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
State Bar of Texas Coronavirus Public Resources Page — Texasbar.com/COVIDHelp
Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program Well-being Resources page — Texasbar.com/remote-well-being
Law firms are seeing major slowdown in business because of COVID-19, data shows — The shock to the global economy stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a 40% drop in the number of new legal matters being opened each week in the U.S. compared to late February. — ABA Journal
Covid-19 spurs demand for contract lawyers, recruiters say — Temporary contract attorneys and paralegals are in demand at corporate and government legal departments and law firms. — Bloomberg Law
Pay cuts, layoffs, and more: How law firms are managing the pandemic — A firm-by-firm guide to how law firms are protecting their bottom lines from the economic fallout of the coronavirus. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Nearly 800 COVID-19 lawsuits have been filed, according to law firm’s tracker — Wondering what kind of lawsuits are being filed in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic? A lawsuit tracker has the answer. — ABA Journal
Divorce cases expected to increase as shelter in place orders lifted in Texas — The expected increase in divorce filings is based on trends in other countries after stay at home orders were relaxed. — The Gilmer Mirror
May 15 hearing set for Texas vote-by-mail arguments — U.S. District Judge Fred Biery has ordered a hearing on expanding vote-by-mail to all Texas voters in advance of the July 14 Democratic Party runoff election, due to fears of coronavirus transmission should in-person voting be required. — Rivard Report
Commentary: What Dallas lawyer who nursed New York coronavirus victims wants you to know about heroes and this disease — “I watched more people in my first shift die of coronavirus than I’ve ever seen die from the flu,” Jim Mullen says from his self-quarantine. — The Dallas Morning News
Supreme Court arguments a tech success, but format strangles usual give-and-take — The U.S. Supreme Court made history Monday. The coronavirus lockdown forced the typically cautious court to hear arguments for the first time via telephone, and to stream the arguments live for the public to hear. — NPR
At least 15 states grant lawsuit protection to long-term care facilities during pandemic — The American Health Care Association is leading a lobbying effort to protect nursing homes and long-term care facilities from legal liability during the COVID-19 pandemic. — ABA Journal
Commentary: How the government will help families affected by COVID-19 — Recently, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was passed to provide financial assistance. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Gold’s Gym files for bankruptcy due to coronavirus pandemic (video) — Gold’s Gym, which has operated for more than 50 years, filed for Chapter 11 protection Monday. Clothing retailer J.Crew also announced that it has filed for bankruptcy. — CNN
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