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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

ENOUGH? Many law firms have turned to voluntary and rotating remote policies, as opposed to out-right brick-and-mortar office closures amid the coronavirus pandemic. As Dylan Jackson reports, some experts say those partial measures may not cut it. Dr. Robert Freedman, an infectious disease expert with 33 years of experience, questions why firms can't require their attorneys and staff to work from home in light of how quickly COVID-19 is spreading.

ACCESS DENIED – The Ninth Circuit is among the latest courts to shut down public access. As Alaina Lancaster reports, the court has closed its doors to everyone but judges and staff and called for live-streaming hearings. The order also "strongly encouraged" lawyers to mail in paper copies of briefs instead of hand delivering. For information on other court closings, go here.  

DELAYED – Now clearly is not the time for a get-together. Meredith Hobbs reports that Troutman Sanders and Pepper Hamilton are postponing their merger from April 1 to July 1, due to COVID-19. The firms' announcement said delaying the tie-up is in the best interest of their lawyers, staff and clients. 

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EDITOR'S PICKS

Big Law Goes Remote: Updates on Law Firm Closures During the Coronavirus Crisis

Predicting 3-Month Interruption Over COVID-19, Judiciary Requests $7 Million in Emergency Funds

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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

BIG HIT – France's antitrust authority has fined Apple a record-high $1.2 billion, ruling that the U.S.-based tech giant had entered into cartel-like agreements with two wholesalers and abused its market position and economic power to impose higher prices to resellers. Anne Bagamery reports the two wholesalers, Tech Data and Ingram Micro, were fined $84.9 million and $70.2 million, respectively.

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WHAT YOU SAID

"I crammed a lot into my head over the past couple of weeks."

|— E. Joshua Rosenkranz, partner at Orrick and lawyer for Oracle in a seminal copyright case against Google at the U.S. Supreme Court, commenting on prepping for oral arguments originally scheduled for this month, which, as of Monday, have been postponed due to COVID-19.

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