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
Things will change when Texas courthouses reopen: Judiciary lays Road map for after June 1 — Judges in face masks, constant courtroom cleanings, only two people per elevator and counsel tables moved six feet apart: These are some changes lawyers may notice when Texas courts start opening back up after June 1. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Texas Democrats ask a court to stop Attorney General Ken Paxton’s threats over mail-in voting — The Texas Democratic Party has asked a court to order state officials not to interfere with a previous court order that opened up mail-in voting in the state. — KUT – Austin
Do appellate deadlines apply during the COVID-19 pandemic? (video) — The Texas Supreme Court’s emergency orders do not automatically extend any appellate deadlines. — Appeal Plus blog
Analysis: Remote depositions bring ethics considerations for lawyers — This discussion looks at some of the most common ethical questions facing attorneys taking or defending remote depositions. (Subscription required) — Law360
COVID-19 procedures to reopen economy: Back to work is not necessarily back to normal — The question as to what measures to take to protect the health and safety of the public looms over the hopes of an economic recovery. — Defending Management blog
Even before coronavirus hit, debt collection lawsuits skyrocketed (audio) — The Supreme Court of Texas put a temporary moratorium on some court-ordered debt collections in response to the coronavirus. — KERA – Dallas
Debt collectors not stopping even as coronavirus pandemic continues (video) — Dominic Ribaudo, a staff attorney with Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, said he has seen an uptick in applications from clients needing help with consumer debt. — KTVT – Fort Worth
H-E-B, Costco, Walmart, Albertsons among grocery stores accused of price-gouging eggs in federal suit — H-E-B is one of three Texas-based grocery stores facing a federal lawsuit after a group of shoppers accused the stores, farms and wholesalers of price-gouging eggs during the coronavirus pandemic. — Austin American-Statesman
Texas DACA recipients working on pandemic’s front lines await Supreme Court ruling — More than 4,000 DACA recipients work in health care in Texas, including many in hospitals. A pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling will decide whether they can continue that work — and stay in the country. — The Texas Tribune
Texas county asks residents to report violations of reopening rules — Harris County has launched a website on which informers can lodge complaints about businesses reopening in violation of the governor’s Covid-19 orders, a move some say goes against the state’s pro-business ethic. — Courthouse News Service
Top Texas officials denounce Dallas salon owner’s jail sentence for defying orders to close — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton said the seven-day jail sentence was excessive. Paxton called for her immediate release. — The Texas Tribune
Who is Eric Moyé, the Dallas judge who jailed salon owner Shelley Luther? — Those who know state District Judge Eric Moyé say he’s a principled judge with a reverence for the law who doesn’t shy away from tough cases. — The Dallas Morning News
