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Free legal resources are available to low-income individuals affected by flooding and other conditions created by Hurricane Nicholas. The State Bar of Texas’s toll-free disaster legal services hotline—800-504-7030—puts callers in touch with legal aid providers in their areas who can help with: Replacement of important legal documents lost or destroyed in the disaster; Life, medical, and property insurance claims; Home repair contracts and contractors; Consumer protection issues such as price-gouging and avoiding contractor scams in the recovery process; Counseling on landlord-tenant problems; and other matters. The hotline assists callers in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. People who qualify for assistance will…
Many companies in Texas utilize employee non-compete agreements to protect their business interests and keep trade secrets from spreading through their industry. Recently, an executive order released by the White House on July 9, 2021 targets non-compete agreements and clauses in an alleged attempt to create a more open and competitive economy for workers. Many states outlaw or severely restrict non-competes, but allow lawsuits for theft of trade or proprietary information. Currently, Texas law generally upholds non-compete agreements that are considered “reasonable” in scope and are supported by valid consideration. To be considered reasonable, a Texas non-compete agreement must have…
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Erica Grigg Erica Grigg credits the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program with saving her life. This month, she became director of the 37-year-old program. The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP) provides confidential help, referrals, and peer assistance programs to lawyers, judges, and law students experiencing mental health or substance use disorders. “Years ago, I reached out to TLAP for help while in the throes of alcohol addiction and untreated, severe depression. This program and its resources saved my life and career,” Grigg said. “It is the honor of a lifetime to now have the opportunity to give back to TLAP and…
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Clearly defining all expectations and responsibilities related to fees, billing, and payments during client intake can go a long way toward preventing chargebacks and payment disputes down the road. In this article, we’ll share a few examples of sample billing language for attorneys that can help reduce late and non-payments and make sure you get paid for your hard work. Sample Billing Language for Attorneys: 3 Essential Examples To be confident that you and your new clients are on the same page from the initial conversation, there are a few topics you should consider covering either in your attorney fee…
St. Mary’s University School of Law will launch the first fully online juris doctor program approved by the American Bar Association in fall 2022. St. Mary’s University plans to enroll 25 students in the first cohort of the five-year pilot program. The St. Mary’s University program is the first to offer all credit-bearing courses online by design. “As the only law school serving San Antonio and the southernmost school serving South Texas, St. Mary’s Law has a tradition of excellence in legal education stretching back to its founding in 1927,” said Patricia Roberts, St. Mary’s Law Dean and Charles E.…
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Shannon Davis Hunter, of Coats Rose, has been selected as a fellow in Leadership Houston Class XL. Leadership Houston XL is a 10-month signature program for community leaders that will culminate with a civic class project to effect positive change and the development of individual, personal plans for future civic engagement. Hunter is a partner in Coats Rose’s Affordable Housing and Community Development Practice in Houston. She represents public housing authorities, housing developers, syndicators, and investors with leveraging various products, including HOPE VI funds, low-income housing tax credits, private activity tax-exempt bonds, investment syndications, and conventional loans. For more information…
Editor’s Note: In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Texas Bar Blog is republishing this article from the May 2005 issue of the Texas Bar Journal about Texas lawyers called to active-duty military service. By Morgan Morrison More than 300,000 members of the U.S. Reserve and National Guard have been called to active duty military service since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and many others served in the preceding decade on missions throughout the world. These men and women left their civilian lives for assignments such as training soldiers for the new Afghan and Iraqi…
The State Bar of Texas Hispanic Issues Section and the Texas Access to Justice Foundation will host a “LAW-teria” to benefit the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and legal aid efforts throughout Texas. The virtual game night will take place from 5 to 6:30 pm. on September 16 via Zoom. To participate in the event, attendees are encouraged to donate to enter the game and will receive a game card via email. The event will also feature door prizes and intermission entertainment. Donations can be made at teajf.org/donate/LawTeria.aspx. Special guests include Justice Gina Benavides, State Bar President Sylvia Borunda Firth,…
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Join local bars and the State Bar of Texas in celebrating the Texas Day of Civility in the Law from noon to 1:30 p.m. CDT on September 17 via Zoom. Register here. The free CLE webinar will feature keynote speaker Judge Carl Stewart of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit and panelists Jennifer Brown, chief legal officer, Baylor Scott & White Health; Dr. Cindy Pladziewicz, J.D., Ph.D.; Allen Pusey, senior editor of The Texas Lawbook and former editor and publisher of the ABA Journal; the Hon. Carolyn Wright, retired chief justice of the 5th District Court…