COVID-19

In apparent first, teachers union sues Florida governor to stop schools from reopening during COVID-19 crisis

A teachers union sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state education commissioner on Monday in a bid to block the reopening of schools.

Jul 21, 2020 1:39 PM CDT

Another state cancels September bar exam and replaces it with online test over COVID-19 concerns

On Monday, Georgia canceled its in-person September bar exam because of public health concerns stemming from the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Jul 21, 2020 10:15 AM CDT

Wrongfully convicted man hopes to win ‘America’s Got Talent’ and suit against criminal justice system

Inside Louisiana’s maximum security prison, inmate Archie Williams used to watch America’s Got Talent and visualize himself performing on the show. It was a dream that couldn’t have seemed further from reality. But on May 26—37 years after his conviction and a little over a year since his exoneration and release—his improbable dream came true.

Jul 21, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: TRO to stop court reopening is denied; third federal inmate is executed

Judge rejects TRO in suit to stop court reopening U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter Jr. refused to issue on Friday a temporary restraining order preventing in-court appearances in nonemergency criminal matters in New York City. Carter will host a telephone hearing July 21 to discuss a request for a preliminary…

Jul 20, 2020 4:58 PM CDT

ABA president urges Senate to support nursing homes in next COVID-19 stimulus bill

ABA President Judy Perry Martinez asked U.S. Senate leadership Monday to include S. 4182, the Emergency Support for Nursing Homes and Elder Justice Reform Act of 2020, in the next COVID-19 economic relief bill.

Jul 20, 2020 2:46 PM CDT

San Diego lawyers create new pro bono program amid COVID-19 crisis

While courthouses were closed because of COVID-19, members of San Diego’s legal community developed a new program designed to help parties tackle their civil disputes for free outside the court system.

Jul 20, 2020 11:23 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Governor sues over mask mandate; court openings paused

Georgia governor sues Atlanta to block mask mandate Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has filed a lawsuit seeking to block a mask mandate by the city of Atlanta. The July 16 suit says Kemp has the power to suspend mask mandates that are contrary to his directive encouraging, but not requiring,…

Jul 17, 2020 4:10 PM CDT

Prosecuting attorney criticized for ‘racial undertone’ of Facebook comment

More than 35 lawyers have signed an open letter criticizing a prosecuting attorney in Mississippi for a Facebook comment saying she hoped deadly COVID-19 spreads during riots. The letter says Madison County, Mississippi, Prosecutor Pamela Hancock damaged her professional credibility in the post. The Mississippi Clarion Ledger has coverage. “Your…

Jul 17, 2020 11:05 AM CDT

California announces online October bar exam, lowered cut score and supervised practice

California will have an online multiple-choice question bar exam in October, the state supreme court announced Thursday.

Jul 17, 2020 11:00 AM CDT

Law grads have had job offers rescinded at 49% of surveyed law schools

Law grads have had employment offers rescinded at 49% of the law schools surveyed by the National Association for Law Placement. Hardest hit were graduates of schools in the Southeast region, where 57.5% of the schools reported rescinded offers; and schools with more than 750 students, where 61% reported rescinded…

Jul 16, 2020 12:00 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: KKK courthouse mural still on display; George Floyd’s family sues

Group calls for removal of courthouse mural with KKK figures The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is calling for removal of a courthouse mural that includes three Ku Klux Klan members riding on horseback in their white robes. The mural in the Baker County Courthouse was intended to illustrate…

Jul 15, 2020 4:45 PM CDT

38 lawyers will work at Husch Blackwell’s new virtual office

Thirty-eight lawyers and 12 other professionals at Husch Blackwell will join its new virtual office, dubbed The Link. The professionals come from eight Husch Blackwell offices, according to a press release. Law.com, Law360 and the Kansas City Business Journal have coverage. The 20 partners and 18 associates who are joining…

Jul 15, 2020 3:45 PM CDT

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner announces layoffs; experts say other firms may follow

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner announced Wednesday that it is laying off a small number of lawyers and staff members across its global offices. In London, the layoffs include 14 fee earners and 26 business services staff members, according to the Global Post and a source who spoke with Law.com. The…

Jul 15, 2020 3:30 PM CDT

New York City public defenders file suit to halt in-person court appearances

Six public defender groups in New York City filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday seeking to halt resumption of in-person court appearances for nonemergency criminal matters in New York City.

Jul 15, 2020 11:55 AM CDT

US drops plan to revoke visas of foreign students taking all online classes after Harvard and MIT sue

The Trump administration has dropped plans to revoke visas of foreign college students who are taking all online courses this fall, a federal judge announced on Tuesday.

Jul 14, 2020 4:35 PM CDT