News from March 2017
Rampy named a top attorney in Texas
DALLAS – Holly Rampy was a small part of one of the biggest murder cases in Texas.
Attorney general disagrees with federal ruling of gerrymandering of state congressional maps
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton disagreed with a ruling made by federal judges claiming Republican lawmakers used gerrymandering when redrawing congressional district lines and lessening the voting power of minorities.
Rep. Farenthold renews call for protection of 'innocent sellers'
WASHINGTON – Congressman Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) reintroduced a bill known as the Innocent Sellers Fairness Act that is designed to shield vendors who do not actually design or manufacture the products they sell from defect-related litigation.
Jack in the Box patron sues for $500,000 after fall
A patron at a Jack in the Box is suing for $500,000 after allegedly sustaining injuries two years ago when she slipped on a wet floor in the restaurant.
Hunters Creek lot owner allegedly hid code violations
Two home buyers have filed suit against a lot owner in Hunters Creek for allegedly concealing code deficiencies in a new home project and interfering with an existing sales contract.
Former employee sues food services firm
A former employee of Ben E. Keith Co. is suing the firm, citing alleged violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act and gender discrimination.
Can Activist Judges Be Controlled?
The disquieting spectacle of three unelected judges (all appointed by President Barack Obama) enjoining the signature initiative of the newly inaugurated President Donald Trump, without even citing the statute—8 U.S.C. section 1182(f)—that expressly authorizes the action they just stopped, has focused public attention as never before on the threat posed by liberal judicial activism to our system of self-government.
States call for an end to EPA 'overreach' in letter
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other attorneys general have written a letter to the Administrator of the Environment Protection Agency Scott Pruitt calling for an end to the "federal overreach" of the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a press release from Paxton's office.
Congressmen join forces to end forced mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts
WASHINGTON – On March 7, a Capitol Hill coalition of lawmakers including Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) convened to highlight the importance of ending forced mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts and introduced legislation to force companies to give consumers more options in the event of a dispute.
Jury awards woman $1.35 million in condo fraud settlement
AUSTIN – A woman who claimed she was defrauded out of $1.35 million from the sale of her West Austin condominium has won her lawsuit against Chicago Title of Texas LLC and other businesses.
Texas company settles lawsuit against Ford over LED product patent infringement claims
TYLER – Ford Motor Co. has settled a lawsuit filed by the manufacturer of light-emitting diode products, alleging the automaker infringed on one of its patents for LED directional control technology in the headlights of some vehicles.
Possibility of more hailstorms this year will 'continue to put more pressure on rates' for insurance
AUSTIN – Manager of Public Relations & Membership of the Insurance Council of Texas Mark Hanna expressed his concerns with the increased number of storms and whether or not 2017 will mirror previous years.
Bills to curb storm-chasing lawyers seeing 'strong response' from Texas businesses, individuals
HOUSTON – Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR), a nonpartisan group whose self-proclaimed objective is to “restore litigation to its traditional and appropriate role in our society,” is making headway in its efforts to curb “storm-chasing” lawyers.
Aside from Umphrey, Ferguson hauled in more fees than all other PU attorneys
BEAUMONT – For more than a quarter of a century Paul “Chip” Ferguson worked at Provost Umphrey, bringing in tens of millions more in attorney’s fees than the equity partners who booted him out the front door.
Texas SC allows Beaumont church a crack at attorney in $1M stolen funds suit
BEAUMONT – The Texas Supreme Court has ruled a local church has a claim against a defendant who was previously awarded summary judgment in litigation brought over the theft of funds from a $1 million Hurricane Rita settlement.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform releases ‘The Story of Asbestos Litigation in Texas and its National Consequences’
AUSTIN – Texans for Lawsuit Reform has released its latest paper, “The Story of Asbestos Litigation in Texas and Its National Consequences,” a comprehensive look at Texas’ involvement with asbestos litigation – arguably the longest running mass-tort in America.
When Baron & Budd talk, legislators listen
In a crowded public place, two businessmen discuss investments.
Jefferson County 136th Court District: April 2017
HAUCK RENTAL SERVICES LLC V. ADVANCED AERIALS
New business licenses issued in Jefferson County
March 10 - 16 License #:8083 Assumed Name:FED A LICIOUS Address:1501 S 29TH ST, APT #101, NEDERLAND, TX 77627 Owner Name:CORMIER SARAH LYNN.
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
MARSHALL DIVISION Mar. 13 DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC V. CANON U.S.A., INC. 2:17-cv-00192-JRG-RSP