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
Legal experts see tough road for jury trials while pandemic rages — As the Covid-19 pandemic prevents people from gathering in courtrooms, courts throughout the United States are exploring new ways of preserving the right to trial by jury. — Courthouse News Service
Judges weigh bigger rooms, cleaner mics as jury trials restart — Federal courts in some parts of the country have prepared for a cautious reboot of jury trials in civil lawsuits—equipped with disinfectant, measuring tapes, and extra jurors. — Bloomberg Law
In a test case, Collin County jury renders verdict on Zoom for the first time; too risky for a full trial? — The one-day, nonbinding decision marked a small step forward as courthouses struggle to find safe ways to restart jury trials. — The Dallas Morning News
Analysis: The numbers are in: Attorney income nosedived nationwide in the last 2 months — Lawyers have taken a hit to the pocket book as case filings nosedived, and new clients quit seeking representation during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey of attorneys nationwide. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
How to get paid quickly with online payment tools in the time of the coronavirus — A common issue faced by many law firms operating virtually has been setting up a process to get paid promptly. — ABA Journal
‘Draconian’? ‘House arrest’? Coronavirus lockdowns prompt raft of lawsuits against states — Residents, businesses and even lawmakers have challenged state shutdown orders designed to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. — Austin American-Statesman
Analysis: Law in the time of corona — The jury is still out on how our legal system ultimately will respond to COVID-19 claims, but we have seen enough at this point to begin making some preliminary general observations. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Armed with whistleblower tips, US SEC cracks down on coronavirus misconduct — The novel coronavirus outbreak and economic fallout is proving to be a bonanza for whistleblower lawyers as the U.S. securities regulator cracks down on a range of related misconduct from companies touting sham cures to misuse of federal aid. — Reuters
Houston Volunteer Lawyers offers free legal representation in eviction cases for low-income Harris County residents — HVL is expediting eviction applications as the Texas Supreme Court moratorium on evictions for nonpayment expired on May 18 and court proceedings are expected to resume on June 1. — Texas Bar Blog
Legal aid attorneys prepare for increase in caseload when eviction hearings begin in June (video) — Texas RioGrande Legal Aid attorney Christina Trejo said they have been preparing by setting up referral sources with community partners. — KSAT – San Antonio
Texas governor suspends visits at county and municipal jails — The restriction does not apply to visits by an attorneys meeting with clients or visits by religious leaders. — Texas Public Radio
Attorney General Paxton says in-person property appraisal protests must be available — Due to coronavirus, many appraisal districts and review boards closed their doors to in-person protests, but an opinion issued by the attorney general’s office challenges the move. — The Texas
Judge demands ICE explain why it won’t release kids — A federal judge on Friday ordered the government to give the court detailed information about its efforts to quickly release them in the wake of the coronavirus. — The Associated Press
ACLU wants ICE restrained from detaining Covid-vulnerable — The group is asking the federal government be restrained from continuing to detain medically-vulnerable immigrants. — Courthouse News Service
COVID-19 lawsuit takes on McDonald’s like it was a rowdy bar — Workers and their families at McDonald’s Corp’s Chicago restaurants have filed a class-action lawsuit against the fast-food chain that does not seek money for sick staff, but compliance with health guidance such as providing clean face masks. — Reuters
Texas bankruptcies are up, and Houston is the epicenter — Legal experts said the wave of insolvencies and restructurings is still far from breaking or hitting their peak. — The Texas Lawbook
Hertz files for bankruptcy — Hertz filed for bankruptcy Friday night, the latest victim of the sudden economic downturn sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic. — CNN
From camping to dining out: Here’s how experts rate the risks of 14 summer activities (audio) — NPR asked a panel of infectious disease and public health experts to rate the risk of summer activities. — NPR
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