Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing this collection of important links, blog posts, and media stories to keep its members and the public informed of the latest news and resources related to the novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the legal community.
Important links
State Bar of Texas Coronavirus Legal Resources Page — Texasbar.com/coronavirus
Check the Office of Court Administration’s website for court closures or delays reported to the OCA
Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program Well-being Resources page — Texasbar.com/remote-well-being
Texas Supreme Court orders online-only voting for State Bar elections; extends voting period — The Texas Supreme Court issued its sixth Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster on March 22. — Texas Bar Blog
Attorney disciplinary deadlines paused as disciplinary counsel deal with coronavirus fallout — The State Bar of Texas Office of Disciplinary Counsel is being proactive in handling the challenges from COVID-19, according to an email by Claire Reynolds, the office’s spokeswoman. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
COVID-19 putting depositions in danger, but courts are responding — “Lawyers are saying, ‘I don’t want to come to your office,'” Corpus Christi solo practitioner Monte English said, adding that some attorneys also oppose remote depositions. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Harris County courts, DA’s office closed after prosecutor exposed to infected relative — Harris County prosecutors are invoking their right to appear by alternate means — by phone or video link — on pending matters in the wake of the global spread of the novel coronavirus. (Subscription required) — Houston Chronicle
Dallas’ criminal justice community worries about canceled jury trials, jail population amid coronavirus concerns — Commissioner John Wiley Price is concerned that the county jail will quickly become overcrowded. — The Dallas Morning News
Texas delaying May primary runoff elections in response to coronavirus — Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday postponed the May 26 runoff election to July under the emergency powers of his previous statewide disaster declaration. — The Texas Tribune
Texas Democrats sue to open up Texas’ vote-by-mail laws as coronavirus spreads — The lawsuit was filed in Travis County District Court against the Texas secretary of state and Travis County Elections. — KUT – Austin
Texas family courts and exchange of children during this state of disaster related to Covid-19 (Coronavirus) — State district courts have recently began responding to the question: “When does Spring Break possession end?” — LexBlog
To slow COVID-19, Trump administration closes southern border to nonessential travel — The border will be closed for all crossings other than commercial trade and specified reasons such as medical care and education. — The Texas Tribune
Immigration attorneys worry ICE rules will take away needed medical supplies — Immigration and Customs Enforcement is requiring lawyers to wear person protection equipment to detention facilities. That could keep the equipment out of the hands of medical personnel — or make it harder for lawyers to see their clients, some say. — The Texas Tribune
Commentary: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act — Congress approved and President Donald Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Federal court in Austin shuts down coronavirus ‘vaccine kits’ website — The Department of Justice said it has taken its first action in federal court against fraud related to the coronavirus pandemic. — KUT – Austin
As coronavirus sparks rumors, Houston officials dispel social media myth of a citywide lockdown — Both the Houston Police Department and the Harris County district attorney’s office will be involved in the investigation. — The Texas Tribune
SCOTUS extends filing deadlines because of coronavirus outbreak — The court said in an order that the deadline is extended to 150 days, rather than the usual 90 days. — ABA Journal
Texas had laws that were barriers to telemedicine. The coronavirus changed that. (audio) — Telemedicine laws in Texas got revamped recently as the coronavirus spreads through the state. — KUT – Austin
What lessons lawyers can learn from week one of working from home — Here are 13 best practices, tailored specifically for the issues partners and associates experienced this week working remotely, to remain effective, realistic, responsive and human. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Zoom ‘Cheat Sheat’ — Thanks to the coronavirus crisis, my 280-odd colleagues on the University of Texas School of Law faculty are valiantly struggling to transpose their years of classroom skill and content to the daunting digital realm of remote instruction using Zoom teleconferencing. — Texas Bar Blog
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