system: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it—but is it broke?

Is the civil justice system broken? Given the extra time many of us have on our hands these days, compliments of COVID-19, lawyer Marcel Strigberger has come across some articles commenting on the problems of access to justice.

Jul 23, 2020 9:00 AM CDT

Potential jurors exercised, curled up on bed during virtual voir dire, motion says in asbestos case

Potential jurors were distracted or absent during a virtual voir dire that was “riddled with various problems,” according to a mistrial motion filed on behalf of an asbestos defendant.

Jul 22, 2020 2:41 PM CDT

Fans of baseball will be missed this upcoming season—but not their legal headaches

The national pastime, played in empty stadiums, at long last gets underway on Thursday. The cheer of the crowd will be sorely missed. But the absence of fans will also spare Major League Baseball teams from legal headaches that can arise when the seats are filled.

Jul 22, 2020 1:47 PM CDT

Partner distributions resume at some law firms amid coronavirus crisis

At least two large law firms are resuming partner distributions after trimming them in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jul 22, 2020 9:47 AM CDT