Friday, April 28, 2017

Top 10 from Texas Bar Today: Family Laundry, Mission Leave, and Super Highway

Originally published by Joanna Herzik.

TexasBarTodayTopTenBadgeJune2016To highlight some of the posts that stand out from the crowd, the editors of Texas Bar Today have created a list from the week’s blog posts of the top ten based on subject matter, writing style, headline, and imagery. We hope you enjoy this installment.

10. Discovery Sanction Award OverturnedThomas J. Crane of Law Office of Thomas J. Crane @tomjcrane in San Antonio

9. Your Professional Portrait Is Much More Than a Picture – Amy Boardman Hunt of Muse Communications, LLC @MuseCommLLC

8. Paid Mission Leave: Has Its Time Come?Bush Law Firm in The Woodlands

7. How Hollywood Got Auto Accidents All Wrong – Kristopher Rodriguez of Herrman & Herrman @herrmanlawfirm in Corpus Christi

6. Eating Disorders: A Secret In The Legal ProfessionBrian Cuban @bcuban

5. Avoiding the Litigation Super HighwayRob Radcliff @robradcliff of Weinstein Radcliff LLP in Dallas

4. Adidas Loses Iconic Three-Stripe Trademark Registration in the EU – Peggy Keene of Klemchuk LLP @K_LLP in Dallas

3. Presentation Tip: Work the Room Before the Room is AssembledCordell Parvin @cordellparvin of Cordell Parvin LLC in Dallas

2. Bad Judgment on Social Media May Lead to Job Offer WithdrawalsAndrovett Legal Media & Marketing @AndrovettLegal

1. “Airing the Family Laundry:” Can Arbitration Clauses Avoid Public Scrutiny in Probate and Estate Litigation?Kenny Sumner of Romano & Sumner, LLC @RomanoSumner in Sugar Land

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Discovery Sanction Award Overturned

Originally published by Thomas J. Crane.

Most lawyers avoid discovery sanctions like the plague. Yet, some parties accept the risk. One recent sanctions award amounted to $2.7 million. In a lawsuit entitled Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. v. Haeger, the U.S. Supreme Court heard an appeal regarding that very lag sanction award. Justice Elena Kagan ruled in a unanimous opinion that the amount was too large. It exceeds the fees incurred by the wronged party due to Goodyear’s discovery abuse.

The parties had reached an agreement to settle the lawsuit when the plaintiffs learned that Goodyear had failed to produce the results of a tire test. The Arizona judge awarded sanctions based on the legal fees incurred since the date when the defendant failed to produce the requested information. The Supreme Court court, however, said that was error. The amount of the fees should be based on fees incurred due to the discovery abuse. The higher court required a “But for” standard that looks at the expenses incurred due to the discovery abuse. The court asks what would have been incurred but for the discovery abuse.

The plaintiffs responded that $2 million in attorney fees were incurred after the abuse was discovered. The parties would have settled otherwise, they argued. But, the Supreme Court noted the district court awarded $2 million in fees if the $2.7 million was overturned, indicating the district court did not believe the $2.7 million was directly due to the discovery abuse. The federal district court would have to reconsider its $2 million contingent award in night of the Supreme Court ruling. See ABA Bar Journal report.

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TCEQ Approves Camelot Landfill Expansion

Originally published by Environmental and Energy Law Blog.

On April 4, The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) tentatively approved an application to expand the Camelot Landfill by the City of Farmer’s Branch.

In October 2016, the Lewisville approved an application by the Farmers Branch to expand the Camelot site, which is located within the city of Lewisville. This came after a four-year legal battle between the two cities over new ordinances  implemented by Lewisville. A final permit is slated to be issued by May 4, provided that a contested hearing or reconsideration is not requested before then.

The landfill was initially permitted in 1979, but the property was not annexed into Lewisville until 1987. The cities of Lewisville and Carrollton filed a federal lawsuit against Farmer’s Branch over the proposed expansion, citing concerns over the pollution risks the landfill posed to the Woodbine Aquifer.

Camelot Landfill Settlement

As part of the settlement in 2015, Farmers Branch agreed to install several monitoring wells into the landfill. Then, the Texas legislature passed a law in the last session state that Lewisville would need to consent to any expansion. While test results of the wells last October indicated trace amounts of dichloroethylene,  those numbers are said to be declining.

During the approval period, the TCEQ considered numerous comments submitted by residents, many of who expressed concerns about ground water pollution and the impact the landfill would have on the community’s water supply. They also argued that existing groundwater contamination should be remediated prior to the proposed expansion being approved. In addition, other residents questioned whether the monitoring wells were effective, as well as the propose height of the expanded landfill.

Reasons Camelot Landfill Expansion Was Approved

Nonetheless, TCEQ approved the expansion, noting Farmers Branch’s track record of compliance and that the city was not responsible for the surrounding area’s drinking water standards. The commission also noted Farmers Branch will be installing 10 new monitoring wells and is taking corrective action to mitigate dichloroethylene in three existing wells. Lastly, the TCEQ noted that the landfill would eventually be covered with grass when it is completed.

The Takeaway

Whether or not community members request a reconsideration or contested hearing prior to the permit being issued in May remains to be seen. In the meantime, this story highlights the need balance the needs of the community with the safe and proper transfer and disposal of waste. Ultimately, resolving these issues required the advice and counsel of an experienced health, safety and environmental attorney.

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Thursday, April 27, 2017

Texas House honors memory of former Chief Justice Jack Pope

Originally published by Jillian Beck.

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Colleagues, friends, and family of former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jack Pope Jr. gathered in the Texas House chambers on April 27 to honor the memory of the judicial trailblazer who died in February at the age of 103.

State officials read aloud House Resolution 1228—adopted by the House on April 13—which memorializes Pope, laying out the life history, career, and legal accomplishments of the jurist, who had the longest judicial tenure in Texas history.

“He was an extraordinary person who acted as a common man,” said state Rep. Travis Clardy, a co-author of the resolution, before leading a moment of silence. “He has been a tremendous example to lawyers and judges across the state.”

Read the Texas Supreme Court’s tribute to the late chief justice on its website.

Photo: State Rep. Travis Clardy speaks about former Chief Justice Jack Pope Jr. as colleagues, friends, and family stand nearby in the Texas House chambers on April 27.

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Filing a Product Liability Lawsuit in Texas

Originally published by » Blog.

The statute of limitations for filing a product liability lawsuit in Texas is two years from the date of injury. However, Texas also has a statute of repose, which establishes an overall time limit for product liability cases — in Texas, that time limit is no later than 15 years after the date on which the company being sued sold the product…

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U.S. Supreme Court Says Due Process Requires Refund of Monetary Penalties for Invalidated Convictions

Originally published by John Floyd.

Fines and restitution may be imposed following a criminal conviction in conjunction with the sentence imposed.

 

Fines are commonly imposed in all criminal cases. The amount that may be imposed is generally determined by statute or at the discretion of the court. Fines are paid to a governmental entity.

 

Restitution, on the other hand, is paid to the victim of a crime for whatever losses, either physical or monetary, that they suffered as a result of the crime against them.

 

Fines and restitution are more often referred to as “monetary penalties.”

 

Refund of Monetary Penalties After Reversal of Conviction

 

Most states and the federal government have historically refunded monetary penalties to criminal defendants who have their convictions reversed on direct appeal or through post-conviction proceedings. That rule made sense. No one should reasonably expect a defendant to pay a fine or restitution for an invalid conviction.

