Texas

Lawyers Seek Unpaid Fees From Anna Nicole’s Estate

A Texas law firm has sued the estate of the late Anna Nicole Smith to recover unpaid legal bills. Houston-based Cunningham Darlow filed a creditor’s claim Nov. 16 in Los Angeles Superior Court, arguing the firm hadn’t been paid for representing Smith in her battle over the estate of her…

Nov 27, 2007 6:26 PM CST

Ex-Lawyer Arrested for Shoplifting

A disbarred Dallas criminal defense lawyer has been charged with shoplifting from a Nordstrom department store. Catherine Shelton, 59, is accused of trying to walk out of the store with a designer handbag worth nearly $1,200, two shirts and a candle, the Dallas Morning News reports. A store manager refused…

Nov 27, 2007 1:01 PM CST

Court OKs Murder Conviction for Killing Fetus Before Viability

The highest criminal court in Texas has held that killing a fetus before viability can be prosecuted as murder. The court ruled in the case of Terence Lawrence, convicted of double murder for shooting and killing his girlfriend, who had been pregnant for six weeks or less, the Austin American-Statesman…

Nov 26, 2007 12:56 PM CST

Democratic Donor Accused of Impersonating a Lawyer

A Democratic campaign donor has been released on bail after being accused of impersonating a lawyer. Mauricio Celis was released on $50,000 bail, the Caller-Times reports reports. He has a controlling interest in CGT Law Group of Corpus Christi, Texas, the Associated Press reports. Celis was indicted Friday for impersonating…

Nov 20, 2007 4:52 PM CST

5th Circuit: Gov’t. Must Notify Workers of Fridge Cleaning

Weighing in on an important workplace issue that has undoubtedly vexed many an employee nationwide, the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has reportedly rendered an opinion that determines the constitutionality of government office refrigerator cleaning. No longer can a government employer simply clean out the office refrigerator…

Nov 15, 2007 9:40 PM CST

Government May Seek Assets From Estate of Dead Enron Founder

A Houston federal judge has given the government the go-ahead to seek nearly $13 million in assets from the estate of Enron founder Kenneth Lay, who died last year after his conviction for fraud and conspiracy. The government will have to prove it has a right to the assets in…

Nov 15, 2007 6:54 PM CST

Famed Texas PI Lawyer’s Trials Help Destroy Landmark Home

An abandoned landmark home in Houston reflects the fortunes and vicissitudes of its owner, famed personal injury attorney John O’Quinn. Purchased in 2004, along with its unique furniture, for $515,000 by the “zillionaire” attorney, the once-“superswank Mod palace” remembered by a local architecture critic is now a water-damaged, vandalized wreck…

Nov 15, 2007 12:17 AM CST

Cat Killer in a Peck of Trouble Over Piper Plovers

The trial of a Texas bird-watching enthusiast for killing a cat turns on whether the victim, named Mama Cat, was feral. James M. Stevenson, the founder of the Galveston Ornithological Society, is being prosecuted under a law that bars the killing of cats “belonging to another,” the New York Times…

Nov 14, 2007 4:25 PM CST

Brooks & Dunn to Headline PI Lawyer’s Holiday Party

Country music stars Brooks & Dunn will headline this year’s holiday party hosted by Houston lawyer Mark Lanier. The plaintiffs lawyer invites thousands of people to his annual bash at his 20-acre estate, including judges, politicians and legal journalists, the Wall Street Journal Law Blog reports. This year’s invitation was…

Nov 14, 2007 3:14 PM CST

‘Dismal’ Diversity at Big Dallas Firms

More than a decade ago, the men at the helm of the biggest and best-known law firms in Dallas pledged to a major effort to recruit more minorities. But attorneys of color still represent only a small fraction of those who work there–less than five percent of equity partners, reports…

Nov 12, 2007 7:39 PM CST

Executed Man’s Wife Sues Judge Who Closed Courthouse Door

Updated: Already facing a legal ethics complaint, a Texas appellate judge who refused to accept an eleventh-hour late filing in a death penalty appeal is now being sued by the executed man’s wife. The federal suit accuses Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller of violating Michael Richard’s…

Nov 7, 2007 11:49 PM CST

Ex-Prosecutor Claims DA Fired Him for Being White

A former prosecutor in the Dallas County district attorney’s office has filed a suit that contends he was fired because he was white. Rick Jackson, who headed the organized crime unit, says he was one of 10 senior prosecutors fired in a shakeup by DA Craig Watkins, the Dallas Morning…

Nov 7, 2007 7:10 PM CST

Under Pressure, Texas Court Allows E-Mail Pleadings

The highest criminal court in Texas, facing a storm of criticism for failing to accept an emergency death penalty appeal 20 minutes after closing time, will now accept some motions by e-mail. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals announced yesterday that it will allow emergency e-mail motions in death penalty…

Nov 7, 2007 12:43 PM CST

Joseph Jamail Denies Feud With John O’Quinn

Houston plaintiffs lawyer Joseph Jamail says any talk of a feud between him and the lawyer he sued on behalf of breast implant plaintiffs is a lot of rubbish. Jamail and Houston litigator Ronald Krist sued Houston lawyer John O’Quinn on behalf of former breast implant clients who claim he…

Nov 6, 2007 12:46 PM CST

Lawyer’s Trial Boycott Strategy Worked

Texas’ highest criminal appeals court has handed a lawyer who boycotted his client’s trial the ruling he desired. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled in a 5-4 decision Oct. 17 that lawyer Christopher Hoover provided ineffective assistance of counsel, Texas Lawyer reports. The court ordered a new trial for…

Nov 5, 2007 3:45 PM CST