Texas

Lawyer Claims Texas AG Fired Her for Complaint About Christian Holidays

A former lawyer in the Texas Attorney General’s office claims in a lawsuit that she was fired after complaining about sex bias and a policy that showed a preference for Christian holidays. The plaintiff, Rhonda Pressley, has worked in the office for 18 years, Texas Lawyer reports. She claims her…

Apr 23, 2009 5:13 PM CDT

Rogue Juror’s Note Nixes $3M Pact, Ford Claims; Top Texas Court OKs Discovery

After a six-week trial in a products liability case over a Ford Explorer rollover accident, the forewoman of a jury in Brownsville, Texas, sent a note to the judge on the second day of deliberations. It read: “What is the maximum amount that can be awarded?” At that point, lawyers…

Apr 22, 2009 5:22 PM CDT

Former AG Ashcroft Forms Nationwide Law Firm with Ex-Prosecutors

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft is teaming up with former federal prosecutors to open a nationwide law firm that will affiliate with his consulting business. Ashcroft’s law firm is expected to open offices in several cities in the next several weeks, the St. Louis Business Journal reports. The former Missouri…

Apr 22, 2009 12:41 PM CDT

Boy, 12, Charged With Capital Murder in Texas Baby’s Death

An unidentified Texas boy, age 12, has been charged with capital murder in the death of a baby. Although he is too young to be tried as an adult, he could get up to 40 years if he is convicted as a juvenile, reports the Houston Chronicle in a brief…

Apr 21, 2009 11:38 PM CDT

Tardy Lawyers Still Get Paid in Texas Capital Appeals Cases

When a lawyer misses a filing deadline in a capital appeal, he or she risks not only the client’s case but the client’s life. Yet Texas lawyers who have repeatedly missed filing deadlines in death-row appeals are not only being paid for their work but allowed to represent inmates in…

Apr 20, 2009 6:25 PM CDT

Treadmill Desks Gain Traction at Chicago Law Office

Last year, in an effort to lose 40 to 50 pounds, Texas lawyer Ross Robinson paired a $700 low-speed treadmill with his stand-up desk. Less than a year later, the Winstead partner is 40 pounds lighter, reports the National Law Journal in an article reprinted in New York Lawyer (reg.…

Apr 17, 2009 9:35 PM CDT

Lawyers Retool for Bankruptcy Practice, Due to Dismal Economy

Back when the economy was robust, attorney Brett King worked on mergers and acquisitions in Asia. Now he and other lawyers there bill themselves as “restructuring” experts—sometimes concerneing the same failed deals they helped put together, reports the Wall Street Journal. And they’re far from the only attorneys seeking a…

Apr 15, 2009 6:39 PM CDT

Houston Lawyer Loses License Because of Failure to Pay Debts

A Houston lawyer who failed to comply with a plan to repay student loans and other personal debt will lose his law license as a result. A Texas appeals court said lawyer Frank Santulli III did not have the trustworthiness needed to represent clients because of his failure to comply…

Apr 14, 2009 1:28 PM CDT

Texas Law Student: I Know 1 Person Who’s Found Work

Although Texas may be faring better than some other states, job prospects for law students are down significantly. At Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, for instance, officials are predicting an 84 or 85 percent employment rate, within nine months of graduation, among those in the class of 2008 who…

Apr 13, 2009 5:57 PM CDT

Judge’s Sentence for Truants? Quality Time With a Jigsaw Puzzle

As a truancy court judge in Garland, Texas, John Sholden hears up to 70 cases a day and sees more than his fair share of repeat offenders. There are a host of reasons. But many of them are skipping school to get back at their parents. So Sholden began sentencing…

Apr 9, 2009 3:32 PM CDT

Texas Judge Tells Medical Examiner to Help Mom Get Dead Son’s Sperm

Nikolas Colton Evans always wanted three sons. So, when he died after being punched and falling in a March 27 street assault in Austin, Texas, his mother, Marissa Evans, decided to try to harvest the 21-year-old’s sperm and arrange a posthumous pregnancy with the help of a surrogate mother. Now,…

Apr 8, 2009 4:58 PM CDT

‘Spanking’ Judge Given a Public Warning

A Texas judicial conduct panel has given a public warning to a judge who gave parents the option of paddling their children or paying a $500 fine. The public warning given to Judge Gustavo Garza is in the middle range of disciplinary options, the Associated Press reports. The State Commission…

Apr 3, 2009 2:10 PM CDT

Paralegal Loses Sex Claims, But Can Sue Texas PI Lawyer Over Firing & OT

A Texas judge has dismissed a paralegal’s civil litigation claims of sexual misconduct by a well-known plaintiff personal injury attorney, but allowed her to continue with other allegations. Harris County District Judge Tracy Christopher yesterday granted a motion for summary judgment for lack of evidence by attorney Richard Laminack on…

Apr 2, 2009 8:01 PM CDT

Assets Frozen, Billionaire Stanford Has No $ For Lawyer

Texas billionaire R. Allen Stanford notified a federal court in Dallas this week that he is unable to retain counsel because all his assets and money have been seized. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has sued Stanford and two associates, accusing them of running a multibillion-dollar fraud through investment…

Apr 1, 2009 2:36 PM CDT

Stanford Lawyer Hits SEC ‘Storm Troopers,’ Says His Client is No Madoff

Houston lawyer Dick DeGuerin is going on the offensive as he takes on a new client—billionaire R. Allen Stanford, accused of running an $8 billion Ponzi scheme. In interviews with Bloomberg, Business Week and the Houston Chronicle, DeGuerin said Stanford is no Bernard Madoff, who has pleaded guilty to running…

Mar 27, 2009 11:21 AM CDT