 

In 2013, the State of Colorado opted out of this historical practice when its lawmakers enacted “Compensation For Certain Exonerated Persons” legislation. As we pointed out in an April 14, 2017 post, the purpose of this legislation is to provide compensation in a narrow range of cases in which a convicted individual establishes actual innocence of the crime for which he or she was convicted.

 

Colorado Requires Acquitted Individuals to Prove Actual Innocence

 

With this legislation, Colorado joined the federal government and 27 states that have laws on the books providing for compensation to wrongfully convicted persons.

 

Colorado lawmakers, however, wanted to make sure that only “actually innocent” individuals could be compensated. Individuals acquitted following a jury trial or who had their convictions reversed on appeal because of a procedural or constitutional error are not eligible for compensation under the exoneration act.

 

The legislation creates a difficult process for recovery of compensation by anyone wrongfully convicted in a Colorado court. If the innocent individual manages to overcome the hurdles weighing against compensation, he or she is then entitled to a graduated scale of compensation depending upon the nature of conviction.

 

With respect to any monetary penalties imposed with the sentence, the exoneration legislation provides that a wrongfully convicted individual is entitled to recover “the amount of any fine, penalty, court costs, or restitution imposed and paid by the exonerated person as a result of his or her conviction.”

 

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Case

 

The Supreme Court accepted a pair of cases this Term to address the issue of whether the exoneration legislation was intended to be independent from the traditional rule to refund money paid to a reversed judgment; that is, whether the legislation created new rights for exonerated individuals or whether lawmakers specifically intended for the legislation to abrogate the traditional refund rule.

 

Both the cases involve defendants in this case were convicted of sexual assault-related offenses: Louis Madden was convicted of attempt to patronize a child prostitute while Shannon Nelson was convicted of  sexual assault offenses against her children. Both defendants were assessed significant penalties, fees, and restitution orders associated with their convictions. Nelson’s conviction was reversed on direct appeal and she was acquitted following a retrial. Madden’s convictions were also reversed on direct appeal and in post-conviction proceedings. The State elected not to retry him.

 

Both defendants sought a refund of the monetary penalties paid as a result of their wrongful convictions. The Colorado Supreme Court, however, rebuffed those refund efforts, finding that neither the exoneration act nor due process of law allowed the defendants to secure a refund from the State absent a showing of actual innocence.

 

Due Process Require Refund After Reversal

 

The essential issue the Supreme Court was asked to decide was whether due process accommodates a recovery system that places the burden on the individual to prove their actual innocence by clear and convincing evidence in order to recover from a reversed judgment. This burden also entails a responsibility of the individual to hire his or her own attorney to pursue recovery which, more often than not, will cost more than the actual monetary damages paid pursuant to their conviction.

 

On April 19, 2017, the Supreme Court rendered its verdict. Justice Ginsburg  spoke to that verdict:

 

“When a criminal conviction is invalidated by a reviewing court and no retrial will occur, is the State obliged to refund fees, court costs, and restitution exacted from the defendant upon, and a consequence of, the conviction? Our answer is yes. Absent conviction of a crime, one is presumed innocent. Under Colorado law before us in these cases, however, the State retains conviction-related assessments unless and until the prevailing defendant institutes a discrete civil proceeding and provers her innocence by clear and convincing evidence. This scheme, we hold, offends the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of due process …

 

“Colorado’s scheme fails due process measurement because defendants’ interests in regaining their funds is high, the risk of erroneous deprivation of those funds under the Exoneration Act is

Unacceptable, and the State has shown no countervailing interests in retaining the amounts in question. To comport with due process, a State may not impose anything more than minimal procedures on the refund of exactions dependent upon a conviction subsequently invalidated.”

 

We cannot fathom how the Colorado Supreme Court arrived at the opposite conclusion. We can only be thankful that the Supreme Court reversed them.

 

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Preserving Maps: Maintaining the Secret While Disclosing Seismic Data

Originally published by Gary Sorden.

Seismic data is essential to the evaluation of oil and gas prospects. While some oil and gas deals still close without review of seismic data, […]

The post Preserving Maps: Maintaining the Secret While Disclosing Seismic Data appeared first on Klemchuk LLP.

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Your Professional Portrait Is Much More Than a Picture

Originally published by Amy Boardman Hunt.

Even though words are my specialty, I know that the best words in the world can be rendered meaningless if they aren’t presented in a visually compelling way. And the most impactful visual element of them all is a great photograph. When I started writing about attorneys in the 1980s, it was nearly impossible to […]

The post  Your Professional Portrait Is Much More Than a Picture appeared first on Muse Communications.

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Who Will Keep the Family Pet in my Texas Divorce?

Originally published by Austin TX Family Law Blog.

How do courts determine who will keep the family pet after a divorce in Texas?

Pets are an important part of the family for many households across Texas.  If you and your spouse have decided to divorce, one of your main concerns may be who will get to keep the family pet.  While many couples call their pet their “baby,” in the eyes of the law, pets are not given the same regard as children.  Instead, pets are lumped into the category of personal property and may be divided under the laws of community property in the state of Texas.  There are, however, several ways in which you can advocate for ownership of your pet post-divorce.

Separate Property

Under certain circumstances, you may be able to successfully argue that your pet is your separate property and thus should not be divided as community property.  Generally, you can prove this if:

  • You owned the pet prior to marriage; or
  • The pet was given to you as a gift during the marriage; or
  • Your pet was willed to you.

Absent evidence that the pet is your separate property, a court will consider the pet community property.  In Texas, community property is divided in accordance with what is just and right.  It will be up to the court to consider the unique circumstances surrounding your divorce to determine who should receive ownership of your family pet.  

Negotiations

Negotiating with your spouse is often one of the best ways to fight for ownership of the animal.  Applying the “best interests of the pet” standard, though not applicable in court, can be effective during negotiations with your spouse.  Your divorce attorney can help to mediate you and your spouse.  Consideration may be given to who is keeping the family home that the pet is accustomed to and who will have custody of the children, who are likely attached to the pet.  You may even wish to consider implementing a custody arrangement for your pet that allows both of you to spend time with your beloved pet after the divorce.  

 

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Bad Judgment on Social Media May Lead to Job Offer Withdrawals

Originally published by Androvett Legal Media Blog.

Plano attorney Jason Van Dyke was all set to begin a new chapter of his legal career as an assistant district attorney in Victoria County. So he was startled to receive notice that the District Attorney’s office had rescinded its job offer with no explanation. Mr. Van Dyke speculates the reversal could be related to media coverage of a Twitter exchange he had involving a case he was working on in 2014. He has since filed suit seeking answers from Victoria County, and Dallas labor and employment attorney Leiza Dolghih of Godwin Bowman & Martinez says this is a cautionary tale for both employers and job-seekers.

“Many employers these days Google prospective hires and look them up on social media for any evidence of red flags that indicate that the applicant may be violent, unethical, unstable or simply have bad judgment. These behind-the-scenes, informal background checks often result in rejection, or even withdrawal, of a job offer,” she says.

While a Texas employer may reject a prospective candidate for a myriad of reasons, including social media activity, a prospective employee cannot be rejected on the basis of race, gender, religion, age or other protective categories – information that can often be gleaned from social media. If a candidate can show that a job rejection was based on information protected under employment law, there could be basis for a claim of discrimination.

