Natural Disasters

Disaster response news from the ABA Journal, American Bar Association legal resources, volunteering opportunities and disaster helplines.

First-year associate pay continues to rise, despite pandemic, NALP survey says

The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t curtailed base pay for beginning associates, according to the National Association for Law Placement's survey of mostly larger law firms.

Apr 14, 2021 10:08 AM CDT

How to make a professional transition during the COVID-19 pandemic

Do you find yourself living with the stark reality of having to make a transition during COVID-19? Are you looking at changing practice areas or making a move to a new firm? Change in the best of times can be daunting. Add to that the various challenges we are currently facing with restrictions and lockdowns, and it may seem insurmountable. But it doesn’t have to be.

Apr 13, 2021 9:07 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Supreme Court rules for religion; Ramsey Clark dies at 93

SCOTUS blocks restrictions on religious meetings at homes during pandemic

The U.S. Supreme Court blocked California’s restrictions on religious meetings at homes during the COVID-19 crisis in a 5-4 vote…

Apr 12, 2021 4:10 PM CDT

This firm takes top spot for its COVID-19 response, Yale Law Women says; which others took top honors?

Yale Law Women has named the top 2021 law firms for gender equity, inclusion and family-friendly practices in a number of categories, including the best law firm for a COVID-19 response and the best law firm for racial justice contributions.

Apr 12, 2021 3:06 PM CDT

State supreme court justice confirms he has been working from outside the country for 3 months

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein has been working from Dubai and Israel for the last three months while he participates in a program to improve cultural understanding of people with disabilities.

Apr 12, 2021 10:38 AM CDT

Holland & Knight in merger talks to create 1,600-lawyer firm; does it portend ‘next wave’ of mergers?

Holland & Knight and Thompson & Knight are discussing a merger that could close this summer, the law firms announced Friday.

Apr 12, 2021 9:20 AM CDT

Former death row inmate thanks God and his lawyers for his release after 30-plus years in prison

A former death row inmate in Florida told reporters Thursday that he thanked God and his legal team for his release from prison.

Apr 9, 2021 12:43 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: DA wants to vacate 90 drug convictions; BigLaw firm targeted by law student climate group

90 convictions could be vacated after detective is charged

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez in New York says his office has lost confidence in 27 felony and 63 misdemeanor convictions…

Apr 7, 2021 4:35 PM CDT

Company donates 1.2M eggs to food banks as part of lawsuit settlement

The Hillandale Farms Corp. is donating 1.2 million eggs to food banks in New York to settle a state price-gouging lawsuit.

Apr 2, 2021 2:10 PM CDT

Legal industry loses 1,400 jobs in March following big gain in February

The legal services industry lost 1,400 jobs in March, leaving it 35,000 jobs behind where it was in March 2020—the month that the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic.

Apr 2, 2021 10:21 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Uber ordered to pay $1.1M to blind passenger; state supreme court overturns mask mandate

Uber must pay $1.1M after drivers discriminated against woman who is blind, arbitrator says

Uber has been ordered to pay a San Francisco woman—who is blind and uses a…

Apr 1, 2021 4:18 PM CDT

Lawyers find their skill sets make them ideal candidates for college presidencies

A rapidly growing number of lawyers have been chosen to lead higher education institutions during an era when experts say the job has become much more difficult because of the ever-increasing regulatory demands and crises presidents must confront.

Apr 1, 2021 3:30 AM CDT

Some lawyers have reinvented themselves to become ‘COVID-19 attorneys’

Apr 1, 2021 1:20 AM CDT

Reluctant trial witnesses should disclose vaccination status to judge, motion says

Witnesses who want to avoid in-person testimony at an upcoming trial should disclose their vaccination status and explain their bid to testify remotely, according to a motion filed in a suit alleging retirement-plan mismanagement.

Mar 31, 2021 12:15 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: No-mask lawyer’s lawsuit tossed; suit alleges 60-plus mistaken-identity arrests

Judge tosses case for lawyer’s refusal to wear mask

Judge Lawrence Knipel of New York City has tossed a car-crash lawsuit because of a lawyer’s refusal to wear a face…

Mar 29, 2021 4:39 PM CDT