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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

STREAMING - For the first time in history, the U.S. Supreme Court is set today to begin hearing arguments via teleconferencing—with audio streamed live to the public. Following steps taken by many federal and state courts in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the justices have scheduled six days of remote arguments over the next two weeks. Set for 10 a.m. is a case involving Booking.com. At issue is whether generic terms can become protected trademarks by the addition of a ".com" domain. Erica Ross, an assistant to the solicitor general, will be up first. Williams & Connolly's Lisa Blatt will argue next, for Booking.com.

NO ROOM - The decision by New York bar authorities to prioritize graduates of the state's 15 law schools for the rescheduled September bar exam has sparked opposition from law deans at top schools outside New York. Karen Sloan reports that the deans from the T-14 schools (excluding those in NY) and several others have fired off of a letter to NY Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, following an announcement last week by NY bar examiners that because of test crowding concerns amid the pandemic, the board will accept bar exam applications only from NY law school grads May 5-15. If space remains, the board would then open up applications to non-NY grads.

UNMASKED – A show cause hearing is set for this morning in a federal price-gouging lawsuit brought by 3M accusing a New Jersey company of trying to sell 3M's N95 masks for up to 600% of the list price. Judge Loretta A. Preska in New York's Southern District has ordered Performance Supply to explain why the court should not enter a preliminary injunction preventing it from using 3M's name and trademarks. The suggested list price of the two types of 3M N95s involved in this case is $1.02 to $1.31, but Performance Supply offered to sell 7 million masks to New York City at a rate of more than $6 per mask, according to court papers.

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EDITOR'S PICKS

Summer of Our Discontent: Big Law Associate Programs Get Major Overhaul

Davis Polk Doubles Down Against Ex-Associate in Race Bias Suit, Citing 'Deficient' Performance

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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

HARD TIMES – While the number of new coronavirus cases in Hong Kong has dropped to zero, law firms there are still struggling from the economic pain caused by the pandemic as well as from last year's disruptive demonstrations protesting China's increasing control over the territory. Those protests are expected to resume. Vincent Chow reports that at least a half dozen firms have resorted to cost-cutting measures such as downsizing or placing employees on unpaid leave to stay afloat. At the same time, U.K.-based Osborne Clarke and U.S.-based Orrick have shut down their Hong Kong operations amid the cumulative crisis.

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WHAT YOU SAID

"Don't undersell yourself, don't shy away from opportunities, and don't forget to take care of yourself."

— Michelle Lynn DiCuollo, partner at Littler Mendelson, offering her best piece of advice for an associate who wants to make partner.

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