“However, in this case, if the employer discovered what they considered unsavory comments, or possible evidence of poor judgment or lack of self-control, after offering Mr. Van Dyke a job, the withdrawal of that offer based on the newly discovered information, would be acceptable,” says Ms. Dolghih. “While everyone has the right to speak their mind freely, that speech may result in rather harsh consequences in terms of employment.”

For more information or to set up an interview, contact Rhonda Reddick at 800-559-4534 or rhonda@androvett.com.

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Day 19 of One Month to Better 3rd Party Management-Risk Ranking in the Supply Chain

Originally published by tfoxlaw.

One of the areas many companies do not focus on enough is possible corruption in their Supply Chain (SC) for goods and services provided on a company’s behalf. The FCPA risks can be just as great through those entry points as it can be through the sales side of an organization. You need to know […]

The post Day 19 of One Month to Better 3rd Party Management-Risk Ranking in the Supply Chain appeared first on Compliance Report.

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Default Does Not Mean Devoid of Evidence: Opinions, April 27, 2017

Originally published by mkhtx.

This morning the Fourteenth Court of Appeals released its memorandum opinion in Lucio v. Lucio, No. 14-15-00951-CV which concerns the minimum amount of evidence necessary for a division of the marital estate in a default divorce (and which is a companion to a similar opinion from the First Court of Appeals in Colmenero v. Colmenero that I previously blogged about).

Virginia and Victor were married in 1982 and Virginia filed her original petition for divorce in July, 2015. Victor did not file a timely answer. At the hearing, the following testimony from Virginia constituted the entirety of the evidence regarding the assets and liabilities of the estate:

Q. Okay. You have set forth in the decree a proposed division of your property and debts?
A. Yes.
Q. And you believe that the division is fair and equitable?
A. Fair, yes.
Q. And just and right?
A. Yes.
Q. And you’re asking the Court to approve that division as part of your divorce, correct?
A. Correct

Virginia had filed but not admitted to evidence a proposed decree assigning community property and debts between the parties. But the proposed decree did not include any values for the community property or the community estate in its entirety, nor did it list any amounts for outstanding debts. “In short, the trial court received no evidence regarding the value of the community assets or liabilities.”

The trial court entered a final decree which divided the estate but did not make any findings as to the values of any assets or liabilities. Victor subsequently filed an answer, a motion for new trial, and then a notice of appeal.

On appeal, Victor argued the evidence was legally insufficient to support the division. The Court of Appeals agreed, noting that even in a default, the petitioner must still present evidence to support the material allegations in the petition and that the only evidence in the record in support of the division was Virginia’s testimony that the division proposed was fair, just, and right. The Court of Appeals reversed and remanded for further proceedings.

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“Airing the Family Laundry:” Can Arbitration Clauses Avoid Public Scrutiny in Probate and Estate Litigation?

Originally published by Kenny Sumner.

Arbitration Attorneys Serving the Sugarland, Texas Area

Particularly during the last several decades, arbitration has become a relatively popular dispute resolution mechanism. Particularly in commercial settings, arbitration often offers an efficient and even cost-effective means of moving forward and putting the dispute in the rear-view mirror. Arbitration also offers a level of privacy that the parties come to appreciate. Unlike a civil action in court, an arbitration proceeding is ordinarily closed to the public. In states like Texas, which allow arbitration of at least some sorts of probate and estate disputes, some high net-worth individuals are adding arbitration clauses to their trust documents. While arbitration isn’t for everyone, many estate and probate experts say such clauses should at least be considered.

Texas Supreme Court Stance on Arbitration Provisions in Trusts

Courts in many states have disfavored arbitration clauses in trust documents. The rationale is that in most cases, only the settlor – the person making the trust – has signed the agreement and that one should not be bound by an arbitration agreement unless one has actually agreed to the limitation of one’s rights. Yet the Supreme Court of Texas, in Rachel v. Reitz, 403 S.W. 3d 840 (Tex. 2013), held that such clauses can be valid. While the beneficiary typically doesn’t sign the trust instrument, the Supreme Court indicated that, depending upon the specific facts of the case, the beneficiary’s consent could be supplied by the “direct-benefits” rule.

Texas “Direct-Benefits” Rule

The Court indicated that, under a direct-benefits theory, a beneficiary’s acceptance of the benefits of the trust constituted the assent required to form an enforceable agreement to arbitrate. Since the settlor had intended for any dispute to be determined by arbitration, the Court indicated Texas law would strive to enforce the trust instrument according to the settlor’s intentions.

Arbitration May Offer Advantages

Probate and estate legal experts point to a number of potential benefits from arbitration clauses. They include:

  • The dispute can be heard by an arbitrator with a highly specialized background, which generally results in a high quality of review for the issues at hand.
  • As noted above, arbitration tends to be a private matter, saving the family from negative publicity.
  • Depending upon the circumstances, resolution of a dispute can be more expeditious with arbitration than in a civil action in the Texas court system.

Disadvantages of Arbitration

Some legal experts say that there is generally only limited review of an arbitration decision. In this regard, many courts are quite reluctant to overturn an arbitrator’s decision. Moreover, since the arbitrator is not necessarily bound by rules of evidence and procedure, he or she may not develop a record that can adequately be reviewed by a court. Some experts say arbitration gives each party just “one bite at the apple.”

Arbitration Might Not Apply to Will Contests

Legal experts point out that the direct-benefits rule applies only in those instances in which the beneficiary has actually accepted benefits. Where a party seeks not to accept benefits from a Will, but rather to contest it altogether, the Rachel decision might not force the party into arbitration, even if a strong arbitration clause is contained in the Will.

Choosing Arbitration Involves Complex Legal Issues

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Whether one should include an arbitration clause within a Trust or Will involves a combination of complex legal issues. Where a dispute has arisen regarding the administration of an estate or regarding the handling of a trust instrument, the trustee and beneficiaries need to weigh their options carefully.

The arbritration attorneys at Romano & Sumner have more than 20 years of combined experience providing expert legal assistance to clients concerning estate and trust disputes. We have successfully represented parties contesting Texas Wills and have provided skilled representation to beneficiaries and trustees in the handling of family Trust instruments. We have the extensive litigation experience to take your case as far as necessary. At Romano & Sumner, we pride ourselves not only upon our professionalism, but also upon our client service. Our arbitration lawyers know that each situation is unique. We keep our clients well informed as to the status of their case. We complete the work within the allotted time frame. We return phone calls within one business day. Call us at 281-242-0995 or complete our online contact form.

The post “Airing the Family Laundry:” Can Arbitration Clauses Avoid Public Scrutiny in Probate and Estate Litigation? appeared first on Romano & Sumner – Sugar Land, TX Attorneys.

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Presentation Tip: Work the Room Before the Room is Assembled

Originally published by Cordell Parvin.

What are you doing to make a presentation that will give you the best chance to be hired? Here’s one key: Give the audience something you know they will find valuable.

As you might imagine, over the years I have given many presentations at ABA, State Bar, City and County Bar meetings. My presentations have ranged from career development to client development to leadership.

If I have made a presentation for your group, you know I ask for young (and sometimes experienced) lawyers to let me know the 1-3 things they want to make sure I cover, or 1-3 questions they might have. I personally respond to each email I receive.

A few years ago a young lawyer attending a Bar meeting said:

He was working the room before the room was assembled! Not bad…

I hadn’t really thought of it that way, but he was correct.  I always approached my presentations to construction  associations the same way.

