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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

INQUIRING MINDS – The New York State Bar Association's governing body is set to consider this weekend whether to recommend the removal of inquiries about an applicant's mental health from future applications for admission to the state bar. Dan M. Clark reports the possible change comes after a bar working group was formed earlier this year to look into whether inquiries into applicants' mental health deters them from seeking treatment.

SIGNS - A federal judge in Georgia has called a halt to a county sheriff's plans to place warning signs for trick-or-treaters in front of the homes of people on the state's sex offender registry. R. Robin McDonald reports that Judge Marc Treadwell based his decision on First Amendment grounds, ruling that people who display signs in front of their homes likely intend to convey that the message is endorsed by them.

PAY DAY – Remember the $1.4 billion Equifax data breach settlement last summer? A bunch of plaintiffs lawyers do, and they're asking a judge for $77.5 million in attorney fees. Amanda Bronstad reports that lawyers from 13 firms appointed to the MDL say their fee request is reasonable given that it represents less than about 20% of the $380.5 million cash fund and only 5.6% of the settlement when including the other benefits to the class.

SUBPOENA FIGHT – Lawyers for the U.S. House and for an impeachment inquiry witness are set to appear in a D.C. court this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Richard Leon to hash out procedural issues in a dispute pitting a congressional subpoena against President Trump's demands the witness not testify. Charles Cooper of Washington's Cooper & Kirk represents the witness Charles Kupperman, a former Trump national security official. Cooper also represents John Bolton, whom the House wants to hear from on Nov. 7.

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EDITOR'S PICKS

Buckley Hits Back in Insurance Fight Sparked by Founder's Exit

'On the Verge of Tears': Jurors Were Caught Off Guard By J&J Talc Mistrial   

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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

GEARING UP – Erin Brockovich-backed plaintiff firm Shine Lawyers is investigating what it says would be Australia's largest class action on behalf of residents throughout Australia whose properties have been contaminated with the toxic firefighting foam PFAS. Christopher Niesche reports that the firm estimates up to 40,000 people live in communities affected by these chemicals.

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WHAT YOU SAID

"He may decide he doesn't like my testimony today and doesn't want me to go to Russia."

—  John Sullivan, former Mayer Brown partner nominated by President Trump to serve as ambassador to Russia, who testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that soliciting investigations into a domestic political opponent was not "in accord" with U.S. values.

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