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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

SLOW-GOING – California's governor has started discussions about how certain businesses will enter Phase Two of reopening. Meanwhile, the LA county officials unexpectedly announced yesterday that its stay-at-home order will be in place through July. So what's that mean for law firms in the Golden State? Lizzy McLellan reports on strategy they're taking, one "guided by science."

NUCLEAR VERDICTS – Law.com's analysis of the biggest verdicts and settlements in 2019 across the Southeast United States reveals that cases involving asbestos contamination, sexual assault, shootings and dram shop hit-and-runs proved most costly for defendants in premises liability trials. Meanwhile, claims involving fatal commercial truck crashes landed the hardest punches for auto negligence defendants. The majority of payouts occurred in Florida and Georgia.

ADJUSTMENTS – The ABA began mulling changes to its law school distance education rules long before the pandemic forced all law school classes online this spring. But, as Karen Sloan reports, with the question becoming particularly pressing as law school administrators make plans for the fall, the issue will take center stage Friday when the ABA's law school accrediting arm meets virtually. It will consider eliminating some of the red tape on approval for law school programs that fall outside the traditional in-class format.

EDITOR'S PICKS

'We All Know It's About the President': Trump Finds Defenders at Supreme Court in Tax Returns Case

Cooley Resists Cuts as CEO Peers Into a Post-Pandemic Future

Equifax Judge Orders 'Serial Objectors' to Post Appeal Bonds

United Airlines Elevates Former General Counsel to President

New Book 'Shortlisted' Spotlights Nine Women Passed Over for Supreme Court

LawGeex Raises $20 Million, Underscoring Contract Tech's Resilience in COVID-19 Economy

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

CLOSED – Vinson & Elkins has shut down its Beijing office as the U.S. law firm retreats from Asia following a significant drop in oil and gas work in the region. Anna Zhang reports that the Hong Kong office remains open, although the firm said it's evaluating its plans there.

WHAT YOU SAID

"Our view of what makes for a good case is where the defendant tries to deny that the sky is blue or that gravity works. Then juries can be quite punishing."