Legislative Issues Articles

I was recently appointed to serve a three year term on the Texas Access to Justice Commission. The purpose of this organization, also known as LegalAid, is to provide legal aid to the poor in civil matters. Its mission is to develop and implement policy initiatives designed to expand access to, and enhance the quality…

The Texas Supreme Court issued another ruling last Friday (May 1, 2009) in City of San Antonio v. Pollock which allows the defense to attack on appeal the plaintiff’s expert’s opinions, even without a timely objection at trial. In Pollock, plaintiffs lived near a city-run landfill. Their daughter contracted a serious leukemia with the acronym…

1. United States District Judge Godbey last week established the briefing schedule for arguments on whether Allen Stanford should be able to obtain money to pay his attorneys. John Little-the court-appointed Examiner representing the interests of CD investors-has been given until today (May 4) to file his response. Since the Court denied the proposed interventions…

The US Food and Drug Administration has just warned consumers to immediately stop using the dietary supplement Hydroxycut, because of an association between the Hydroxycut products and a number of serious liver and other injuries. Made by Iovate Health Sciences Inc. (Oakville, Ontario) and distributed by Iovate Health Sciences USA Inc. (Blasdell, N.Y.), the manufacturer…

Previously issued as a 9-0 opinion, there were three justices (including the Chief Justice) who dissented, and two concurring opinions were written. The Court frames the issue in the first paragraph (as the majority sees the issue); In this workers compensation case, we decide whether a premises owner that contracts for the performance of work…

Last month, the SEC filed a lawsuit in Dallas federal court against Stanford Financial Group, Allen Stanford, and others. At a hearing conducted without notice to any other party, the Court entered an Order freezing assets and appointing a Receiver. The Order, which later was replaced by a Preliminary Injunction, affected thousands of investors. Drafted…

The recent SEC action against Stanford Financial Group comes as no surprise to our law firm as we have recently successfully concluded a lawsuit against Stanford. Our law firm represented a group of investors who allege fraud and misrepresentation against Stanford Financial Group involving an investment opportunity in which Stanford acted as the investment banker….

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed an upgrade Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 216 (FMVSS 216) would require that a roof withstand an applied force equal to 2.5 times the vehicle’s weight while maintaining sufficient headroom for an average size adult male. The current standard is 1.5 times the vehicle’s weight. The…