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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

TRIAL RUN – In a move that could prove instructive to other courts across the country, Texas trial court personnel will spend the first half of the summer conducting experiments to determine best practices for holding jury trials while keeping participants safe from infection by COVID-19, Angela Morris reports. According to Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, the idea to start gradually with experimental proceedings was itself inspired by an Ohio judge's disastrous attempt to hold a criminal trial in April, which was ultimately cancelled when the defendant experienced difficulty breathing and went to the hospital.

ARE BOUTIQUES BACK?  - The boutique boom we saw during the Great Recession—driven by mounting rate pressure in a rough economy—has largely given way in recent years to merger mania. But if anything could potentially reverse that trend on a dime, it's COVID-19. The founders of Chicago-based boutique Croke Fairchild Morgan & Beres told reporter David Thomas that their firm is actually growing during the global pandemic, thanks to one simple advantage: the ability to offer lower rates than their former Big Law colleagues. Going small might be the next big thing…again.

BAR FIGHT – SCOTUS has a busy day ahead. In addition to a host of qualified immunity challenges, 10 gun-related petitions and the Trump administration's fight with California over its immigration laws, the justices are set to consider during their private conference today whether mandatory state bar fees violate the First Amendment, Marcia Coyle reports.  At a time when voluntary bar associations are struggling to retain and grow their memberships and revenues, a case taking aim at their mandatory counterparts is sure to be closely watched by the legal community.

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EDITOR'S PICKS

Lender Says Pierce Bainbridge and Founder Owe Nearly $4 Million

General Counsel May Not Be Reaching Their Executive Potential

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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

TWO'S A CROWD – Punctuality is more important than ever if you work for Big Four accountancy firm PwC and need to visit one of its offices in Spain. Varsha Patel reports the company has debuted a new mobile app designed to prevent overcrowding at its office entrances as the country attempts to reopen amid COVID-19. PwC Turnos allows staff members in Spain to reserve a slot of 25 minutes to arrive at the office between 8:30 to 10:30, and reservations must be shown at the entrance.

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WHAT YOU SAID

"All the things that make an on-campus education so warm and welcoming will now be doused with a bottle of bleach."

— Josh Blackman, professor at the South Texas College of Law—Houston, on the price to pay for resuming in-person law school classes under COVID-19 protocols this fall.

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