COVID-19

Remove underperformers? Increase cash? New law firm survey shows changing views

Law firms responding to survey questions about a hypothetical recession became more willing to take tough measures as the COVID-19 crisis worsened, according to recent survey findings by legal consulting firm Altman Weil.

Jun 25, 2020 2:45 PM CDT

Justices have a lot to say, but all is quiet in the Supreme Court

In a normal June, the U.S. Supreme Court issues the last of the term’s opinions, many of which are in its most contentious and divided cases. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once referred to people coming to the courtroom to “watch the show.” But the show has not gone on during the time of quarantine.

Jun 25, 2020 9:22 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Another law firm cuts pay; officer fired in shooting death of Breonna Taylor

Another law firm cuts pay for lawyers and staffers Holland & Hart is reducing profit distributions to equity partners and cutting pay for salaried lawyers by 15%. Staff members who make $100,000 or more will see a pay cut of 7.5%, while those making more than $60,000 and less than…

Jun 24, 2020 4:48 PM CDT

Trial by Zoom: A strange but true story of how one lawyer prepared for court

“On June 12, I was in federal court cross-examining a witness about strawberry shortbread. Only, I wasn’t in the courthouse, and neither was the judge. The witness was my law partner, Michelle, and I wasn’t wearing pants,” writes lawyer David A. Lowe.

Jun 24, 2020 2:10 PM CDT

Fighting landlord’s suit, Jenner & Block says COVID-19 pandemic entitles it to rent abatement

Jenner & Block says abatement provisions in its Chicago lease cover situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is entitled to an $840,000-plus credit for overpayment.

Jun 24, 2020 12:49 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Prosecutor says Trump ally got break; lawyers’ extortion plea

Prosecutor to testify that Trump ally was treated better A prosecutor who resigned in the Roger Stone case plans to tell Congress on Wednesday that his supervisors told him that Stone was given favorable treatment because he was an ally of President Donald Trump. The prosecutor, Aaron Zelinsky, says he…

Jun 23, 2020 4:44 PM CDT

New York City’s backlog in criminal cases rises to 39,200 after trials postponed

The backlog in criminal cases in New York City has risen by nearly a third since February, the month before all trials in the state were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jun 23, 2020 12:43 PM CDT

Top law firms fared surprisingly well during COVID-19 pandemic, survey says

Updated: The legal industry has fared surprising well during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey of mostly larger law firms by Wells Fargo Private Bank's legal specialty group.

Jun 23, 2020 11:49 AM CDT

Top secure communication tools for lawyers during the COVID-19 crisis

Like most lawyers, you’ve probably been working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Between the quarantines and social distancing requirements, you didn’t have much of a choice. Obviously, you’re not alone, since remote working has become the new normal for most businesses during the pandemic, writes lawyer and author Nicole Black of MyCase.

Jun 22, 2020 2:41 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Oklahoma top court won’t block Trump rally; cop union loses bid to destroy records

Oklahoma’s top court refuses to block Trump rally The Oklahoma Supreme Court refused to block a campaign rally Friday for President Donald Trump that is scheduled for Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The plaintiffs had argued that the indoor event should be stopped to protect against the COVID-19 risk. (The Oklahoman)…

Jun 19, 2020 3:25 PM CDT

New York court system’s admin board lifts ban on law firm trade names

The New York court system’s administrative board has lifted the ban on law firms advertising their services under trade or domain names.

Jun 19, 2020 12:45 PM CDT

How to raise money during a pandemic: ‘These are the days for legal tech,’ CEO says

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Michael Grupp, the founder and CEO of Bryter, a no-code platform for building digital applications in the legal and compliance sectors, about raising money in legal technology during a pandemic.

Jun 19, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: State chief justices on racial inequality; court worker fired for tearing down signs in video

State high courts, chief justices issue racial injustice statements A growing number of state chief justices are issuing public statements following the death of George Floyd. Many of the statements deal with the legal system’s role in perpetuating racial inequality. “We are part of the problem,” wrote Chief Justice Bernette…

Jun 18, 2020 4:33 PM CDT

Protests renew scrutiny of detention practices and COVID-19 spread

As thousands of demonstrators have been arrested or jailed amid protests over the killing of George Floyd and police brutality, detention practices that increase the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus are back in the spotlight.

Jun 18, 2020 11:40 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Officer charged in arrest death of Rayshard Brooks; mixed grades for pass-fail changes

Officer is charged in death of Rayshard Brooks Former Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe has been charged with felony murder and other charges in the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks at an Atlanta Wendy’s restaurant Friday. A second officer faces lesser charges. Police were trying to arrest Brooks on a…

Jun 17, 2020 4:53 PM CDT