COVID-19 Impacts on the Practice of Law

Waymaker

Diversity & Inclusion

Judge Benes Aldana: Asian Pacific American Trailblazer

By Judge Margaret Kuroda Masunaga (Ret.)

Judge Benes Aldana has learned invaluable lessons throughout his life— the most important being to respect all people. As president of the National Judicial College, he has exhibited resilient leadership, in part by diversifying available courses...

Features

Courts & Judiciary

Constitutional Long Haulers: The Undiagnosed Long-Term Impact of Judicial Review on Emergency Public Health Orders

By Justice David K. Thomson

Justice Thomson discusses the litigation surrounding public health orders and the judiciary’s role in defining how a government can respond to emerging and existing public health crises. He also addresses the lingering impacts judicial decisions...

Telecommunications

Zoomed in to Justice: Remote Proceedings During a Pandemic

By Judge Willie J. Epps Jr. and Cailynn D. Hayter

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced courthouses to close, judges were obligated to conduct remote hearings to keep their cases moving. Although not without its challenges, video teleconferencing has proven to be successful, providing more efficiency...

Courts & Judiciary

The Great Digital Accelerator

By Judge Samuel A. Thumma

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has put many aspects of our lives on hold, it has acted as a powerful force for rapid change in others. In the Arizona court system, it has proved a catalyst for the latest phase of digitization—a process that has...

Court Administration

Necessity and Invention: Seven Steps for Using Special Masters to Help Courts with the Pandemic Caseload

By Merril Hirsh

As we move to a post-pandemic world, courts will be faced with an enormous backlog of cases. Utilizing special masters should be part of the solution in helping courts deal with the demands left by the pandemic.

Court Administration

COVID-19 Impacts on Courts in Canada

By Judge Del Atwood

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on court operations in Canada, and many of the aftereffects have been disruptive. However, some of the adaptations to process and structure have been beneficial—and will likely be enduring.

Litigation & Trials

Does Jury Size Really Matter? Maybe. Maybe Not.

By Daniel E. Cummins

An increased difficulty in getting jurors to come to court, heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to the question: Is there really a difference between the traditional 12-member jury and one with six jurors?

Court Administration

Outreach Programs Thrive in Virtual Settings During COVID-19

By Judge Richard Fruin

The COVID-19 pandemic did not stop judicial outreach programs, but it inspired changes and innovations to programs, with most going virtual and allowing for greater reach.

Book Review

Tribal Law & Courts

The Cherokee Supreme Court: 1823–1835, by Judge J. Matthew Martin

Reviewed by Judge Mary-Margaret Anderson (Ret.)

All members of the legal community could use more education on the legal struggles of Native people. Judge J. Matthew Martin’s book The Cherokee Supreme Court: 1823–1835 offers a fascinating and rewarding glimpse into the origins of the Western...

Tribal Law & Courts

Sorting Out the Judge Martins in North Carolina

By Judge Mary-Margaret Anderson (Ret.)

The last name Martin is a common one in past and present Cherokee legal history. John Martin was an active member and leader of the Cherokee Nation and the first chief justice of the Cherokee Supreme Court.

Technology Column

Courts & Judiciary

Tech and No-Tech Security Considerations for Judges

By Judge Herbert B. Dixon Jr. (Ret.)

Judge Dixon discusses the need for judges to practice personal security awareness of their environment away from the courthouse, including considerations that involve little or no technology.

Ethics Column

Ethics

The Impact of COVID-19 on Judicial Ethics

By Marla N. Greenstein

Not known generally for their flexibility, judges were challenged to adapt, accommodate, and facilitate over the last year and a half in response to the pandemic—moving to remote hearings and virtual jury trials—all while maintaining the necessary...

Renew Your ABA Membership

COVID-19 Impacts on the Practice of Law

What a Difference a Year Makes

Waymaker

Judge Benes Aldana: Asian Pacific American Trailblazer

Features

Constitutional Long Haulers: The Undiagnosed Long-Term Impact of Judicial Review on Emergency Public Health Orders

Zoomed in to Justice: Remote Proceedings During a Pandemic

The Great Digital Accelerator

Necessity and Invention: Seven Steps for Using Special Masters to Help Courts with the Pandemic Caseload

COVID-19 Impacts on Courts in Canada

Does Jury Size Really Matter? Maybe. Maybe Not.

Outreach Programs Thrive in Virtual Settings During COVID-19

Book Review

The Cherokee Supreme Court: 1823–1835, by Judge J. Matthew Martin

Sorting Out the Judge Martins in North Carolina

Technology Column

Tech and No-Tech Security Considerations for Judges

Ethics Column

The Impact of COVID-19 on Judicial Ethics

ABA Resources

The ABA

Connect

Renew Your ABA Membership

American Bar Association TM American Bar Association

COVID-19 Impacts on the Practice of Law

What a Difference a Year Makes

Waymaker

Judge Benes Aldana: Asian Pacific American Trailblazer

Features

Constitutional Long Haulers: The Undiagnosed Long-Term Impact of Judicial Review on Emergency Public Health Orders

Zoomed in to Justice: Remote Proceedings During a Pandemic

The Great Digital Accelerator

Necessity and Invention: Seven Steps for Using Special Masters to Help Courts with the Pandemic Caseload

COVID-19 Impacts on Courts in Canada

Does Jury Size Really Matter? Maybe. Maybe Not.

Outreach Programs Thrive in Virtual Settings During COVID-19

Book Review

The Cherokee Supreme Court: 1823–1835, by Judge J. Matthew Martin

Sorting Out the Judge Martins in North Carolina

Technology Column

Tech and No-Tech Security Considerations for Judges

Ethics Column

The Impact of COVID-19 on Judicial Ethics

ABA Resources

The ABA

Connect