I frequently asked the construction association executive to let members know that I wanted to hear from them with questions or topics they wanted to make sure I answered or covered in the presentation. Then, I made sure and include the subjects or questions. I confess that I never received a question or topic that I was not planning on covering.

Why is working the room this way important and why should you do it for your presentations? It’s pretty simple: You will address what the audience is seeking to learn.

Out of curiosity, how are you preparing for your presentations? Are you getting feedback? Is someone looking at your slides and discussing the number of words you have placed on slides?

 

 

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Texas Woman Gets Walmart Premises Liability Lawsuit Filed in the Nick of Time

Originally published by Texas Personal Injury News.

A recent personal injury lawsuit involving mega-retailer Wal-Mart serves as an important reminder of the importance of the state statute of limitations. The lawsuit, which was filed just days before the two-year deadline for injury claims, sets out a series of factual allegations against the store which could possibly result in a lucrative resolution for the plaintiff. However, had the plaintiff missed the deadline – no matter how inadvertent – the law generally imposes a bar on recovery, provided certain “tolling” defenses are not available.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff was shopping in a Beaumont-area store in April 2015 when she suddenly toppled to the ground after stepping in water in the entryway. As a result of the fall, the plaintiff reportedly broke her hip and had to endure a great deal of pain during her recovery. While the store maintains it properly warned guests that water was present on the ground, the plaintiff asserts that these warnings were placed inside the store such that a shopper would not have seen them in time.

Under Texas law, an injured plaintiff has two years from the date of an alleged incident to file a claim for damages. If the injury occurs as a result of medical malpractice, the statute begins to run on the date the plaintiff discovered the mistake (or reasonably should have discovered the mistake).

As mentioned above, the concept of “tolling” works to “stop the clock” with regard to a statute of limitations in certain limited circumstances. For instance, if a plaintiff is mentally incompetent for a period of time following the injury, that period of time will not “count” towards the total time period. Likewise, in many cases, statute will not begin to run with regard to a minor plaintiff until the plaintiff reaches the age of majority.

If you recently experienced an injury, don’t delay – speak to a reputable personal injury attorney right away!

Contact Chandler Mathis & Zivley today!

To make an appointment to discuss your recent experience, please call us right away: 1-877-739-7744.

 

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Free legal clinic for veterans in Tomball

Originally published by Eric Quitugua.

On Saturday, May 6, volunteers from the Houston Bar Foundation’s Veterans Legal Initiative will be available to veterans in need of legal advice and assistance.

From 9 a.m. to noon, attorneys will be at the Tomball VA Outpatient Clinic, 1200 W. Main St., Tomball 77375, to advise veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in areas including family law, wills and probate, consumer law, and real estate and tax law as well disability and veterans benefits.

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Appointments are not necessary.

Veterans in need of representation and who qualify for legal aid may be assigned a pro bono attorney.

For more information, go to www.hba.org or contact the Veterans Legal Initiative at (713) 759-1133.

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Wednesday, April 26, 2017

What Constitutes “Reworking Operations” under an Oil and Gas Lease?

Originally published by John McFarland.

Last December, the Eastland Court of Appeals issued its opinion in Crystal River Oil & Gas, LLC v. Patton, No. 11-15-00217-CV. Crystal River owned and operated wells on an oil and gas lease in Stonewall County. The oil wells on the lease produced twenty barrels of salt water for every barrel of oil, and Crystal River operated a disposal well on the lease to handle the salt water. The disposal well broke down, and while Crystal River was repairing the well it shut in its oil wells for more than sixty days. Robert Patton noticed the gap in production and obtained an oil and gas lease covering the same lands, based on his claim that Crystal River’s lease had terminated. Patton sued Crystal River to establish his title.

The oil and gas lease provided that, if after the primary term production should cease, “this lease shall not terminate if Lessee commences additional drilling or reworking operations within sixty days thereafter …” and thereafter re-establishes production. The case was submitted to the jury, which was asked:

Did the Defendants fail to commence drilling or reworking activities on the producing wells in question within 60 days after the wells ceased to produce oil and gas?

Continue reading →

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Fifth Circuit Vacates Attorney Fee Award

Originally published by Thomas J. Crane.

In a recent decision, the Fifth Circuit reversed the award of attorney fees to a prevailing plaintiff. In Cervantes v. Cotter, the lower court severely reduced the plaintiff’s fee request by some 75% because the plaintiff’s success was, in the view of the trial court, small. The plaintiffs, noted the trial court, were only warded $409 in lost overtime payments. The district court rejected the plaintiffs’ claim for liquidated damages and their claim for retaliation. So, their recovery was just the $409. Yet, the plaintiffs’ attorneys sought $14,000 in attorney fees. The trial court considered that to be an “extraordinary” amount in light of the relief obtained.

But, the purpose of the attorney fee provision in the Fair Labor Standard Act is to to encourage attorneys to accept these small cases. No attorney would accept a case in which the hard, economic damages was a mere $409. And, as the Fifth Circuit noted on appeal, there are twelve factors in assessing attorney’s fees, not just the one factor involving success at trial. See the Fifth Circuit decision here.

The lower court’s decision is not well thought out. The Magistrate discussed the settlement offers and lack of counter-offers by the parties. The Magistrate then concluded that the plaintiff lawyers were “greedy” and the defense attorney was “penny-pinching.” It is an extraordinary decision. The district court ignored eleven of the twelve factors in Johnson v. Georgia Highway Express, Inc., 488 F.2d 714, 717-19 (5th Cir. 1974). Johnson requires lower courts to look at twelve factors, including the success of the plaintiff, when it assesses a request for attorney’s fees.

The lower court in Cervantes looked just at one factor, the success of the plaintiffs. Then, it went beyond that and looked at the relative settlement success of the two parties. It mentioned one offer of $17,000 in attorney fees and a second offer of $22,000 in attorney fees. It noted the response by the employer of $210 in overtime pay and $1,000 in attorney fees. It almost seemed like the judge was annoyed at having to hear a small case when the parties could have easily settled the matter. I find that unfortunate. These “small” cases are quite large to those involved. The Fair Labor Standards Act is a federal law. If federal courts will not enforce federal laws, who will? In truth, these apparently small cases are not small, at all. These relatively small cases reflect a wider problem with many employers underpaying their employees and generally getting away with it. The Department of Labor can enforce the FLSA, but it rarely does. It is left to these “small” lawsuits to stand up for the little guy whose pay is being stolen by employers. If there is one plaintiff filing a case for a lost overtime of $210, then there are ten others who also suffered similar losses, but chose not to file suit. There was a time when I was working my way through college and law school. In those days, $210 was a very large amount to me indeed.

In effect, the trial court imposed some new requirement that appears to involve second-guessing settlement strategy. I think it was this that caught the eye of the Fifth Circuit. It vacated the trial court’s ruling in a per curiam, unpublished decision. “Per curiam” decisions are those which the court views as simple, routine, not needing extensive explanation. The higher court is saying this should be a simple issue. Courts cannot truly second-guess settlement strategy. There are just too many unknowns.

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Dawson v. NCAA and Pac-12 Conference: Motion to Dismiss Granted

Originally published by Christian Dennie.

