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
In a first, Texas Supreme Court goes live on YouTube — The Texas Supreme Court made history Wednesday when its nine justices, sitting in their homes across the state or in their offices in Austin, connected remotely to hear oral arguments in cases that were streamed live on YouTube. — Austin American-Statesman
Governor suspends physical presence requirement for notaries in certain matters — Governor Greg Abbott on April 8 suspended certain statutes concerning appearance before a notary public. — Texas Bar Blog
Practice areas most impacted by COVID-19 — If attorneys have a good sense of the practice areas that are expanding and contracting in the current environment, they can best weather the storm of COVID-19. — Above the Law
‘A pro bono boom’: Doctors, inmates & immigrants get Big Law help as pandemic worsens — Counsel at firms with top-ranked pro bono programs say they’re seeing an increase in both the demand for pro bono work during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in attorneys at their firms wanting to offer free legal services. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Harris County judges, ACLU sue Greg Abbott over order limiting jail releases during pandemic — Misdemeanor judges and criminal defense organizations argue the governor’s order unconstitutionally oversteps his authority over judges and creates a wealth-based detention system. It’s the second court challenge to the order. — The Texas Tribune
Is your work doing enough to protect you from coronavirus? We talked to an employment lawyer — Kell Simon, an Austin lawyer who represents employees in workplace legal fights, answers questions from essential workers. — KUT – Austin
Immigration judges urge feds to close courts during pandemic — The National Association of Immigration Judges revived their call for the federal government to shut down courts that are still operating. — Courthouse News Service
Trump quietly shuts down asylum at US borders to fight virus — The U.S. government used an obscure public health law to justify one of its most aggressive border crackdowns ever. — The Associated Press
There’s a freeze on evictions, but renters say they’re still being told they need to move out (video) — Texas RioGrande Legal Aid advises renters to call 311 or the local non-emergency number if their landlord tries to evict them. — KENS – San Antonio
ABA Young Lawyers Division establishes national hotline for pandemic-related legal services — The ABA Young Lawyers Division has created a national hotline to connect those needing legal services during the COVID-19 pandemic through its Disaster Legal Services Program. — ABA Journal
Feds sued over lenient emissions standards as virus spreads — As research reveals a link between air pollution and Covid-19 death rates, environmental groups are challenging a new federal rule they say gives refineries and power plant operators a free pass for releasing mass amounts of toxins. — Courthouse News Service
US charges 2 with terror crimes over threats to spread virus — The Justice Department charged two people in Texas and Florida with federal terrorism offenses for allegedly claiming they were intentionally trying to spread the coronavirus. — The Associated Press
Law firm gives away thousands of free masks — The law firm of Herrman and Herrman sponsored a free face mask giveaway. The firm handed out 2,500 masks in just half an hour. — KRIS – Corpus Christi
How to deal with coronavirus cabin fever: Stuff you can still do! — If you’re going stir-crazy hunkered down at home, consider these great ideas. — Texas Public Radio
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.