NALP survey finds slow progress in female and minority lawyer representation in law firms
ABA JOURNAL — Progress is slow for law firms seeking to increase representation of female and minority lawyers, according to a new report by the National Association for Law Placement. Even though representation of female, minority and minority female lawyers reached historic highs in 2020, the gains were small.
Read More about NALP survey finds slow progress in female and minority lawyer representation in law firmsFordham Law student team wins ABA Arbitration Competition
FORDHAM LAW NEWS — On January 22, Fordham Law’s Dispute Resolution Society Domestic Arbitration teams advanced to the National semifinals and then won the 2020-2021 American Bar Association Arbitration Competition for Law Students. They beat Texas Tech University School of Law in the final round of the competition.
Read More about Fordham Law student team wins ABA Arbitration CompetitionCalifornia Supreme Court allows retroactive bar admission with supervised practice amid pass score changes
ABA JOURNAL — People who previously flunked the California bar exam but would have passed under a recently changed cut score can now obtain law licenses if they complete 300 hours of supervised practice. The change applies to test-takers between July 2015 and February 2020, who scored between 1390 and 1439 on the exam.
Read More about California Supreme Court allows retroactive bar admission with supervised practice amid pass score changesNCBE adopts series of bar exam recommendations
ABA JOURNAL — Recommendations for bar exam changes, including new types of questions and the evaluation of options for computer-delivered tests with in-person proctoring, were adopted Thursday by the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ board of trustees. Implementation is expected to take four to five years.
Read More about NCBE adopts series of bar exam recommendationsMichigan Supreme Court shifts to remote proceedings with spike in COVID-19 cases
ABA JOURNAL — Bridget Mary McCormack, chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, says courtis less intimidating on screen. The state purchased Zoom licenses and videoconferencing hardware for courts prior to the pandemic, but few judges used the tools until April.
Read More about Michigan Supreme Court shifts to remote proceedings with spike in COVID-19 casesTips for law students preparing for the bar exam
ABA FOR LAW STUDENTS — After graduation, future esquires are focused on one final milestone: passing their state’s bar exam. Studying for the bar exam can be stressful and overwhelming. The key to managing these feelings is to have a plan in place to guide exam preparation. Indeed, there is no single right way to prepare.
Read More about Tips for law students preparing for the bar examPodcast: University of Colorado Law professor Peter H. Huang discusses student well-being and online classes
ABA JOURNAL — Rather than focus on the restrictions of teaching via Zoom, Peter H. Huang zeroed in on how he could use the platform in innovative ways. The University of Colorado Law School professor enjoyed the creativity involved in thinking about different ways to conduct class, and he brainstormed on efficient ways to navigate change.
Read More about Podcast: University of Colorado Law professor Peter H. Huang discusses student well-being and online classesSurvey: Increased stress and health risks affect the professional and personal lives of judges
ABA JOURNAL — One in five judges who responded to a survey on job stress met at least one criteria for depressive disorder, according to survey results released late last month. The most common source of stress was the importance and impact of the decisions the judges are making, according to a study published in the 2020.
Read More about Survey: Increased stress and health risks affect the professional and personal lives of judgesArizona court system adopts cloud-based exhibit and evidence sharing platform to assist with virtual hearings
ABA JOURNAL — Arizona’s court system will begin utilizing Thomson Reuters’ cloud-based court exhibit and evidence sharing platform to assist with the handling of digital evidence across the state, it was announced Wednesday. The Digital Evidence Center tool will be helpful as most court hearings are held virtually due to COVID-19.
Read More about Arizona court system adopts cloud-based exhibit and evidence sharing platform to assist with virtual hearingsLaw firms testing platform to combat bias in hiring
ABA JOURNAL — Several BigLaw firms are testing a new AI-powered recruiting platform to combat unconscious bias in law firm hiring practices.The platform was offered last year to investment banking firms, which have since seen seven times more candidates from underrepresented groups and five times more candidates from nontarget schools.
Read More about Law firms testing platform to combat bias in hiring