AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott has announced his general counsel, Jimmy Blacklock, will fill the vacancy on the Texas Supreme Court Justice Don R. Willett will create if confirmed by the Senate for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
AUSTIN –The first week of October marks Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week, which is recognized by Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse and grassroots groups across the country that support legal reform.
HOUSTON - More than one type of storm hit Texas in August, as two law firms have combined to flood courts with more than 200 weather-related lawsuits in an apparent rush to beat the state’s newest tort reform measure.
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! This opportunity will not last long. You must act now! If you miss the September 1 deadline, you'll turn into a pumpkin.
That was the message some local lawyers were sending to homeowners with Hurricane Harvey-damaged properties. Well, maybe not the bit about the pumpkin, but some calls to action were so unhinged that it did seem like some genuine insurance policy catastrophe was looming.
DALLAS – Even while Hurricane Harvey continued to dump records amount of rain on Houstonians, Texas trial lawyers publicly preached doomsday for insureds was rapidly approaching – warning victims to file their claims before a new law went into effect.
HOUSTON – Not long after Hurricane Harvey crashed upon Texas shores, trial lawyers began publicly urging victims to file insurance claims before Sept. 1 – the date a new law aimed at ending weather-related lawsuit abuse goes into effect.
HOUSTON – With the remnants of Hurricane Harvey still impacting the city of Houston, Texas tort reform groups have issued statements assuring victims that a passed bill aimed at enduring storm lawsuit abuse hasn’t changed the insurance claim process.
Most Americans have seen those TV ads touting “billions of dollars” set aside for victims of mesothelioma, the lethal cancer associated with asbestos exposure. Few realize that these funds are also at the center of a national controversy that disproportionately affects military veterans.
AUSTIN – The state of Texas was recognized as one of the most business-friendly in the country and tort reformers said capping how much a person can collect on a lawsuit is part of the reason.
EL PASO – As the ongoing criminal case against Texas lawyer Kent Livesay continues to grab headlines, court records show a civil suit against the hail attorney is also proceeding as well.
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.
AUSTIN – With both the Texas Senate and House cleared, House Bill 1774, a piece of legislation aimed at ending abusive and frivolous hailstorm litigation, is now on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
AUSTIN – Since the courts were apparently no help, those wishing to inflate Texas’ medical malpractice cap on non-economic damages are now turning to the state legislature.
AUSTIN – Texans for Lawsuit Reform sent out an email Tuesday, updating readers on bills of importance the group is following as the 85th Texas Legislature Session continues to unfold.
