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
Texas judge will issue order that could greatly expand mail-in voting — A state district judge said Wednesday that he will move forward with an order easing restrictions for voting by mail in Texas in light of the new coronavirus pandemic. — The Texas Tribune
Dallas DA John Creuzot joins Texas prosecutors in challenging governor’s bail order — The governor’s order, issued amid the coronavirus pandemic, threatens county jails with overcrowding, the prosecutors wrote, and does little for public safety. — The Dallas Morning News
The COVID-19 disaster has made a mess of Texas’ open government rules — Some government officials in Texas appear to be exploiting the pandemic as a way to hide public business from the public. — The Texas Observer
Commentary: Lawyer ethics in the age of COVID-19 — While America was on the verge of a revolution, Thomas Paine wrote, ”… these are the times that try men’s souls.” (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
“They’re proud of me”: With a mask and a passion to help, lawyer keeps working in Mexican border city — El Paso lawyer Taylor Levy helps migrants in Juárez. — The Texas Tribune
Democrats ask Trump to suspend construction of border wall on country’s southern border — More than 90 lawmakers asked the Trump administration to suspend construction of the border wall on the country’s southern border and use the money to instead help fight the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. — KPRC – Houston
Lawsuit over death of retired Dallas firefighter says cruise line failed to warn of outbreak — Michael Dorety died after contracting COVID-19 on the cruise, and his wife claims they were never warned of the outbreak on board. — The Dallas Morning News
Texas hospital challenges ban on releasing patients during crisis — A lawsuit was filed by a hospital seeking injunctive relief against the Harris County Public Health Authority so that it can release patients not at risk of spreading the coronavirus. — Courthouse News Service
Texas abortion providers withdraw Supreme Court petition after new 5th Circuit decision — Abortion providers in Texas have withdrawn a Supreme Court application to allow medication abortions to continue in the state after a federal appeals court granted the relief that they sought. — ABA Journal
Abbott to distribute $38 million to cities and counties to fight COVID-19 — Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that he would distribute $38 million of federal funds to local governments in Texas to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. — Austin American-Statesman
First black woman to graduate from Harvard Law dies from coronavirus complications — She achieved her dream of becoming a lawyer, against all odds. — Above the Law
Lawyer uses plastic covers on legal documents to make face shields for hospitals — A San Francisco lawyer has come up with a way to help provide much-needed face shields for hospital workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. — ABA Journal
How will your workplace adapt to social distancing in a post-pandemic world? — Today’s tight office environments aren’t designed for putting space between co-workers. — The Dallas Morning News
Lawyers are dressing way too casual during Zoom court hearings, judge says — A Florida judge is reminding lawyers appearing in remote court hearings through Zoom that they should not dress like they are poolside. — ABA Journal
Subscribe
To keep up on the latest legal news from around the state, sign up for the State Bar of Texas’ Daily News Briefing by clicking here.