Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP), text TLAP to 555888, or find more information at tlaphelps.org. I spent my whole life before law school achieving great things academically and trying to be perfect—and to somehow prove to myself … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP), text TLAP to 555888, or find more information at tlaphelps.org. I have always struggled with the feeling of “not enough.” Not smart enough. Not nice enough. Not worthy enough. I could go … Continue Reading
The Texas Supreme Court recently provided pointed guidance to litigants seeking attorney’s fees in a fee-shifting setting. “In short, to secure an award of attorney’s fees from an opponent, the prevailing party must prove that (1) recovery of attorney’s fees is legally authorized, and (2) the requested attorney’s fees are reasonable and necessary for legal … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on June 29, 2018. Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP), text TLAP to 555888, or find more information at tlaphelps.org. I started drinking in high school and immediately liked the way … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP), text TLAP to 555888, or find more information at tlaphelps.org. I am a trial lawyer. When I started practice 46 years ago, trial lawyers “were required” to work hard, play hard, and … Continue Reading
Contrary to popular belief, remote depositions are not a new thing. What is new is the temporary suspension of the requirement that the deposition officer, aka certified shorthand reporter, be in the physical presence of the witness. As COVID-19 keeps us all at home, here are some important tips to remember when conducting a remote … Continue Reading
Brief Background and Introduction As a Texas commercial litigation and business lawyer, and clinical professor of business law, I am consistently advising clients and educating students as to the vast depth and complexities of the Texas Business Organizations Code and Texas Business and Commerce Code. However, business laws, both statutory and common law in nature, … Continue Reading
Lawyers, especially collection lawyers, are always looking for new creditor clients. Deceptive criminals have been preying on lawyers for years. Some “scammer detection” tips follow: Typically the “scammer” will contact you by phone or via email. The email will state that the “scammer creditor” company has a debt to collect from a debtor company in your area. Often the … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on October 15, 2014. Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP), text TLAP to 555888, or find more information at tlaphelps.org. I’ve been given the precious gift of life three times; when … Continue Reading
Despite a criminal statute banning gambling in Texas, approximately 30 establishments have taken advantage of perceived loopholes in the law to operate openly as private poker clubs. Until recently, there has been little pushback from law enforcement. Perhaps realizing the potential for lucrative seizures, several of these private clubs recently came under the scrutiny of … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on March 15, 2016. Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP), text TLAP to 555888, or find more information at tlaphelps.org. I knew for some time that I might have a genetic … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on December 8, 2015. Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP), text TLAP to 555888, or find more information at tlaphelps.org. Editor’s note: TLAP has put together a paper that might be … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on April 21, 2014. Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP) or find more information at tlaphelps.org. Even as a kid I identified with that cartoon character who walked around with a … Continue Reading
Hero: /hiro/: a person who is admired for achievements and noble qualities. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. By the definition above, it is easy to see why we chose the theme of “Not All Heroes Wear Capes” for this year’s Equal Access to Justice Campaign. In this endeavor, our EAJ heroes are admired not for their achievements, but … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on May 15, 2014. Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP) or find more information at tlaphelps.org. I could not open my eyes. I could hear someone calling my name but … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP) or find more information at tlaphelps.org. Law school made me an alcoholic, or to be fair to law school, it was during law school that I crossed over to alcoholism. In college, … Continue Reading
As Americans we rightfully celebrate the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the sacrifices made, while struggling to reconcile with Vietnam War deaths 50 years ago. Although I spent three years on active duty in the Marine Corps in the early 1970s, I was stationed safely in Okinawa, Japan, when the United States’ combat operations in … Continue Reading
Several months ago, I read an article published in the Texas Bar Journal that identified the waning perception of lawyers as leaders in society (“Lawyers as Citizen Leaders,” by Leon Jaworski, February 2018, pp. 90-93). This reality continues to haunt me. In a world desperate for leadership, lawyers are—and must continue to be—leaders. Members of … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP) or find more information at tlaphelps.org. What did I do last night? Who is mad at me? What did I do at work yesterday afternoon? Did I commit malpractice? Surely, a … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP) or find more information at tlaphelps.org. My name is _____________. I am almost 60 years old, eight years clean in NA, and this is my first time in recovery. I thought … Continue Reading
It is a timeless and eternal verity that we all cherish our children and seek to ensure their overall well-being in every facet of their lives and stage of development. No sacrifice is too great to achieve that paramount aim. In the context of family law and the dissolution of marriage where children are involved, … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP) or find more information at tlaphelps.org. I walked out of my first AA meeting confident I was not an alcoholic. The meeting was a speaker meeting, and the speaker told a … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: This post, which has been updated, was originally published on June 15, 2015, as the 12th story in the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s Stories of Recovery blog series, featuring attorneys in their own words. TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance abuse or mental health issues. Call TLAP … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: State Bar of Texas President Joe K. Longley sent the following message to members Wednesday. As we celebrate the holiday season and prepare for 2019, I offer this update on some recent happenings at the State Bar of Texas. 2019-2020 Budget Update The State Bar Board’s Budget Committee met December 13 to hear … Continue Reading
