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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

SHORT SEASON – With law firms dramatically shortening their summer associate programs because of the pandemic, is it even worth the effort? David Thomas reports that among them is Sidley, which will run a four-week program in its New York office, and Kirkland, which has reduced its program to two weeks. Both firms said they're paying participants what they intended to under the longer plan. And a little summer experience is better than nothing, says Scott Westfahl, director of Harvard Law School's executive education program.

PAY – In the NFL concussion litigation, the Third Circuit has largely affirmed the allocation of $112 million in fees for the attorneys who led the effort. Max Mitchell reports the court affirmed Judge Anita Brody's allocation but also found that she failed to give a full explanation for why she awarded just $350,000 to counsel for a group of objectors. Law firms Seeger Weiss is set to receive $51 million.

GRADS – Forget graduation gowns and awkward photos with the dean. Law schools have been forced to ditch the in-person pomp and circumstance commencement routine, with many holding "virtual" affairs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Karen Sloan reports. Some are getting creative, with slideshows and video yearbooks. Joe Biden was scheduled to speak at Columbia Law School. He'll do so remotely now.

EDITOR'S PICKS

'This Isn't a Gravy Train': The Curious Case of the Kirkland Email

Federal Judge Has a Word for Apple and Cisco: G-R-E-E-D

Baker & Hostetler Joins Ever-Growing List of Firms Cutting Pay

Embattled California Appeals Judge Says Sexual Misconduct Charges Don't Warrant Removal from Office

With Privacy Concerns Soaring, Zoom Hires Seasoned Lawyer to Focus on Government Relations

Trayvon Martin Family Lawyer Takes on Case of Ga. Man Shot Dead While Jogging

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

CLOSING – U.K.-based Stephenson Harwood has decided to close its Beijing office and revamp its Hong Kong location to focus on litigation, M&A and asset finance work. Vincent Chow reports that the office lost most of its lawyers in the last two years.

WHAT YOU SAID

"I can have lunch with a plaintiffs lawyer, we can go bowling, get tattoos or get our nails done–but we can't go to a hearing. As a trial lawyer it's really frustrating."