Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Jimmy Blacklock as chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas on January 6, and appointed James P. Sullivan as the court’s Place 2 justice, filling Blacklock’s previous spot, according to a press release. Blacklock becomes the court’s 28th chief justice, replacing former Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht, who retired at … Continue Reading
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit is accepting comments about proposed amendments to 5th Circuit Rule 27.3. Read the full notice, which includes the proposed redline changes, on the court’s website. The court is accepting written comments through October 25, 2024, by email at changes@ca5.uscourts.gov or by mail at: Clerk of Court … Continue Reading
Gov. Greg Abbott swore in the newly appointed judges to the Texas Business Court on September 19 at Texas A&M University School of Law in Fort Worth. Created during the 88th legislative session with the enactment of HB 19, each Business Court Division will provide a mechanism for businesses to resolve complex commercial disputes in … Continue Reading
The Supreme Court of Texas issued an order on August 6 preliminarily approving rules governing licensed legal paraprofessionals and licensed court-access assistants and inviting public comments. The court’s new and amended rules would allow licensed paraprofessionals to represent low-income individuals facing certain issues in the areas of family law, estate planning and probate law, and … Continue Reading
The Supreme Court of Texas issued an order on June 25 regarding the adoption and implementation of the NextGen Bar Exam and a separate Texas law component. The court expects both to debut with the administration of the July 2028 Texas Bar Examination, according to a press release. The court issued the order following an … Continue Reading
The First Court of Appeals in Houston is warning the public that scammers are calling community members claiming to be an officer on behalf of a justice of the court. The scammers claim the community member missed jury duty and must pay money to avoid having a warrant issued for their arrest. The First Court … Continue Reading
By Doryn Danner Glenn As if we don’t all have enough to deal with. Each and every one of us is bombarded with daily concerns and issues. Do we really need one more? Do we really need to be concerned about court scams? The answer is a resounding yes! The individuals who perpetrate these scams … Continue Reading
Legal matters generally involve parties who have different versions of the story and the facts. Cases may be complex and involve legal terms unfamiliar to the public. Understanding the basics of the legal system, the differences in the types of courts, and the meaning of legal terms is important to accurately reporting on legal proceedings. … Continue Reading
By Doryn Danner Glenn “You have been summoned for jury service.” The feelings evoked when reading those words on an envelope pulled from the mailbox vary from person to person. Some are excited about the prospect of experiencing the court system in such a vital role. Others dread the thought of making a decision that … Continue Reading
Fastcase and the State Bar of Texas are extending their partnership to provide all active State Bar members with free access to Fastcase caselaw alerts in 13 practice areas. Since 2014, State Bar of Texas members have received unlimited access to Fastcase’s nationwide legal research content service as a bar member benefit. In renewing their … Continue Reading
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit is accepting comments about proposed amendments to 5th Circuit Rule 47.5.4. Read the full notice, which includes the proposed redline changes, on the court’s website. The court is accepting written comments through October 21 by email at changes@ca5.uscourts.gov or by mail at: Clerk of Court U.S. … Continue Reading
The American Lawyers Alliance, or ALA, has named Texas Supreme Court Justice Brett Busby the 2022 recipient of its Judicial Civic Education Award. The ALA is an American Bar Association affiliate that supports law-related education, and the Judicial Civic Education Award honors judges for their work promoting civic education in their communities or states. Busby, … Continue Reading
The Texas Supreme Court issued a unanimous order Friday permitting out-of-state lawyers to provide legal services to indigent defendants arrested for certain misdemeanor offenses. The emergency order, Misc. Docket No. 22-9007, allows attorneys authorized to practice law in another U.S. jurisdiction to provide services as an employee of a public defender office or through a … Continue Reading
By Dylan Drummond For the past several decades, the Texas Supreme Court’s longtime public information staff attorney—Osler McCarthy—lovingly, laboriously, and manually emailed the court’s Friday orders to anyone who had asked to be added to an email distribution list he maintained. With Osler’s retirement last month, the court has now semi-automated this email notification system, … Continue Reading
By Doryn Glenn The State Bar of Texas Jury Service Committee is warning the public against criminals that would seek to make them victims of scams that are becoming increasingly common. Individuals, pretending to be local law enforcement officers, are calling citizens stating that they have failed to appear for jury duty or some other … Continue Reading
The Texas Office of Court Administration has selected three vendors to support the new statewide Uniform Case Management System, or UCMS. The three vendors selected to support the UCMS are Icon Software, iDocket, and Tyler Technologies. UCMS is an opt-in court case management system aimed at supporting Texas counties with a population less than 20,000, … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: The following tribute was originally published by the State Bar of Texas Appellate Section and is reprinted with permission. By Wallace B. Jefferson Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court (Ret.) Lawyers and journalists know why today is important in the life of Texas law. The Supreme Court just issued the term’s final weekly regular … Continue Reading
The Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday issued its 38th Emergency Order of the COVID-19 pandemic. In it, the court permits the modification or suspension of court deadlines and procedures through August 1, 2021. The order permits all courts to hold in-person proceedings, including jury trials, after the adoption of health and safety standards, but encourages … Continue Reading
The State of the Judiciary Address by Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht will be broadcast online at noon on Tuesday, March 23. To watch, tune in at the State Judiciary website at txcourts.gov/soj.… Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The Texas Supreme Court issued the following advisory on March 5. In the 36th emergency order issued Friday responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Texas Supreme Court has removed requirements that all but certain proceedings be remote but encourages remote trials and hearings and gives local presiding judges authority to require masks for participants and … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following message was sent to all members on Friday, February 19. Dear Member, We know many of you have been dealing with extended power outages, water service disruptions, and other emergencies. This time of hardship is stressing our families and our livelihoods. Warmer temperatures are coming, but recovery from this hardship may … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following message was sent to all members on Friday, February 12. Dear Member, This message includes updated information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other State Bar of Texas information. We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Supreme Court of Texas Emergency Order The Texas Supreme … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: The following message was sent to all members on Friday, January 15. Dear Member, This message includes updated information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other State Bar of Texas information. We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Supreme Court of Texas Emergency Order and OCA Guidance … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: The Texas Supreme Court issued the following advisory on December 22. In an emergency order posted Tuesday, the Texas Supreme Court has extended deadlines for procedures for tenants and landlords under a statewide housing-assistance program intended to avoid evictions for tenants behind on rent. The Texas Eviction Diversion Program, announced in October, is … Continue Reading
