The Education Department began the year with more than 4,000 employees. The administration also fired some probationary workers and offered employees the ability to resign. Altogether, after the terminations, the Education Department will have a work force of about half the size it did before Mr. Trump returned to office.

Immigration attorneys also say ICE is moving to reopen cases that were previously closed, including those involving unaccompanied minors and immigrants who applied for visas granted to victims of serious crimes. Legal experts say these “bad faith” tactics employed by ICE not only pressure people to self-deport, but also make it less likely criminal suspects are charged if victims or witnesses who are undocumented become less willing to report alleged perpetrators and cooperate with law enforcement.

(Subscription required) A multi-pronged bill that would prohibit California attorneys from sharing fees with so-called alternative business structures, or ABS, located outside the Golden State has sailed through the Legislature on Democratic support. AB 931 is awaiting a vote on the Senate floor and, if signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, would take effect Jan. 1.

Disparaging statements an attorney made to a credit card company about her client’s husband—in seeking to justify charges for legal services in a divorce case paid for by the wife, on the couple’s account—constitute protected activity and are covered by the litigation privilege, Div. Five of the First District Court of Appeal has determined.