Lamar Dawson (“Dawson”), a former University of Southern California football student-athlete, filed suit against the NCAA and Pac-12 Conference (collectively “Defendants”). In the suit, Dawson sought unpaid wages, including unpaid overtime compensation and interest thereon, required minimum wage payments, waiting time penalties, liquidated damages and other penalties, injunctive and other equitable relief and reasonable attorneys’ fees pursuant to claims for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, California Labor Code, California Code of Regulations, and California Business and Professions Code. The Defendants moved to dismiss Dawson’s complaint and Judge Richard Seeborg of the United States District Court, Northern District of California granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss and determined that the legal theories sought by Dawson were untenable, thus amendment would be futile. 

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FDCPA Ban on Deceptive Collections Practices Extends to Conduct by Lawyers in Court

Originally published by Texas Lawyer.

The Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”), which bans deceptive and abusive debt collection practices, is often viewed as a regulation targeting only debt collection agencies. However, a recent ruling in the Eleventh Circuit clarifies that an attorney’s conduct in court may also violate the Act.
      

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Eating Disorders: A Secret In The Legal Profession

Originally published by myadmin.

I remember the day in April 2007 I finally confided to my psychiatrist that I was struggling with drugs and alcohol. I did not mention at that time that I had also struggled with both exercise and traditional bulimia for over two decades

I felt completely stigmatized and alone in my eating disorder and did not feel that anyone, including him could understand or help. Adding to the stigma was my profession. Not only was I a male with an eating disorder, I was a male lawyer with an eating disorder. How stigmatizing was that? I have spoken openly about my eating disorder recovery for years and to this day, I am unaware of any other male in the legal profession who has publicly professed to dealing with an eating disorder. The hard statistics of how many males are afflicted with eating disorders tell us that they are of course out there.  Along those same lines, I have received numerous emails from females in the legal profession who are struggling or are in recovery from both anorexia and bulimia.

Why do males struggling with eating disorders in in the legal profession seem to be so few and far between?  We can look to a recent study of mental health issues in law school published by the Journal of Legal Education, which found 27% of law students (18% of male respondents and 34% of female respondents) screened positive for eating disorders.  Yet only 3% of respondents had actually been diagnosed.  While I do not have the breakdown, I suspect that the majority of that three percent diagnosed is female.

I believe one reason for this reluctance to seek treatment compounded on top of the strong societal stigma is the culture of the legal profession. The fear of showing weakness and vulnerability.  The fear of showing “weakness” is so ingrained into our thought process as lawyers and even starting as law students that as a profession, we are often unable to distinguish between how feelings need to be channeled to do our best to excel in the profession versus what we need to do to help ourselves when we are struggling with mental health issues. We have difficulty stepping back and embracing the vulnerability of telling people when we are struggling as being a virtue.

Here is the catch. This type of vulnerability is something that is absolutely necessary in mental health recovery. Particularly eating disorder recovery.  It may involve opening up the well of emotions that may date back over a lifetime that are holding you back from getting better. Not a pleasant thought, is it? Very counter-intuitive to the projection of knowledge, competency, and strength in the profession

I can tell you that while I struggled with my eating disorder, and then moved into recovery, that recovery did not begin in earnest until I allowed myself to be vulnerable in a setting that I felt safe to do so. And it took time to feel safe. I finally got honest with my psychiatrist and those close to me. I then began to move forward in a positive way. I had been lying by omission for years, simply getting my anti-depressant meds and not opening up about all the unresolved pain, layer upon layer going back to childhood. The mentally abusive relationship with my mother. The severe bullying as a teenager. (I do not blame either as causes of my eating disorder. As we know, there is a difference between cause and correlation.) The feelings of inadequacy and lack of self-worth also played a role. While there is no other history of eating disorders in my family, the role of genetics cannot be dismissed as well.

I see this issue regularly when I speak to lawyers and law students who are struggling. People who would rather pull their toenails out with their teeth than talk about such things. Talk about the pain of a little boy or girl, failed relationships, trouble at home. Possible environmental triggers that have been long buried in the subconscious.

It’s easier to simply say, “I’m over that,” and move on. To emotionally isolate from the world. To compartmentalize the pain. But they often have not moved on and those feelings are always just under the surface, waiting to trigger destructive behaviors or playing a role in not dealing with the ones already present. The stress of billing. Stress of trial. Stress of grades. Problems at home. Childhood trauma. The list of possible triggers is endless.  I totally get that. Binging and purging was a huge stress release for me during both law school and as practicing lawyer. The same was true of my obsessive-compulsive exercise. Probably my biggest trigger issue present day.

I am here to tell you that allowing myself to be vulnerable and let those feelings out was a key in my long-term eating disorder recovery which now stands at just over ten years.  Those feelings that dated back to childhood no longer control me.  I even write letters to my teenage self.  I talk to my “inner child.” Doesn’t sound very “manly” or “lawyer-like,” does it?  It does not mean telling everyone your childhood secrets. It means realizing that being vulnerable and facing such feelings is both beneficial and necessary in moving forward in recovery. Find a safe setting. Give it a try.

 

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Claims Handling Requirements by State – Texas

Originally published by Robert Trautmann.

I recently received a request to write about the claims handling guidelines in Texas. In the great state of Texas, the handling of insurance claims are governed by both the Administrative Code and Insurance Code. Generally, and insurance carrier may not engage in any unfair settlement practices.1 An insurance carrier in Texas must acknowledge a … Continue Reading

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For Oil & Gas M&A, It’s a Buyers’ Market

Originally published by Energy Legal Blog ®.

For the majority of global oil and gas companies, 2016 was a tough year.  Buffeted by depressed crude oil and natural gas prices, corporate profits were squeezed, sparking widespread restructurings, layoffs and in certain cases bankruptcies.

Energy
Paul Jones
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EPA Postpones Compliance Dates for More Stringent Requirements for Discharges from Coal Fired Power Plants

Originally published by Energy Legal Blog ®.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken two recent actions that have resulted in postponement of the compliance dates for more stringent requirements in the effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the steam electric power generating point source category originally published on November 3, 2015 (2015 Rule). This will allow EPA at least until August 12, 2017, to determine whether it will seek remand of any portions of the 2015 Rule.

Environmental Strategies
Sara Burgin
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Tuesday, April 25, 2017

State Bar of Texas announces 2017 winners of Law Day contests

Originally published by Jillian Beck.

law_day_2017_webThe State Bar announced the winners of the annual Law Day essay, photography, and poster contests this month.

Each year, Law Day is celebrated nationally on May 1 to honor the rule of law and underscore how law and the legal process contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share. It provides an opportunity to recognize the role of courts in this democracy and the importance of jury service to maintaining the integrity of the courts.

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Adidas Loses Iconic Three-Stripe Trademark Registration in the EU

Originally published by Peggy Keene.

Despite enjoying a long tenure of registration on both the U.S. Federal Register and the European Union Register, Adidas recently suffered a devastating blow when […]

The post Adidas Loses Iconic Three-Stripe Trademark Registration in the EU appeared first on Klemchuk LLP.

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Opinions: Post-Judgment Temporary Orders Pending Appeal

Originally published by mkhtx.

The First District Court of Appeals released its memorandum opinion in In re Christensen, No. 01-16-00893-CV, this morning concerning post-judgment temporary orders pending appeal under TFC 6.709.

Christina and Troy divorced. After a two-day bench trial, the trial court signed a final decree which awarded Christina stocks and funds in various accounts and ordered Troy to pay a portion of Christina’s attorney’s fees (in the amount of $20,000).

