More police departments are training officers in de-escalation techniques, but does it work?

Could police have avoided killing—whether the victims were armed or not? Advocates of de-escalation believe that many such deaths can be prevented. Yet what de-escalation means and how effective it is remain subject to debate.

Jun 1, 2021 3:30 AM CDT

Do varying legal definitions of race leave room for abuse?

The federal government does not have precise legal definitions of what it means to be a member of a particular race. And with no centralized federal guidance, federal and state agencies have pieced together definitions, applying them in disparate settings. In recent years, these inconsistent definitions have been criticized for allowing undeserving people to fit themselves into racial categories to benefit from contracts, jobs or university admissions slots intended for racial or ethnic minorities.

Jun 1, 2021 3:15 AM CDT

Bigoted attacks must be met with stronger protections

For a variety of reasons, including voluntary reporting and a lack of police training or acknowledgment of bias incidents, tracking hate crimes is challenging and imperfect.

Jun 1, 2021 2:40 AM CDT

Working remotely for the first time? Here are lessons from a lawyer who’s done it for 13 years

“The pandemic has done what I never thought possible, validating what I have known for some time: When one works from home, one is actually working. Despite the industry’s negative projections during the early stages of COVID-19, our firm had a profitable year with all of us working from home,” writes Tracey Mihelic, senior counsel at Husch Blackwell.

Jun 1, 2021 2:30 AM CDT

This voting rights advocate and ‘Jeopardy!’ champ is ready with the right answers

In addition to appearing on Jeopardy! last year, Zach Newkirk was involved with a lawsuit against then-President Donald Trump on behalf of those injured during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in Lafayette Square.

Jun 1, 2021 2:20 AM CDT

The new frontier of health care is here, but will DNA privacy be lost?

Advocates are concerned about the privacy of data collected by genetic testing companies; what control consumers have over their DNA data once it’s been submitted to 23andMe and other genetic testing firms; and what recourse consumers have if companies’ assurances of privacy prove unreliable.

Jun 1, 2021 1:30 AM CDT

Could international animal rights laws prevent the next pandemic? Rajesh Reddy has a plan

“You can be vigilant in how you work to prevent zoonotic diseases and spillovers from different species, but that doesn’t help you if your neighbors aren’t following the same rules and protocols,” says Rajesh Reddy.

Jun 1, 2021 12:50 AM CDT

ABA-backed Family Justice Initiative has improved access to counsel in child welfare cases

For parents and their children, the child welfare legal system can be confusing and intimidating. That’s where a good lawyer comes in.

Jun 1, 2021 12:20 AM CDT

Several law firms plan to make Juneteenth a permanent paid holiday; will it become an industry standard?

The “vast majority” of several dozen law firms contacted by Law360 Pulse plan to make Juneteenth a permanent holiday after observing it last year.

May 27, 2021 10:16 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Kristen Clarke confirmed as DOJ civil rights chief; SCOTUS chief justice speaks to law grads

Senate confirms Kristen Clarke

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Kristen Clarke to head the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division on a 51-48 vote. Clarke was president and…

May 26, 2021 4:31 PM CDT

Plaintiff who alleges hip implant injuries must turn over Fitbit data, federal judge rules

A plaintiff who alleges that he was injured by a defective hip implant must turn over data from his Fitbit to the defendant, a federal judge ruled Monday.

May 26, 2021 10:49 AM CDT

To increase veterans’ access to legal aid, providers should work with VA, break down ‘silos,’ new report says

Legal aid providers should expand collaboration with programs of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help provide comprehensive services for veterans, according to a task force report released Tuesday.

May 26, 2021 10:15 AM CDT

How to handle tough conversations on whether to return to the office

The question is on every lawyer’s mind these days: When will management beckon me to return to my law firm office? And the related questions also weigh heavily: Do I want to do it? Can I do it? Will I do it?

May 26, 2021 9:53 AM CDT

As lawyer stress escalates during pandemic, LAP agencies see significant increase in calls

Mental health workers say lawyers are more anxious, stressed, depressed and burned out than ever, which was already a lot. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, may have lessened the stigma around attorneys seeking mental health services.

May 26, 2021 9:15 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: BigLaw firm requires tests for unvaccinated; Florida will fine social media for candidate bans

BigLaw firm requires COVID-19 tests for unvaccinated

Lawyers and staff members at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom who don’t get vaccines will have to test negative for COVID-19 within…

May 25, 2021 4:39 PM CDT