Public Health

Afternoon Briefs: SCOTUS moves quickly in census case; judge stops policing commission work

Supreme Court expedites case on census count The U.S. Supreme Court is moving quickly in a case challenging President Donald Trump’s decision to exclude from the census count immigrants who are in the country illegally. The court on Wednesday ordered submission of a brief by Oct. 7, which would allow…

Oct 1, 2020 4:42 PM CDT

SCOTUS is back in session amid a loss, a heated election and a world health crisis

The U.S. Supreme Court reconvenes for its new term on Oct. 5 with grief in the air after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a confirmation battle and election controversies swirling all around it and the court’s operations still disrupted by the pandemic.

Oct 1, 2020 2:34 PM CDT

Chemerinsky: The Supreme Court returns to a term like no other

No other first Monday in October, the traditional start of a new U.S. Supreme Court term, ever has been like this one. With the country still in the midst of a pandemic, oral arguments will be held by telephone as they were in May. The justices and the country are still reeling from the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Sept. 18. Looming large is the coming confirmation battle over the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who would add another staunch conservative to the court.

Oct 1, 2020 9:09 AM CDT

Coronavirus-related deaths in nursing homes prompt lawsuits and questions about who’s responsible

A growing number of negligence suits are being filed across the country against nursing homes and other long-term care facilities by families whose relatives died from the coronavirus while living in such facilities.

Oct 1, 2020 4:00 AM CDT

Racial disparities in maternal mortality are exacerbated by COVID-19

New concerns about maternal risks in pregnancy emerged as COVID-19 plowed its way across the country this year. Maternal mortality across the spectrum shows stunning increases in the United States. The number of deaths has risen while declining in almost every other nation.

Oct 1, 2020 2:00 AM CDT

Former bonus leader Cravath isn’t paying special bonuses; it’s reportedly 3rd BigLaw firm to say no

Several large law firms are paying special bonuses to associates this fall, but Cravath, Swaine & Moore won’t be among them. The announcement appeared to surprise Above the Law, which described Cravath as “the perennial bonus leader.”

Sep 30, 2020 11:10 AM CDT

Judges remain skeptical of GOP ballot fraud arguments; litigation keeps rules in flux

Judges have been “broadly skeptical” of GOP arguments of voter fraud, according to a Washington Post review of nearly 90 state and federal voting lawsuits.

Sep 29, 2020 3:54 PM CDT

How contract review software can save your law firm time and money

This type of software is grounded in machine learning and natural language processing, and it assists lawyers in analyzing contracts for their clients more effectively and efficiently, saving tons of time and money, writes lawyer and author Nicole Black.

Sep 29, 2020 9:00 AM CDT

Are businesses liable to ill family members of workers who contract COVID-19?

Do businesses have an obligation to those who have never been at a worksite? Courts have split on the issue, which will likely be raised in new lawsuits alleging that negligence led workers to become ill and pass on the COVID-19 virus to family members.

Sep 28, 2020 9:54 AM CDT

How is the lawyer known as ‘Popehat’ on Twitter keeping busy during the pandemic?

Lawyer Kenneth White says his wife would like him to cut back on his Twitter time, but he has not. And like many other lawyers, he’s dealing with online litigation, including virtual court appearances, hearing postponements and telephone depositions.

Sep 28, 2020 9:06 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Weil Gotshal special bonuses tied to hours; Trump sued by his niece

Weil Gotshal bonuses could reach $50K for top billers Weil Gotshal & Manges is breaking from the ranks by tying special bonuses to hours worked and raising the top amount to $50,000. Most other firms with special bonuses are paying $7,500 to $40,000, based on class year. Weil Gotshal’s special…

Sep 25, 2020 4:33 PM CDT

Divided DC appeals court announces bar exam waiver as 1 option for licensing

A divided District of Columbia Court of Appeals granted Thursday what it describes as an "emergency examination waiver" admission to practice law with various restrictions.

Sep 25, 2020 3:07 PM CDT

How to empower working moms during the coronavirus pandemic

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Carolyn Elefant, an attorney who focuses her practice on energy and environmental matters and the author of several books, including Solo by Choice: How to Be the Lawyer You Always Wanted to Be.

Sep 25, 2020 9:58 AM CDT

Ethics charges allege judge defied order to delay hearings and issued no-show warrants

A Cleveland municipal judge is facing ethics charges after holding court hearings despite a rescheduling order because of the coronavirus pandemic, and then issuing arrest warrants for no-shows.

Sep 22, 2020 4:12 PM CDT

Bar exam in hotel rooms offered test-takers social distancing and private bathrooms

Among the many worries for people taking recent in-person bar exams during the COVID-19 pandemic, some were logistical: How could they maintain social distancing during the test? Would public restrooms be germ magnets? Could they safely eat with others? Hotel rooms could be the answer to those concerns.

Sep 22, 2020 1:56 PM CDT