Wake Up Call: Massachusetts Lawyer Mutiny Cues Jail Releases

Welcome to Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call, a daily rundown of the top news for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel.

• The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court activated an emergency measure requiring the release of jailed defendants without lawyers to address a mounting crisis caused by a work stoppage among court-appointed bar advocates. The protocol was triggered in Suffolk and Middlesex counties, where hundreds of indigent defendants are currently unrepresented due to attorneys refusing new cases while demanding higher pay. (The Boston Globe)
• Freshfields is launching a fully funded LL.M in law and technology for a select group of new junior lawyers, focused on how tech and artificial intelligence will reshape legal services. Offered in partnership with King’s College London’s law school, the program will start in September and includes a £20,000 maintenance grant, collaboration with the firm’s innovation team, and ongoing ties to the firm during study. (Artificial Lawyer)
• Officials in Tarrant County, Texas, approved a $250,000 contract with the right-wing Public Interest Legal Foundation to defend a gerrymandered redistricting map the firm itself created. The new map, already challenged in court by minority voters alleging racial discrimination, could help Republicans gain a seat on the Commissioners Court and potentially unseat Democrat Alisa Simmons, who described the move as “hiring the arsonist to put out the fire.” (Democracy Docket)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Jade Turner-Bond joined Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe as a partner in its public finance team in Los Angeles.
• Phil Baynes joined Weil, Gotshal & Manges as a partner in its private funds group in London. He joins from A&O Shearman.