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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

DOWNSIZING – Law firms in New York trying to adjust to business in the COVID-19 era are cutting staff. Jack Newsham reports that two firms—400-lawyer Goldberg Segalla and 50-lawyer Belkin Burden Goldman—have laid off staff in recent days, and Belkin Burden is also cutting salaries. Robinson Brog, a midsize New York firm, has also made staff cuts recently.

TRIAL HALT – The suspension of all jury trials across California for 60 days has California lawyers and judges confronting the implications. Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, in ordering the suspension, said that the courts had not been able to comply with requirements for Californians to stay home and to maintain six feet of distance among themselves. As Cheryl Miller reports,  attorneys and judges largely are endorsing the sweeping order issued earlier this week.

HEADS UP? Does the WARN Act apply to layoffs due to COVID-19? That's a question lawyers are considering now, Dan Clark reports. Under the federal law, companies must give 60 days notice when 50 or more employees will be impacted by a layoff. One exemption is for unforeseen circumstances. While the current situation likely fits into that exemption, there is no Department of Labor guidance yet on the issue.

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EDITOR'S PICKS

Former Partner Accuses Shutts & Bowen and 2 Colleagues of Defamation, Civil Conspiracy

Facebook, Reddit's Efforts to Escape Fox TV Host's Suit Raise Novel Questions

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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

PRUDENT – Publicly-listed U.K. law firm Gateley has canceled its interim dividend—an amount payable to shareholders—in a bid to hedge against the short-term economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Krishnan Nair reports that the firm announced that it was now "prudent" to cancel the payout in order to maximize the firm's short-term liquidity.

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WHAT YOU SAID

"It's a little bizarre to know that I won't be able to shake a professor's hand at graduation and thank them for everything they've done for me."

— Zack Faircloth, third-year student at SMU Dedman School of Law, on the cancellation of commencement ceremonies for upcoming graduates.

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