News from February 2017
Texas Supreme Court’s spousal benefit reversal raises eyebrows
&&& AUSTIN – The Texas Supreme Court in January ruled that it will decide whether the husbands and wives of gay city employees in Houston deserve spousal benefits, a rare reversal reportedly driven by pressure from Gov. Greg Abbott and dozens of other top Republicans.
ACLU leading a fight against Trump travel ban
HOUSTON – American Civil Liberties Union senior staffers are aggressively monitoring the Trump administration’s stated intention of reenacting a form of the travel ban recently struck down in federal court as unconstitutional in charting the organization’s next course of action in the ongoing saga.
Letter to the editor: The hypocrisy of Paxton and the TCEQ
Paxton and the TCEQ have this great concern for “air quality standards for sulfur dioxide” here in Texas andI agree it should be reviewed.
However, here is where the rubber is NOT meeting the road with these two: The land application of municipal industrial, hospital, storm, and household so call processed sewage sludge (Class A, B, and AB). This would be the concentrated contaminated residuals from cleaning sewage.
Abraham Watkins law firm hit with $1M breach of contract suit
HOUSTON – The self-proclaimed “oldest personal injury firm in Texas” was recently sued by a company seeking up to $1 million in damages for breach of contract. Rainbow International Restoration & Cleaning filed suit against Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels & Friends on Feb. 16 in Harris County District Court.
Ethics reform bill passes Texas Senate, moves to House
AUSTIN – In a move that will put legislators under more scrutiny and provide more governmental transparency, the Texas Senate has approved the ethics reform bill SB 14.
Harris County dog owner blames pit bull owner for injuries
HOUSTON — A Harris County dog owner is suing a pit bull owner, alleging the defendant's negligence led to injuries to the plaintiff and one of her pets.
Development company alleges lenders misled them
HOUSTON — A development company is suing two unlicensed lenders, alleging deceptive and/or misleading representations.
Lawsuit alleges woman lost dental assistant job because of race
HOUSTON – A Houston woman has pursued legal action in response to her alleged termination from a dental clinic last year, recent Harris County District Court records show.
It used to be a crime. Now we celebrate it?
“I believe there are many funding opportunities in Texas and the Southwest,” said Eric Chenoweth, commercial and intellectual property litigator, formerly of Yetter Coleman and recently tapped to head the new Houston office of Australian litigation-funding firm Bentham IMF.
Mostyn Law was pressed to submit final judgment in hail suit that netted $1.8M verdict
McALLEN – On Feb. 27, Mostyn Law submitted a motion for final judgment in a hail lawsuit that hauled in a $1.8 million verdict at trial.
Widow files benzene suit against 30 companies, BP and Chevron among defendants
BEAUMONT – A widow has filed a benzene suit against 30 companies, alleging they caused the death of her spouse.
Jefferson County collision suits settle before trial
BEAUMONT – Two automobile collision lawsuits slated for trial settled before a jury could be selected, according to a courthouse official.
Saleswoman alleges insurance providers failed to pay overtime
HOUSTON — A Harris County woman is suing insurance providers, alleging violation of workers compensation acts in not paying proper overtime.
Executive assistant alleges marketing agency failed to pay overtime
HOUSTON — An executive assistant is suing a Hispanic marketing agency, alleging violation of workers compensation acts in not paying proper overtime.
Employee alleges staffing company failed to pay overtime
HOUSTON — An employee has filed a class action lawsuit against a staffing company, alleging violation of workers compensation acts in not paying proper overtime wages.
Safety supervisor alleges petrochemical companies failed to pay overtime
HOUSTON — A Brazoria County man has filed a class action lawsuit against construction companies, alleging violation of workers compensation acts in not paying proper overtime wages.
Reclaiming the Federal Judiciary: Start with the Fifth Circuit
The widely publicized judicial resistance to President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily limiting entry into the United States by foreign nationals from certain countries has focused public attention as never before on the enormous power wielded by activist judges.
Rental equipment company alleges rigs business broke agreement
HOUSTON — A rental equipment company is suing offshore oil rig companies, alleging breach of master service agreement.
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
MARSHALL DIVISION Feb. 21 TANGELO IP, LLC V. GAMESTOP CORP. 2:17-cv-00142-JRG
Jefferson County 172nd Court District: March 2017
STEPHEN SCHANGE MD ET AL V. OPREX SURGERY