The Federal Bar Association remains open on a virtual basis. Our goal during this time is to be as helpful and informative as possible to our members. We want to connect with you and provide you with resources and support. We have compiled information to help our members stay connected and informed.
In an effort to learn more about its members’ needs and how the legal profession is adapting to the COVID-19 era, the FBA conducted a national survey of its 17,000 members from June 1 to June 10, 2020. The 28-question survey focused on court operations, practice concerns, and bar programming. Read the full report here.
Federal Legal Resources and Information
Timely Presentations on Policy and Vaccine Responses
Coronavirus Public Health Statistics and Policy Responses, Nov 23, 2020
An overview of the COVID-19 pandemic, including response from the United States, international action, and cases worldwide.
Coronavirus Treatment and Vaccine Development, Nov 23, 2020
An overview of treatment development for COVID-19, including vaccine trials and antiviral drug development.
Coronavirus Vaccine Allocation and Distribution Nov 24, 2020
An overview of federal guidelines for COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts including distribution logistics, phased allocation, administration, data monitoring and potential implementation barriers faced by states.
Federal Court Updates
Conducting Trials and Convening Grand Juries During the Pandemic, COVID-19 Judicial Task Force, Report of the Jury Subgroup, June 4, 2020.
Federal Judiciary COVID-19 Recovery Guidelines, April 27, 2020
Coronavirus: The Latest Court Closures and Restrictions, Law360.
Federal Court Orders and Updates During COVID-19 Epidemic, United States Courts.
Federal Judiciary Preparedness for COVID-19, United States Courts.
Courts Deliver Justice Virtually Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, U.S. Courts, April 8, 2020.
Many Immigration Courts Continue In-Person Operations, Despite Calls to Pause, (Judge Mimi Tsankov interview), NPR, April 2, 2020.
Despite Pandemic, New Federal Lawsuits Still Flowing, Law360, April 7, 2020.
Ongoing Impacts of the Coronavirus on Litigation Activity in Federal District Court, Lex Machina, April 6, 2020.
Federal Legal Authorities: Laws and Regulations
Memorandum of the Attorney General regarding Balancing Public Safety with the Preservation of Civil Rights, April 27, 2020.
Conor Friedersdorf, Analysis: How to Protect Civil Liberties in a Pandemic, The Atlantic, April 24, 2020.
Eugene Volokh, Liberty of Movement and Assembly, The Volokh Conspiracy, April 4, 2020.
Legal Authorities for Isolation and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Specific Laws and Regulations Governing the Control of Communicable Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
State Quarantine and Isolation Statutes, National Conference of State Legislatures.
Federal Executive Emergency Authorities to Address COVID-19, Lawfare, April 2, 2020.
How Much Liberty Must We Give Up: A Constitutional Analysis of the Coronavirus Lockdown Proposals, Just Security, April 6, 2020.
Quarantine and Isolation Authorities in States Affected by COVID-19, Lawfare, April 6, 2020.
Jonathan Turley, “Trump Says It’s His Call to Reopen the Country. The Constitution Says Otherwise.” Washington Post, April 14, 2020.
FBA Interview with Jonathan Turley regarding Federal vs. State Authority to Reopen the American Economy, April 17, 2020.
Transcript of FBA Interview with Jonathan Turley regarding Federal vs. State Authority to Reopen the American Economy, April 17, 2020.
Jeffrey Rosen, Hamilton Would Not Have Stood for Trump’s Constitutional Theory, The Atlantic, April 17, 2020.
National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen on Constitutional Rights and the Coronavirus Pandemic C-SPAN, April 20, 2020.
“Expanding Electronic Access to the Federal Courts: the Pandemic’s Unexpected Opportunity,” Hon. Jeremy Fogel, Berkeley Judicial Institute, April 21, 2020.
Law in the Time of COVID-19 (Free e-Book), Katharina Pistor, Columbia University, April 2020
“Could Zoom jury trials become the norm during the coronavirus pandemic?”, Matt Reynolds, ABA Journal, May 11, 2020.
“Pandemic power plays: Civil liberties in the time of COVID-19”, Jenny B. Davis, ABA Journal, April 21, 2020.
COVID-19 and the Constitution – Key Takeaways, Jackie McDermott and Lana Ulrich, National Constitution Center, April 15, 2020.
National Constitution Center Podcasts:
The Constitution and the Coronavirus, March 19, 2020
Governing During Social Distancing, March 26, 2020.
Civil Liberties and COVID-19, April 2, 2020.
Is COVID-19 Hurting Global Democracy?, April 9, 2020.
The Supreme Court Goes Remote, April 16, 2020.
Who Has the Power to “Reopen” the Country, April 23, 2020.
Will Coronavirus Change Criminal Justice?, April 30, 2020.
State Attorneys General on Coronavirus, May 12, 2020.
COVID-19 Resources, The Network for Public Health Law.
Coronavirus News, National Law Review.
Coronavirus Closing Courts, Law360.
Coronavirus Outbreak, Bloomberg Law.
Essential Cover-19 Resources for Attorneys, Bloomberg Law
Congress and CARES Act
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, Pub.L. 116-136).
CARES Act – Tax Relief for Individuals and Businesses, Congressional Research Service, April 1, 2020.
Coronavirus and Congressional Action, FBA and National Journal, March 27, 2020.
Webinar: Coronavirus-Congressional Action, FBA and National Journal, April 6, 2020
Congressional Research Service Reports
Business Interruption Insurance and COVID-19, Congressional Research Service, March 31, 2020.
The Defense Production Act (DPA) and COVID-19: Key Authorities and Policy Considerations, Congressional Research Service, March 18, 2020
COVID-19: Current Travel Restrictions and Quarantine Measures, Congressional Research Service, March 17, 2020.
Federal and State Quarantine and Isolation Authority, Congressional Research Service, October 9, 2014.
Additional reports from Congressional Research Service, InfoDocket.
Additional Resources
Coronavirus-Impact on Elections, Produced by National Journal, July 20, 2020
Coronavirus: The Latest Court Closures And Restrictions, Law360, May 19 , 2020
Federal Courts, Crises, and the Novel Coronavirus: How America’s Courts Respond to Exigent Circumstances*, By Blake N. Humphrey, 3L at West Virginia University College of Law
Why There’s No National Lockdown, The Atlantic, March 31, 2020.
Federal Executive Emergency Authorities to Address COVID-19, Lawfare, April 2, 2020.
CLE Resources
The Federal Bar Association has compiled resources to help our members navigate CLE requirements and is offering new CLE opportunities to stay connected and in compliance with state bar regulations. Learn more.