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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

GEARING UP - At least a dozen law schools—and likely more in coming days—are scrambling to pull together online learning programs and are facing the possibility of administering remote final exams as COVID-19 spreads. But many law faculty members have never taught a distance education class, and fewer than 10 law schools have J.D. programs that are mostly online. Reporter Karen Sloan interviews Nina Kohn, a Syracuse law professor who created that school's online JD program, about the potential pitfalls and possible solutions for building such programs. For Law.com's full coverage of the impact of COVID-19 on the legal industry, including law firm and court closings, go here.

FALLEN – Harvey Weinstein faces sentencing today in front of Manhattan Criminal Court Judge James Burke, who presided over the ex-Hollywood producer's trial that ended with a split verdict just two weeks ago. Jane Wester reports that Weinstein's defense team, including Chicago attorneys Donna Rotunno and Damon Cheronis, have asked for a sentence of five years in prison, which is the lowest option available under New York law. He could face a maximum of 29 years in prison, but prosecutors have yet to make a numerical recommendation to the judge. Weinstein was found guilty of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape.

BYE BOIES – Two more partners have defected from Boies Schiller to rival firms, bringing to 10 the total of partner exits from the firm this year. Patrick Smith reports that partner Chris Duffy in New York is taking his complex commercial litigation practice to Vinson & Elkins. Also departing is litigator Douglass Mitchell in D.C., who is joining Jenner & Block. 

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EDITOR'S PICKS

For Women Lawyers, Marriage Sucks

New York Delays Major Opioid Trial Due to Coronavirus Concerns 'Out of an Abundance of Caution'

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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

POT PIONEERS - Big Four accounting firm PwC is planning a move into the U.K.'s nascent cannabis market, Krishnan Nair reports. The firm is currently working with its regulatory and compliance teams to determine how to progress, in a move that would make it among the first major multinational firms to venture into the U.K. cannabis market. 

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WHAT YOU SAID

"I would say within five to seven years we're going to replace Quinn Emanuel as the next dominant global litigation firm, no question." 

— John Pierce, founder of Pierce Bainbridge, in an interview with The American Lawyer in August 2018. Pierce is on a leave of absence from the firm, according to a firm statement Tuesday morning, following an internal investigation showing that he accepted money from a lender for personal use.

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