Want to get this daily news briefing by email? Here's the sign-up.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

RULES CHANGE—AGAIN – Two weeks ago, lawyers in several states had options when it came to wearing masks. But a spike in coronavirus cases has meant mandatory mask use in courthouses across the nation. In Connecticut, for instance, Robert Storace reports that visitors to the state's three federal courthouses will have to wear masks. Similar mandates took effect in Florida, as court administrators balance public safety and judicial efficiency, raising questions about the ability to continue in-person jury trials.

AVENATTI'S ACCUSER – Former client Alexis Gardner alleged Michael Avenatti used her settlement funds to purchase a jet, while allegedly leading her to believe he was awaiting the funds. Meghann M. Cuniff reports Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Sagel worked to establish during his direct examination of Gardner that Avenatti allegedly wasn't trying to force payments for Gardner in the litigation. Allegedly the opposing side's financial adviser had paid Avenatti's law firm $2.75 million a year earlier, and the final $250,000 wasn't due until November 2020. There were allegedly no monthly payments, despite what Avenatti had told Gardner. Instead, Avenatti had allegedly spent the $2.75 million on a jet, and he was using other money from his firm to make sporadic payments to Gardner that he told her were coming from the defendant in that case.

MARIJUANA AND PARENTING RIGHTS -  Charles Tourtant reports on evolving attitudes toward marijuana. As New Jersey's recreational cannabis industry gears up for retail sales to the public, an appeals court has resolved a potential obstacle for some customers. Parents' use of recreational cannabis isn't, by itself, a sufficient basis for the state to take away their children, the Appellate Division ruled Monday. But case-specific evidence that such usage puts a child in danger, even if the risk is only prospective and no actual harm has occurred, is sufficient to terminate parental rights, the appeals court said.

EDITOR'S PICKS

Jones Day Retained to Defend Experian From Fair Credit Reporting Claims