Texas

TX Law Firm Dodges $1.4 M Emotional Distress Award

The Law Offices of Windle Turley saw the tables turned when an ex-client won a $1.4 million judgment for emotional distress after the firm sued him for legal fees. Now a Texas judge has set aside the verdict, Texas Lawyer reports. The law firm had sued ex-client Robert French to…

Oct 8, 2007 12:24 PM CDT

Arson Fire Destroyed Home of TX Justice, Marshal Says

A June fire that gutted the home of Texas Supreme Court Justice David Medina was arson, the fire marshal has concluded. Investigators have subpoenaed cell phone records of the judge’s family members and friends, six of whom have been identified as “people of interest,” the Houston Chronicle reports. Family members…

Oct 4, 2007 3:21 PM CDT

Stubborn Juror Won’t Vote

“What do we do when a juror refuses to vote?” That was the handwritten note submitted yesterday to the federal judge overseeing the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing case, the Dallas Morning News reports. U.S. District Judge A. Joe Fish of Dallas sent the jurors back for more deliberations with…

Oct 4, 2007 2:22 PM CDT

This Defense Upheld: Client ‘a Dad-gum Mess’

A Texas appeals court has upheld a DWI conviction even though the defense lawyer called his client’s life “a dad-gum mess.” A dissent argued the defense lawyer “effectively became a second prosecutor in the case,” Texas Lawyer reports. The defendant, Archie Doyle Martin Jr., took the stand, allowing the prosecution…

Oct 3, 2007 12:13 PM CDT

Texas Halts Lethal Injection

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has halted the execution of a death-row inmate scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection today. The Texas court issued a stay late last night for Heliberto Chi after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision a week ago to consider the constitutionality of…

Oct 3, 2007 10:57 AM CDT

Loeffler Leaves Loeffler, Keeps Lobby Arm

Lobbyist and former Texas Congressman Tom Loeffler has left the law firm he founded. But he has retained his national lobbying firm, the Loeffler Group, and will continue to be housed in the same office building with his now-former partners at Loeffler Tuggey Pauerstein Rosenthal, reports the San Antonio Express-News.…

Oct 2, 2007 7:07 PM CDT

Ready, Aim—Indict!

Some Texas grand jurors are getting a cop’s-eye view of police work

Oct 1, 2007 6:12 PM CDT

US Judge Reprimanded After Harassment Complaint

An employee’s sexual harassment complaint has resulted in a reprimand against U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent of Galveston. The Judicial Council of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reprimanded Kent following the complaint of former case manager Cathy McBroom, Texas Lawyer reports. The council’s order (PDF) of…

Oct 1, 2007 10:45 AM CDT

Practicing Lawyer Also Sells Luxe Goods

Like a number of others who market luxury goods to upscale clients, Maryann Mihalopoulos isn’t ready to give up her day gig. A lawyer who runs a business litigation and divorce firm in Dallas, the 47-year-old mother of three also manufactures and sells Xela Aromasticks reports the International Herald Tribune.…

Sep 28, 2007 10:51 PM CDT

Nice Job: World’s Richest Representation

Ten years ago, Steven Selsberg left the Houston office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges because he didn’t make partner. Today, his professional future is looking a lot brighter. Although has racked up a number of professional accomplishments in the meantime, including partnerships at two major law firms, one in particular…

Sep 25, 2007 8:51 PM CDT

False Judge Liens Cost Inmate 20 Years

A Texas inmate convicted of filing fraudulent liens against two federal judges will have to serve an extra 20 years in prison. Mycal Antoine Poole had filed false liens for more than $4.1 million against U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks and $37 million against U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Austin, the…

Sep 24, 2007 3:24 PM CDT

Heelys a Bad Dealys, Suits Say

Several lawsuits filed on behalf of investors who bought stock in Heelys Inc. claim the company hid injuries that had been caused by the shoes with wheels. The Tex Parte blog reports on one of the suits filed in the Northern District of Texas. It claims the company’s registration statement…

Sep 13, 2007 1:12 PM CDT

Lawyer’s Tie in Tatters Over Terrorism Matters

A Texas lawyer’s ragged red, white and blue tie is not a fashion statement. Robert Flournoy of Lufkin City vowed to keep wearing the tie, purchased at the 2000 Republican National Convention, until Osama bin Laden is captured or proven dead, according to a story on the Tex Parte blog…

Sep 13, 2007 12:47 PM CDT

Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell Is Born

The deal has been formally approved: Texas-based Locke Liddell & Sapp will merge with Lord, Bissell & Brook, a firm with headquarters in Chicago. The new 700-lawyer firm will be called Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell, Texas Lawyer reports. It will have 11 offices and gross revenues of about $400…

Sep 13, 2007 12:17 PM CDT

Lawyer O’Quinn Ordered to Pay $41.4 M

Houston lawyer John O’Quinn owes $41.4 million because he overcharged former breast implant clients, an arbitration panel ruled yesterday. The amount owed climbed from the $35.7 million sum O’Quinn was ordered to pay in July after interest and attorney fees were added, the Houston Chronicle reports. The suit had claimed…

Sep 12, 2007 6:40 PM CDT