COVID-19

Some law firms will die without quick cuts, consultant says; which ones acted this past week?

At least a dozen more large and midsized law firms cut pay and furloughed employees in the past week because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. But it’s not nearly enough, according to a former BigLaw lawyer who once worked as a consultant.

Apr 30, 2020 3:13 PM CDT

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ treatment of sexual assault hits home during COVID-19 pandemic

This has been one of the most challenging installments I’ve written over the almost three years the ABA Journal has been publishing my column on law and pop culture. Now, the difficulty doesn’t stem from the subject matter of this column (as you can tell from the title, it’s relatively…

Apr 30, 2020 11:49 AM CDT

See the video: BigLaw firm associate sings and raps stay-at-home hero song

At work, Hogan Lovells senior associate Russell Hedman leads and negotiates complex M&A and investment transactions. Outside the office, he plays in a Denver band called the Rocket Surgeons.

Apr 30, 2020 10:54 AM CDT

Second lawmaker sues over Illinois stay-at-home order; first plaintiff won limited TRO

The co-chairman of President Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign in Illinois has filed a lawsuit that challenges the state’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order, calling it “as broad as an ocean.”

Apr 30, 2020 10:10 AM CDT

Want to provide COVID-19 pro bono help? Try this new portal launched by ABA and Paladin

Lawyers who want to provide pro bono help to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and other disasters can sign up at a new pro bono portal launched Thursday.

Apr 30, 2020 9:36 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Lawyer is charged in mask-markup plot; another remote LSAT is scheduled

Lawyer is charged in alleged plot to sell KN95 masks at 50% markup A California lawyer has been charged with conspiring to violate the Defense Production Act by selling one million KN95 respirator masks at a 50% markup. The law makes it illegal to acquire scarce medical supplies to hoard…

Apr 29, 2020 3:11 PM CDT

Many law firms that applied for paycheck protection loans are still waiting; Texas lawyer sues

Many smaller law firms applied for loans under the federal Paycheck Protection Program, and many are still waiting.

Apr 29, 2020 12:45 PM CDT

McConnell says COVID-19 aid bill must include liability shield for businesses and hospitals

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that a federal aid bill for state and local governments should make the money contingent on states providing liability protection to businesses and hospitals providing services amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apr 29, 2020 10:26 AM CDT

Chemerinsky: It’s going to be an unusual May in the Supreme Court

For the first time in recent memory, the Supreme Court will be holding oral arguments in May, and for the first time ever, they will be by telephone. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, oral arguments were canceled in the Supreme Court in March and April.

Apr 29, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Federal courts have reopening plan; billable hours cited in mental health survey

Local conditions will guide federal courts in reopening during COVID-19 crisis Guidelines for the reopening of federal court operations during the novel coronavirus crisis emphasize local decision-making guided by community conditions and data from health officials. Courts would progress through four reopening phases at their own pace, the Administrative Office…

Apr 28, 2020 4:10 PM CDT

For some law students, clinic work during COVID-19 feels more real than ever before

Clinical law students across the country say their work helping clients remotely is now much different and more difficult because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it comes closer to real-life lawyering than ever before, according to some law professors who direct the clinics.

Apr 28, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

California bar exam will be postponed and administered online

Because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the California bar exam is postponed from July until Sept. 9 and 10, and the state supreme court wants the bar to be online with remote or electronic proctoring.

Apr 27, 2020 4:17 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Employer COVID-19 tests OK, EEOC says; Pitbull trademarks signature shout

EEOC: Employers can test for COVID-19 without violating ADA Employers can require COVID-19 tests before allowing workers to enter the workplace, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The tests don’t violate the Americans With Disabilities Act if they are accurate and reliable, and they are job-related and consistent with…

Apr 27, 2020 4:10 PM CDT

Voting rights for people in jail is becoming another casualty of COVID-19

In the months before prisons and jails banned visitors due to the coronavirus, election workers and volunteers streamed in and out of Chicago’s Cook County Jail helping people there get ready to vote.

Apr 27, 2020 11:16 AM CDT

Supreme Court refuses to block public charge rule in request citing COVID-19 impact

The U.S. Supreme Court declined Friday to block the Trump administration’s public charge rule curbing green cards and visas for people on public benefits.

Apr 27, 2020 9:53 AM CDT