Law deans and firm leaders urge DC Court of Appeals to adopt diploma privilege for new law graduates

August 20, 2020

BLOOMBERG LAW — The push to allow lawyers to practice without passing the bar exam in Washington, D.C. has gained some heavyweight support. Former Acting U.S. Solicitor General Neal Katyal and Sean Marotta, another Hogan Lovells Supreme Court practice group partner, urged the D.C. Court of Appeals on Wednesday to adopt a “diploma privilege.”

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Law graduates highlight technology flaws with Florida’s remote bar exam

August 20, 2020

LAW360 — A group of law graduates asked the Florida Supreme Court for help Monday as they deal with data security breaches, overheated computers and malfunctioning facial recognition features in the remote bar exam software that will be used for the online Florida bar exam scheduled for Aug. 19.

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Louisiana Supreme Court announces August and October online bar exams will be open book

August 20, 2020

THE NEW ORLEANS ADVOCATE — The unlucky group of people left taking Louisiana’s bar exam in August and October can call off the cramming. The Louisiana Supreme Court announced Wednesday that those registered for the August and October exams will have an open-book test that they can submit via email.

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Maryland law deans and law graduates urge state court of appeals to temporarily adopt diploma privilege

August 19, 2020

THE BALTIMORE SUN — Maryland law school deans and recent graduates are calling on the state’s highest court to waive the bar exam for new lawyers, citing concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Maine law graduates raise concern over in-person September bar exam

August 19, 2020

SUN JOURNAL — Maine’s top court has denied two requests to allow recent law school graduates to practice without taking this year’s bar exam, which was postponed by two months because of the pandemic.

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New Jersey Supreme Court plans to administer remote bar exam for October despite concerns over administration

August 19, 2020

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE — The bar exam, a punishing rite of passage into the legal profession, has been under attack as more experts question whether the two-day ordeal is really necessary to maintain the quality of lawyers.

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Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejects calls for diploma privilege and will administer an online bar exam in October

August 19, 2020

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER — The bar exam, a punishing rite of passage into the legal profession, has been under attack as more experts question whether the two-day ordeal is really necessary to maintain the quality of lawyers.

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Texas court holds virtual jury trial by video conference

August 19, 2020

SAN MARCOS DAILY RECORD — The jurors appeared on screen from their living rooms, bedrooms and home offices. Juror 11 took notes as a sheriff’s deputy testified about giving a speeding ticket. Juror 18 occasionally looked away as a white cat scampered across her couch.

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President Trump signs executive order suspending student loan payments

August 19, 2020

CNBC — On Saturday, President Donald Trump signed several executive actions aimed at addressing the financial impacts the coronavirus pandemic has had on the U.S. economy after Congress failed to pass a new stimulus package.

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Hundreds of colleges change reopening plans for fall semester

August 19, 2020

INSIDE HIGHER ED — Hundreds of colleges announced early this summer they would be reopening for in-person instruction this fall. As start dates near, many backtrack, citing a worsening health crisis.

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