After Troy timely filed his notice of appeal, Christina moved for post-judgment temporary orders pending appeal under TFC 6.709. She requested the trial court, inter alia:  order Troy to 1) pay reasonable appellate attorney’s fees into the registry of the court to be payable to Christina upon Troy’s pursuit of an unsuccessful appeal or, in the alternative, grant a judgment against Troy for reasonable appellate attorney’s fees conditioned upon his pursuit of an unsuccessful appeal; 2) post a bond to secure his compliance with the terms of the decree; and 3) pay her temporary spousal support pending appeal.

Troy argued the motion was merely an attempt to penalize him for appealing, section 6.709 did not authorize prepayment of appellate attorney’s fees into the registry of the court or posting a bond, and payment of temporary spousal support was not justified.

The trial court granted Christina’s motion, awarding her $50,000 total ($30,000 for the district court of appeals and $20,000 for the Texas Supreme Court) if Troy unsuccessfully appealed and required him to pay these amounts into the court registry. The trial court also ordered Troy to post a bond of $275,000 (or its cash equivalent) to protect Christina against potential loss of property or property rights during the course of the appeal.

Troy filed a petition for writ of mandamus, alleging five issues. which the Court of Appeals addressed out of sequence.

The Court of Appeals sustained Troy’s second and third issue concerning prepayment of appellate fees into the registry of the court. Citing Halleman v. Halleman, No. 02-11-00238-CV, 2011 WL 5247882 (Tex.App.–Fort Worth, Nov. 3, 2011, orig. proceeding), the Court of Appeals found that section 6.709 does not authorize and the trial court abused its discretion in ordering Troy to prepay the attorney’s fees into the registry of the court because the appellate attorney’s fees will not be payable to Christina “if at all” until the appellate proceedings are final.

In his fourth issue, Troy argued the trial court abused its discretion by ordering him to post a bond in the amount of $275,000 (which included the $50,000 of appellate attorney’s fees). Christina had asserted in her motion for temporary orders that the bond should be sufficient to cover the value of the property as determined by the trial court at rendition plus interest. She also asked the trial court to require Troy to provide statements for the accounts and enjoin him from taking certain actions regarding the accounts until the appeal was final.

At the hearing on Christina’s motion, the parties testified regarding the accounts awarded in the divorce. Troy testified he had control over the accounts, Christina did not; Christina testified that Troy had not accounted for over $200,000 of assets awarded to her and that Troy had traded or sold about $300,000 in stocks, half of which were awarded to her. The opinion does not indicate Troy disputed Christina’s testimony on this point, but he did testify that “issues existed regarding the documents needed to transfer these accounts to Christina.” The Court of Appeals found that Troy presented no authority that the trial court lacked authority to order the bond and the trial court did not abuse its discretion in ordering it.

In his fifth issue, Troy contested the temporary monthly spousal support award of $3,500 until the appeal is final because, according to him, he does not have the financial ability to pay it, the calculation of the amount was flawed, and the support obligation “was part of the property division improperly disguised as spousal support.” He testified he had to borrow $25,000 from family to keep afloat, he could not afford either the $20,000 for Christina’s attorney’s fees ordered in the decree, nor the $250,000 bond or monthly spousal support. He also testified that he earned $214,000/year and had received a $24,000 bonus this year. His FIS indicated his net monthly income of $10,630 and monthly expenses of $13,638. Christina also testified that her means were significantly less than Troy’s. The Court of Appeals found no abuse of discretion in the award of temporary monthly support and overruled Troy’s fifth issue.

Finally, taking the first last, the Court of Appeals overruled Troy’s first issue in which he argued the temporary orders were not intended to protect Christina and her property, but to “unjustly penalize [him] for asserting his rights” to appeal. The Court of Appeals found the temporary orders do not prevent him from pursuing his appeal.

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Intervention, appeal, and other such matters

Originally published by David Coale.

webSmith intervened in a case after a judgment had been entered; the trial court granted a motion to strike his intervention. Resolving a tangled web of procedural issues, the Fifth Court held that (1) the striking of his intervention was not appealable before final judgment; (2) Smith’s appeal was limited to the merits of his intervention, not the claims of others; and (3) Smith’s filing of a motion for new trial extended the appellate deadlines. Smith v. City of Garland, No. 05-16-00454-CV (Apr. 20, 2017).

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Bill to Raise the Age of Criminal Responsibility to 18 is Passed by Texas House

Originally published by [email protected].

Texas is one of just seven states nationally that treats 17-year-old offenders as adults in the criminal justice system. That may be about to change if a bill to raise the age of criminal responsibility becomes law.

A bill to raise the age from 17 to 18 was passed in the House last week, reported the Texas Tribune.

Attempts to move 17-year-olds to the juvenile justice system have been staged over the last few years in the legislature.  House Bill 122, known as the “Raise the Age” bill, would switch 17-year-old offenders from the adult justice system to the juvenile justice system from 2021.

Texas has treated 17-year-olds as adults since 1918. However, there are some drawbacks inherent in punishing teens as adults because they miss out on the rehabilitative programs in the juvenile justice system.

Advocates for change say the rehabilitation needs of 17-year-olds are similar to those of younger teens in the Texas juvenile justice system. They say recidivism rates would fall and teens would be protected from exploitation by older prisoners if the bill becomes law.

The transfer of thousands of 17-year-old offenders to the juvenile system would also put Texas in appliance with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act. The legislation prohibits 17-year-old inmates from being within sight and sound of adult prisoners. Compliance would require the investment of millions of dollars into jails in Texas if 17-year-olds remain incarcerated with adults.

In some cases, teens younger than 17 are dealt with in adult courts. Although these offenders have usually committed serious crimes, evidence recently emerged that courts might be rubber stamping juvenile certifications to adult courts.

 

Defendants Jailed as Teens Raise Legal Challenges to Sentencing in Adult Courts

We recently noted how the recent case of Cameron Moon v. State of Texas has opened the door to legal challenges from defendants who were treated as adults when they committed crimes as teens.

The Court of Criminal Appeals ruled an individualized assessment of a teen defendant was not made before Cameron Moon was tried in the adult courts. He was indicted for a murder at the age of 16. He was transferred to the adult courts as matter of procedure.

His defense lawyers successfully argued Moon could have benefited from the rehabilitation programs inherent in the juvenile justice system. The Court of Criminal Appeals found the trial court failed to consider these factors.

Teen defendants are particularly vulnerable in Texas’ tough criminal justice system. If you are facing a serious criminal charge as a teen, you should hire experienced Dallas criminal defense counsel as soon as possible.

The post Bill to Raise the Age of Criminal Responsibility to 18 is Passed by Texas House appeared first on Dallas Criminal Defense Attorneys |State & Federal Lawyers.

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California Supreme Court Invalidates Citibank Arbitration Provision Requiring Waiver of Right to Seek Public Injunctive Relief

Originally published by Beth Graham.


The Supreme Court of California has ruled a predispute arbitration provision that requires a consumer to waive the right to seek public injunctive relief is unenforceable.  In McGill v. Citibank, N.A., No. S224086 (Cal., April 6, 2017), a California woman, McGill, opened a credit card issued by Citibank in 2001.  At the time she opened the credit card account, McGill also agreed to purchase the bank’s credit protector plan designed to waive her credit card balance in the event of her unemployment, serious illness, or injury.

