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
Frequently Asked Questions — Coronavirus safety measures at SBOT
Check the Office of Court Administration’s website for court closures or delays reported to the OCA
State Bar of Texas update on coronavirus safety measures — The State Bar of Texas leadership sent the following message to members on Friday. — Texas Bar Blog
The CDC recommends organizers cancel or postpone events with 50 people or more for 8 weeks — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday recommended that no gatherings with 50 people or more take place for the next eight weeks to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. — CNN
Texas high courts issue emergency order regarding coronavirus — The Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals issued an order Friday regarding the COVID-19 state of disaster. — Texas Bar Blog
Here are the latest updates from Texas courts regarding coronavirus — Texas Lawyer is collecting news about how courts across the Lone Star State are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Texas law school and metropolitan bar association closings due to coronavirus — The 10 Texas law schools are taking steps to address concerns about coronavirus and to ensure students’ safety. — Texas Bar Blog
ABA creates task force to address legal needs arising from coronavirus pandemic — In response to the growing legal needs of ordinary Americans arising from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the American Bar Association has created a nationwide task force of volunteer lawyers and judges from across the legal profession. — ABA blog
Coronavirus updates in Texas: Texas count climbs; state gets a boost in medical safety supplies — As cases of the new strain of coronavirus grow worldwide, The Texas Tribune will continue to cover developments in Texas and nationally so our audience can stay as safe and informed as possible. — The Texas Tribune
Texas judge self-quarantines after defendant claims coronavirus exposure — “As far as we know, no one present in … court … this morning has been symptomatic or tested positive for COVID-19,” a court spokesman said. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
‘All hands on deck’ for labor and employment firms facing flood of employer questions — Lawyers at Jackson Lewis, Fisher & Phillips and Littler Mendelson are fielding client coronavirus questions on a 24-hour basis and triaging them based on their urgency. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Coronavirus work from home response a boon for cybercriminal exploitation — Here are some of the key issues of which law firms and companies need to be aware and steps that should be considered to minimize the risk to keep everyone — and client data — safe. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Law firms share advice with clients — and each other — The Texas Lawbook has received feedback from litigation leaders in Texas on what measures their law firms are taking to assist clients, what their clients’ largest concerns are surrounding the virus, and what they are advising their general counsel clients to do. (Subscription required) — The Texas Lawbook
UT-Austin researcher explains lab’s key role in coronavirus vaccine development — The Texas Tribune visited the University of Texas at Austin’s McLellan Lab, where scientists have made a critical breakthrough toward developing a vaccine for the 2019 novel coronavirus. — The Texas Tribune
Texas Department of Criminal Justice suspends prison visitation statewide due to coronavirus threat — The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has temporarily suspended visitation at all facilities statewide until further notice due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus, according to a Friday statement from the TDCJ. — Houston Chronicle
How can prisons contain coronavirus when Purell is a contraband? — Behind bars, some of the most basic disease prevention measures are against the rules or simply impossible. — The Marshall Project
Immigrant rights groups call on ICE to halt raids during coronavirus outbreak — A Texas-based immigrant rights group sounded alarm bells Friday about recent immigration enforcement raids it said have created fear within the immigrant community and will result in sick immigrants not seeking medical attention should the new coronavirus strike the borderlands. — The Texas Tribune
BigLaw firm asks all employees to work remotely following death of legal assistant with flu-like symptoms — A Davis Wright Tremaine staff member, who worked out of the firm’s office in Bellevue, Washington, was found dead Thursday after she’d left work Tuesday morning, experiencing flu-like symptoms. — ABA Journal
How to clean your phone to help protect against coronavirus — It’s one thing to stop touching your face. It’s another to stop touching the things that touch your face. — The New York Times
How to spot and report price gouging in Texas during coronavirus crisis — The spread of COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus has prompted many people to share concerns over possible price gouging in Texas. — KPRC – Houston
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