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WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

AFTERMATH – The death of Jeffrey Epstein last week in a Manhattan jail cell has complicated the path for victims of the disgraced financier seeking to recover from his estate, with a slew of questions remaining about his assets. Tom McParland reports that while lawyers for the victims of the alleged sex trafficker have vowed to move ahead with civil suits against his estate, it remains largely unknown how much money he had and where he kept it. Those questions, attorneys said, would be key to probate proceedings, which likely will take place in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which prosecutors identified as Epstein’s primary residence before his arrest in early July.

OPEN WINDOW – More than 400 lawsuits were filed Wednesday across New York state against the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts and other institutions, marking the first day of a one-year window to file historic claims of child sex abuse. Jack Newsham reports that plaintiffs attorneys say many more cases are in the pipeline. The one-year window, which opened at 12:01 a.m. yesterday, allows victims previously beyond the state’s statute of limitations to file claims.

IN FOCUS – The showdown last week between Burford Capital and investment firm Muddy Waters, which published a report calling Burford “arguably insolvent,” has put a spotlight on the Wild West aspect of litigation funding. Alaina Lancaster reports that while some legal experts say the clash—with Muddy Waters claiming Burford is overblowing its financial returns potential—comes from a lack of knowledge about litigation funding, more regulation of the industry could follow the publicly-aired spat.

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EDITOR’S PICKS

Former Alito Clerk Steven Menashi Gets Trump Nod for 2nd Circuit

Soaring Debt Loads and Plunging Bar Pass Rates: Legal Education by the Numbers

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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

SELECTED – U.K. insurance giant Aviva has renewed its list of law firms for its group and investor panels, handing spots to 10 firms including Allen & Overy and Slaughter and May. Rose Walker reports that the Magic Circle duo has been appointed to the group panel, in addition to Eversheds Sutherland, DLA Piper, Pinsent Masons, CMS and RPC. On the investors panel, DLA Piper and Eversheds also have been added, along with Ashurst, Addleshaw Goddard, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner and CMS. The insurance company last held a full panel review in 2013.

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WHAT YOU SAID

“In this particular time for the ABA, we have, I think, put a lot of resources and attention on what do we need to be in order to be the organization that people are drawn to.”

—  JUDY PERRY MARTINEZ, NEWLY SWORN-IN PRESIDENT OF THE ABA, ON INCREASING THE NUMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION’S MEMBERS, WHICH HAS DECLINED BY 60,000 OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.

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