Although McGill’s initial credit card account agreement did not contain an arbitration provision, Citibank made a change in terms in October 2001.  The new terms provided for mandatory arbitration of all claims or disputes associated with the account and prohibited consumers from engaging in collective action.  Because McGill did not elect to utilize an opt-out provision that was included in Citibank’s new terms, the arbitration agreement became effective in November 2001.  In 2005, Citibank once again changed its terms and McGill did not opt out of the new agreement.

In 2008, McGill unfortunately became unemployed.  As a result, she filed a claim for benefits under the credit protector plan.  Unsatisfied with the results of her claim, McGill filed a putative class-action lawsuit against Citibank in California.  In her complaint, McGill accused the credit card issuer of violating numerous state laws and engaging in deceptive advertising practices.

In response to McGill’s lawsuit, Citibank filed a motion to compel the dispute to arbitration based on the terms and conditions included in the updated credit card agreement.  A trial court granted the bank’s motion and ordered McGill to individually arbitrate most of her claims against Citibank.  According to the trial court, however, McGill’s request for public injunctive relief was not subject to arbitration pursuant to the Broughton-Cruz rule.  Under this rule:  “Agreements to arbitrate claims for public injunctive relief under the CLRA, the UCL, or the false advertising law are not enforceable in California.” Later, the Court of Appeal reversed and remanded the case for arbitration of all of McGill’s claims based on the United States Supreme Court’s 2011 decision in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion.

On appeal before the California Supreme Court, McGill asserted “(1) the Court of Appeal erred in finding FAA preemption of the Broughton-Cruz rule, and (2) the arbitration provision is invalid and unenforceable because it waives her right to seek public injunctive relief in any forum.”  Because California’s highest court agreed with McGill’s second argument, the court did not address whether the FAA preempted California’s Broughton-Cruz rule.

After reviewing the facts of the case, the Supreme Court of California held:

Having determined that public injunctive relief remains a remedy available to private plaintiffs under the UCL and the false advertising law, as well as under the CLRA, we next conclude that the arbitration provision here at issue is invalid and unenforceable under state law insofar as it purports to waive McGill’s statutory right to seek such relief. Civil Code section 3513 provides: “Anyone may waive the advantage of a law intended solely for his benefit. But a law established for a public reason cannot be contravened by a private agreement.” Consistent with this provision, we have explained that “a party may waive a statutory provision if a statute does not prohibit doing so [citation], the statute’s ‘public benefit …is merely incidental to [its] primary purpose’ [citation], and ‘waiver does not seriously compromise any public purpose that [the statute was] intended to serve’ [citation].” (DeBerard Properties, Ltd. v. Lim (1999) 20 Cal.4th 659, 668-669.) By definition, the public injunctive relief available under the UCL, the CLRA, and the false advertising law, as discussed in Broughton and Cruz, is primarily “for the benefit of the general public.” (Broughton, supra, 21 Cal.4th at p. 1082; see Cruz, supra, 30 Cal.4th at p. 315.) Its “evident purpose,” the court said in Broughton, is “to remedy a public wrong,” “not to resolve a private dispute” (Broughton, at p. 1080), and any benefit to the plaintiff requesting such relief “likely… would be incidental to the general public benefit of enjoining such a practice.” (Id. at p.1080, fn. 5.) Accordingly, the waiver in a predispute arbitration agreement of the right to seek public injunctive relief under these statutes would seriously compromise the public purposes the statutes were intended to serve. Thus, insofar as the arbitration provision here purports to waive McGill’s right to request in any forum such public injunctive relief, it is invalid and unenforceable under California law.

The court went on to distinguish AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion from McGill’s case before ultimately remanding the dispute back to the trial court for a determination regarding whether the remainder of the arbitration provision at issue was also unenforceable under the terms of the credit card agreement.

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Second Circuit Declines to Reconsider Estate’s Title VII Claim

Originally published by Gerry W. Beyer.

The Second Circuit declined to reconsider a Title VII claim from the estate of a deceased skydiver, Donald Zarda, against his former employer. Zarda originally filed the suit claiming that his employment was terminated because of his sexual orientation. The…

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Taxable Costs Are Capped by Insurance Policy’s Limit

Originally published by Christina Phillips.

Minn. Stat. § 604.18 authorizes the award of “taxable costs” when an insurer denies benefits without a reasonable basis. Earlier this month, the Minnesota Supreme Court was presented with the question of whether the award of “taxable costs” was capped by the insurance policy limit. In Wilbur v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company,1 a … Continue Reading

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Monday, April 24, 2017

Avoiding the Litigation Super Highway

Originally published by Rob Radcliff.

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We know that most cases are resolved before they ever see a jury or judge at trial.  Some go the way of summary judgment. Other go the way of settlement.  After attorneys’ fees and case related fatigue parties eventually get to a position where continued litigation no longer makes sense. Most companies and others know this, but sometimes the pain of litigation is necessary to get one or both of the parties to a dispute to a point where the case can be resolved.

So how do we avoid the litigation super highway?  A few thoughts:

  1. It can happen, but a plaintiff/defendant usually doesn’t get everything they want as part of a case. Never “fall in love” with the strength of your case. It’s difficult, but you must maintain some objectivity, which hopefully your counsel will provide.
  1. A settlement usually means you’re giving up something and so is the other side. Parties don’t walk away from a settlement getting everything they wanted.
  1. In cases where you are paying a lawyer on an hourly basis, there is an economic disincentive for the lawyer to settle the case. Ethically, this shouldn’t be an issue as the lawyer owes a fiduciary duty to put the interest of the client above their own, but it is something to keep in perspective.
  1. No matter what your lawyer tells you, the litigation cost will be more than anticipated.
  1. There is a cost to litigation beyond attorneys’ fees. Those involved in the dispute are pulled away from their day to day tasks and distracted.  Litigation, which may involve depositions, can be extremely stressful and unless you’re a masochist is an unpleasant experience.

These are just a few things to consider as you venture into a lawsuit or arbitration.  Many times there is no choice, but if the opportunity presents itself to exit the litigation process on acceptable terms, it has to be considered.  Force your lawyer to give you an up front candid evaluation of the case and an estimate of costs.  The party on the other side is usually considering the same issues and an early mediation or settlement discussions might be appropriate.  At a certain point the litigation takes on a life of itself, avoid that situation.

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Being A Feeler In A Profession Of Thinkers

Originally published by myadmin.

depressed lawyerLawyers and law students, at least anecdotally, often seem to be driven, Type-A personalities who might in some ways be at higher risk for addictive behaviors. Perhaps the ways we fit the lawyer “type” has something to do with propensity for mental health issues and addiction. Or maybe sometimes it’s the way we don’t fit in that matters. I certainly felt more stress through the years from the ways I wasn’t a typical lawyer than the ways that I was.  While I never felt particularly stressed from the desire to excel either in law school or as a lawyer, I was stressed because I was miserable for other reasons. I’d chosen an occupation for all the wrong reasons that had no relation to who I was as a person.

Read the rest on my weekly column at Above The Law

Being A Feeler In A Profession Of Thinkers

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Errant Email Steers Uber into Trade Secret Trouble

Originally published by Joseph Y. Ahmad.

It’s too early to know the degree of vetting that occurred before Uber handed Anthony Levandowski nearly $700 million for his fledgling autonomous truck company named Otto and brought him aboard to lead Uber’s self-driving vehicle division. A high-profile trade … Continue reading →

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Know the Basis for Product Liability Claims

Originally published by robertslawfirm.

