WASHINGTON - The state of Texas has sided against the State Bar of Texas, filing a brief in support of a trio of attorneys asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hold that members of a mandatory bar cannot be compelled to finance any political or ideological activities with their dues.
The return of nuclear verdicts to Texas courts (and attorney television advertising) and the recently launched efforts of the medical malpractice plaintiff’s bar to convince the federal courts to strike down Texas’ cap on noneconomic damages in medical liability cases (which is likely to play out over several years) could potentially raise an issue for state lawmakers: is it time to consider codifying at least some objective standards and levels of proof for mental anguish damages?
WASHINGTON - The State Bar of Texas’ speech is government speech, so “the Free Speech Clause has no application” to its expressive activities, according to a petition the Bar’s Board of Directors recently filed with the U.S. Supreme Court.
HOUSTON - The 14th Court of Appeals today affirmed the denial of AutoNation USA Houston’s motion to compel arbitration in a discrimination lawsuit, finding that arbitration would not be less expensive than litigation.
HOUSTON — Kirby Offshore Marine in Houston is facing a claim it forced one of its crew members to work under harsh conditions immediately following his bout with COVID-19.
AUSTIN - Yesterday, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals found that the attorney general cannot prosecute election cases unilaterally – a decision AG Ken Paxton thinks “could be devastating for future elections in Texas.”
WASHINGTON – The full Fifth Circuit bench ruled yesterday that Texas accountant Michelle Cochran has the right to challenge the constitutionality of her Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ) removal protections in federal court before undergoing an administrative adjudication, a press release states.
HOUSTON - The 14th Court of Appeals recently affirmed a ruling denying Galveston County governmental immunity in a lawsuit brought by injured beachgoers.
As we reported nearly three months ago, the First Court of Appeals [Houston] handed down a decision in a coverage dispute between an additional insured and CGL carriers that flatly contravenes recent SCOTX precedent.
AUSTIN – Two more Texas cities have joined a growing list of municipalities seeking to sue Netflix, Hulu, Disney and other streamers over franchise fees.
AUSTIN - The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Board of Directors met Dec. 7 and declined to reverse the 5 percent rate increase on windstorm insurance policies scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, a press release states.
BEAUMONT - The Ninth Court of Appeals recently affirmed a verdict of more than $841,000 in damages against Schindler Elevator in a personal injury lawsuit.