Public Health

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

7th Circuit upholds former cap on religious congregants in Illinois

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Chicago refused Tuesday to block a 10-person cap on religious congregants in a free exercise lawsuit filed by two Illinois churches.

Jun 17, 2020 10:45 AM CDT

BigLaw firm’s legal tech subsidiary has launched a steady stream of COVID-19 tools

Utah-based SixFifty set out to do what it does best: develop online tools to assist consumers of all types tackle complex legal challenges without breaking the bank. “That is where we thought we could make the biggest impact,” says CEO Kimball Dean Parker.

Jun 17, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

Many would-be lawyers are allowed to practice law without exam in Washington state

Graduates of ABA-accredited law schools who are registered for the July or September bar exam in Washington state can skip the test and still practice law.

Jun 16, 2020 12:04 PM CDT

As some law grads prepare for an online bar exam, academic support experts offer advice

Most states planning remote bar exams because of the novel coronavirus pandemic have cut the dreaded multiple-choice multistate bar exam portion of the test. But that doesn’t mean that the test will be easier to pass, according to some academic support experts.

Jun 16, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Sanctions can be discharged in bankruptcy, 9th Circuit says; BigLaw firms observe Juneteenth

Lawyer’s discovery sanctions can be discharged in bankruptcy, 9th Circuit rules A suspended California lawyer may discharge more than $5,700 in discovery sanctions in bankruptcy, but she can’t discharge more than $18,000 for the costs of state disciplinary proceedings against her, a federal appeals court has ruled. The 9th U.S.…

Jun 15, 2020 4:38 PM CDT

Lawyer accused of spitting on protester, kneeing officer in groin is charged with hate crime, felony battery

A white Wisconsin lawyer accused of spitting on a black protester and kneeing a police officer in the groin is facing criminal charges in connection with the two incidents.

Jun 15, 2020 2:23 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Judge admonishes state AG for ignored voting order; court upholds law school’s $2.6M settlement

Judge admonishes Tennessee attorney general’s office for ignoring absentee voting order Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle chastised attorneys from the Tennessee attorney general’s office Thursday for not following the temporary injunction that she issued last week to allow state voters who were concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic to vote…

Jun 12, 2020 4:14 PM CDT

Law student’s admission is revoked over ‘racially offensive behavior’ on social media

The Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law in Dallas announced on Twitter on Wednesday that it revoked the admission of an incoming student, “based on the student’s racially offensive behavior recorded on social media.”

Jun 12, 2020 11:32 AM CDT

Most law firms will shorten their summer programs and switch to virtual format, NALP study says

While the vast majority of law firms still plan to offer a summer program this year, almost two-thirds will shorten those programs between five to six weeks, and more than half will transition them to an entirely virtual format, according to a National Association for Law Placement study released Thursday.

Jun 12, 2020 9:46 AM CDT