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
What kind of COVID-19 related lawsuits is Texas seeing? — The latest precedent for a pandemic-era case might be 102 years old. — KXAN – Austin
Analysis: Challenges of Zoom jury trials: Lawyer rapport, equal protections, technology hurdles — Lawyers and courts should be asking whether the convenience of the technology is outweighed by the deprivations accompanying this new form of remote justice. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Remote lawyering is here to stay — Although the COVID-19 pandemic’s lasting effects on modern society are far from known today, there’s little doubt that the disease has prodded a reluctant legal profession into the digital age. — JD Supra
Federal jury trials in McAllen suspended until July — In the wake of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, civil and criminal jury trials have been suspended in federal court until at least July 3. — Valley Morning Star
Judges worried about virus’ impact on upcoming trials — Three Harris County judges said they anticipate troubling knock-on effects as courts begin looking to resume full-blown jury trials following a lengthy pause due to the pandemic. (Subscription required) — Law360
Some expect a ‘wave of evictions’ soon — Shoshana Krieger, who directs the Building and Strengthening Tenant Action project for Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, expects the “first wave of evictions” to begin around July 25. . — Austin Business Journal
Hidalgo and Turner urge local judges to halt evictions until August — If Harris County’s 16 Justices of the Peace agree, all evictions filed after March 27 would be postponed. — Houston Public Media
Houston attorney accused of charging homeless up to $300 to process stimulus checks — John Cucci Jr. denies any wrongdoing. Instead, he describes himself as a “savior in the streets.” — KHOU – Houston
Texas unemployment benefits extended another 13 weeks (video) — Out-of-work Texans about to lose unemployment may be eligible to continue receiving money. — KVUE – Austin
Harvard Law School to hold all fall 2020 classes online due to coronavirus — It is the first law school in America to go fully remote for Fall 2020. — Above the Law
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