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 Bar projected to lose $447,000 in revenue since coronavirus pandemic — The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the State Bar of Texas in the pocketbook, but the impact so far is minimal. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Pandemic power plays: Civil liberties in the time of COVID-19 — In halls of power across the country, the growing novel coronavirus pandemic has sometimes been used to stretch, bend or ignore established law and policy. — ABA Journal
Opinion: Coping with COVID-19—considerations for the “New Normal” — What is the future of our profession in a COVID-19 environment—or a post-COVID-19 environment? — Texas Bar Blog
Drive-thrus and free pencils: Texas plans for July elections with in-person voting — Other states may be shifting to increased mail-in voting, but Texas’ GOP leaders are fighting efforts to expand the practice. That leaves local elections officials to try to make polling places safe in a pandemic. — The Texas Tribune
Federal appeals court says Texas can block pill-induced abortions during pandemic — Reversing course, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday said access to pill-induced abortions can be restricted while the state fights the coronavirus pandemic. — The Texas Tribune
COVID-19 shutdown, oil price crash set to trigger wave of bankruptcies (audio) — Small businesses, particularly in the energy sector, will be among the hardest hit. — Houston Public Media
Houston Bar Association hosts COVID-19-related LegalLine service — The Houston Bar Association invites members of the public needing help with legal inquiries to sign up for the free LegalLine program from 5 to 8 p.m. April 22. — Texas Bar Blog
Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program plans virtual legal clinics — The Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, a joint initiative of the Dallas Bar Association and Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, will hold virtual legal clinics on April 23, April 30, and May 7. — Texas Bar Blog
Life after foster care was already tough. Now these Texans are facing the coronavirus pandemic, too. — As millions of Texans clamor for public benefits during the global health crisis, the pandemic has exposed gaps in support for young adults who have aged out of foster care. Many have experienced homelessness. — The Texas Tribune
Lawyer: Man accused in Atascocita High School killing waited to surrender because of COVID-19 — The lawyer for a teen suspected of killing another during a fight on the Atascocita High School football field says he would have turned himself in earlier if it hadn’t been for the novel coronavirus. (Subscription required) — Houston Chronicle
Federal judge orders ICE to consider releasing detainees at high risk for COVID-19 — A federal judge in California on Monday ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to “identify and track” every person in ICE detention at an elevated risk of complications from COVID-19 and to consider releasing those detainees regardless of their legal status. — NPR
Nearly 3 million homeowners get mortgage help, but others hit roadblocks — About 2.9 million homeowners have been allowed to put their mortgage payments on hold as the coronavirus shutdowns around the country put more people out of work. — NPR
Law firm sues four banks in class-action lawsuits over paycheck program — A Los Angeles consumer firm filed separate class-action lawsuits against four banks connected with the Paycheck Protection Program, arguing its small business owners were passed over in the loan process for larger companies. — UPI
Law in a time of pandemic: How Texas courts and lawyers responded to the pandemic of 1918-1920. — As horrible as this pandemic is, we should remember that this situation occurred before, during the so-called “Spanish flu” pandemic of 1918-1920. — Texas Bar Blog
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