AUSTIN – As a response to the devastation that Hurricane Harvey has caused Houston, Texas law organizations are coming together to offer the survivors free legal services.
I have written about the problem of the Voss Law Firm before in Policyholders Should Carefully Pick Their Lawyers — Voss Law Firm Loses Hundreds of Hurricane Lawsuits, and Is the Use of Runners and Cappers in Texas Going to Result in Prosecution of Lawyers and Public Adjusters. The problem with Voss is that they are a providing bad publicity for policyholders and honest policyholder attorneys fighting a very well-funded litigation and lobbying adversary: The insurance industry. A federal court judge found that the Voss Law Firm engaged in intentional litigation misconduct, fraud, and had shown a pattern and practice of deficient representation.
DEL RIO – From producing fraudulent documents to “hijacking the litigation process for its own benefit,” a federal judge has found the Voss Law Firm “engaged in intentional litigation misconduct” by bringing a hail lawsuit on behalf of clients that never actually signed a contingency fee agreement.
Two Austin attorneys from the Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard law firm have been recognized among the best in their perspective areas of practice for 2018.
BEAUMONT – Best Lawyers in America has recognized 14 trial lawyers from Beaumont-based Provost Umphrey Law Firm in its 2018 edition for a successful year representing plaintiffs in their respective legal practices.
Looking back at the Americans with Disabilities Act, passed by Congress in 1990[1], one has to be struck by the extent to which the ADA’s lofty sentiments have been overwhelmed by its adverse results. If it’s true that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, then the ADA is a veritable Autobahn of wishful thinking gone awry. Yet no one seems inclined to reroute the ill-fated traffic; some states are even widening the highway with additional lanes.
HOUSTON – Once Mostyn Law’s head of litigation, Rene Sigman has left the firm and joined the Merlin Law Group, a firm specializing in insurance litigation.
Edinburg lawyer Kent Livesay, for one, used to enjoy – and profit from – a good storm, but now the clouds have gathered over his head and the sky is getting darker.
The Texas Supreme Court has a unique structure, reflecting the state’s stubbornly independent-minded culture. Most state supreme courts have jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases and have seven (or fewer) members, who are appointed by the governor and face the voters — if at all — only for periodic “retention” elections. The Texas Supreme Court, in contrast, hears only civil appeals (criminal cases are decided by the co-equal Texas Court of Criminal Appeals) and has nine members, all of whom are subject to statewide partisan elections. The last feature is quite unusual; only seven states select judges in this manner. Despite this distinctive design, the Texas Supreme Court succeeds at steering a steady jurisprudential course in a cautious, low-key style.
AUSTIN – A Texas hail attorney who has already had his law license suspended for a year is now facing criminal charges.
According to a Tarrant County criminal docket, Edinburg attorney Kent Livesay has a bond hearing today. The offense – engaging in organized crime.
DALLAS – Earlier this year, DePuy Orthopaedics and Johnson & Johnson appealed a trial court decision that would have them pay out $150 million in damages to five plaintiffs.