Product liability issues have made major headlines in the past year: vehicle recalls due to faulty air bags, exploding smartphones, metal hip implant recalls, and personal injury lawsuits nationwide for talcum powder links to ovarian cancer as well as serious side effects of prescription drugs like Invokana, Essure, Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa and many more. Product liability laws exist to protect consumers, and require manufacturers to pay for injuries caused by a defective or hazardous product. A product liability lawsuit can be based on: Negligence – if a manufacturer does not exercise reasonable care in the design, manufacture or distribution of a product, they could be held liable. Breach of Warranty – when product warranties are breached, an injured party may be able to recover damages that occurred as a result of the breach. Strict Products Liability – with a strict liability claim, you must prove that the product was defective, that the defect existed before the product was released, and that this defect caused you harm or injury. Cases that fall in this category are usually due to design defects, manufacturing defects or “failure to warn” defects (which is why there are now websites dedicated to “silly” warning labels, like “Do not hold wrong end of a chainsaw” and, for a hairdryer: “Do not use while sleeping”). When a product causes injury or harm, there is usually potential for a defective product liability claim. Roberts & Roberts focuses on helping people who have been the victim of faulty products. Contact us to […]

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How to Fire Employees Without Being Sued

Originally published by Leiza Dolghih.

notice_of_lawsuitLitigation can be expensive, disruptive to business and bad for employee morale.  The good news is that there are certain things that an employer can do before, during, and after the termination of an employee that can minimize the chances of a lawsuit arising out of the termination. In the spirit of an old proverb that advises that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” this article provides a list of best practices that can help avoid wrongful-termination types of lawsuits and the business interruption that comes with such litigation.

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How Hollywood Got Auto Accidents All Wrong

Originally published by Kristopher Rodriguez.

Action movies are indeed a treat to watch with their captivating scenes and insane effects. Enthusiasts and movie freaks tend to enjoy these graphic scenes as they get the adrenaline rushing and get the viewers on the edge of their seats. However, if you have ever been in a car accident personally, you must have witnessed the harsh reality. All the mesmerizing scenes on screen aren’t close to the experience of an actual car accident. Police cars hardly chase down in the huge streets and end up crashing over the cliff at the end. We have listed down some aspects that differentiate between a real accident and a simulated one in a movie.

Accident Shock

In a typical movie scene, two cars have a head-on collision with each other. But quite surprisingly, apart from a few scratches both the drivers are completely fine. In fact, they get out of their cars to face-off each other in a yelling marathon which may lead to a fist fight. In reality, the situation is drastically opposite as a person that has been in a recent car accident would confess.
Once you are in a serious crash, you’re more likely to stay still and stunned for a brief period. In such scenarios, your brain malfunctions and you forget about important details including noting down the number plate, insurance information or contact information of the other person. It’s a small trauma that requires a few minutes for you to recover from completely.

Huge Flames

A dramatic scene isn’t complete without the automobile catching fire in a car accident in the movies. Directors tend to do this to showcase the intensity of the scene. However, in reality, cars rarely sprung up huge flames on any impacts. The fuel pod is designed to be safe in emergency situations to avoid any huge mishap. Imagine if it wasn’t designed in this way, how much damage could be caused just by lighting up a cigarette in the car.

Brakes

In movies, every car has superior maneuvering capabilities with an exceptional braking system. However, in reality, the situation is quite opposite as brakes quality vary from car to car and can play a major factor in auto accidents.

Bumps on the Road

Hollywood movies have cars that are unimaginably aerodynamic and with a single bump on the road, they’ll fly straight into the air and would land onto the earth with showers of spark. Astonishingly the car maintains its speed without causing much harm to the passengers. In reality, the situation is quite opposite as a single bump is easily absorbed by the car shocks and wouldn’t cause much harm.

Air Bags

In Hollywood, airbags tend to open in slow motion during the car accident but they tend to open a bit late after the accident. It gives a few laughs to the audience however if this delayed response was observed in real life, many big auto companies would have been sued by now for negligence.
Hollywood is indeed a great place to witness drama and action. However, relating it to reality can be quite difficult at moments.

The post How Hollywood Got Auto Accidents All Wrong appeared first on Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C.

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Will Second-To-Toe Policies Become First-To-Die With Estate Tax Repeal?

Originally published by Michael Cohen.

Although it is unknown what suggested changes will be made to tax laws in light of the recent failure to overhaul the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), President WILL SECOND-TO-DIE POLICIES BECOME FIRST-TO-DIE WITH ESTATE TAX REPEAL?Trump has often asserted that federal estate tax should be eliminated. At the present time, only estates greater than $5,490,000 (if you are single) and double that amount ($10,980,000) if you are married are subject to federal estate tax. As a result, Americans with estates that are subject to federal estate taxes often purchase second-to-die life insurance policies (since it is less expensive) to pay for the estate tax after the second of the couple dies (normally there is unlimited marital deduction after the first spouse dies).

However, if the estate tax is abolished, the use of second-to-die life insurance policies will be significantly reduced.

It is possible estate taxes could get replaced with a new capital gains tax law. If that happens the second-to-die policy could be used to pay for that capital gains tax or for income taxes. However, even if the federal estate tax is repealed, it could eventually be reinstated. So, although second-to-die life insurance policies could be on life support if federal estate tax laws are repealed, one should consider all options before letting a policy lapse.

For more information and tips on taxes click here to listen to Michael Cohens latest podcast.

The post WILL SECOND-TO-DIE POLICIES BECOME FIRST-TO-DIE WITH ESTATE TAX REPEAL? appeared first on Dallas Elder Lawyer.

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Friday, April 21, 2017

Top 10 from Texas Bar Today: Data, Catchphrases, and Nursery Rhymes

Originally published by Joanna Herzik.

TexasBarTodayTopTenBadgeJune2016To highlight some of the posts that stand out from the crowd, the editors of Texas Bar Today have created a list from the week’s blog posts of the top ten based on subject matter, writing style, headline, and imagery. We hope you enjoy this installment.

10. Why This Big Texas City Just Approved Red Light Cameras . . .Bill Berenson @LawyerFortWorth of Berenson Law in Fort Worth

9. Treasure Maps: Seismic Data in the Oil Patch and How to Protect ItGary Sorden of Klemchuk LLP @K_LLP in Dallas

8. Silicon Valley Wage Gap Lawsuits to Visit the Petro Metro?Bush Law Firm in The Woodlands

7. Fifth Circuit Reverses Summary JudgmentThomas J. Crane of Law Office of Thomas J. Crane @tomjcrane in San Antonio

6. Texas Court Finds No Expectation of Privacy in Cell Phone Records, Location DataJohn T. Floyd of John T. Floyd Law Firm @HoustonDefender in Houston

5. Houston, we’ve had a problem – Compliance Leadership from the Bottom –  Thomas Fox of TomFoxLaw @tfoxlaw in Houston

4. I Know You Were Hurt at Work, But That Was Not Your Job! – Kristopher Rodriguez of Herrman & Herrman @herrmanlawfirm in Corpus Christi

3. Texas Taco Company Sues Over Alleged Infringement of its CatchphraseThe Kumar Law Firm PLLC in Austin

2. This Jury Did Their City, and the Justice System, ProudKacy Miller @CourtroomLogic of CourtroomLogic Consulting, LLC in Dallas

1. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe – Professor Amy Jarmon, Assistant Dean for Academic Success Programs at Texas Tech University School of Law @TTU_Law in Lubbock

Curated by Texas Bar Today. Follow us on Twitter @texasbartoday.



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