Legislative Issues Articles

A week ago Thursday the United States House of Representatives gave initial approval to temporarily end attorney’s fee awards in successful suits against the Federal government. The Equal Access to Justice program allows individuals, small businesses, and non-profits, among others, to collect attorneys fees under certain circumstances when they prevail in their cases against the…

Last week I traveled to Washington, D.C. to witness history in the making. A long-time friend and colleague, Jimmie Reyna, had his Senate confirmation hearing for his appointment to the United States Court of Appeals-District of Columbia Circuit. Mr. Reyna was appointed to the appellate position by President Obama in September 2010. Attending the senate…

The Texas Access to Justice Commission held its Legislative Day in Austin, Texas on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. Included in this day was a press conference regarding the Texas legal aid funding crisis and potential legislative solutions. Held in the Speakers Committee Room, Justice Nathan Hecht, Chairman Harry Reasoner, and Chairman Emeritus Jim Sales set…

The Texas Supreme Court ruled last month that doctors employed by the Health Science Center in San Antonio cannot be held accountable for their alleged negligence when delivering a baby. The decision came in Franka and Reddy v. Velasquez, et al., ___ S.W.3d ___ (Tex. 2011). In Franka, the “baby’s left clavicle was fractured, and…

As the Texas Legislature convenes and begins the arduous process of determining new laws and how budget dollars will be spent over the next two years, the citizens of Texas need to know the real story about what is being proposed. Our law firm obviously has an interest in keeping the courthouse doors open for…

On Thursday, February 10, 2011, The First Court of Appeals in Houston handed down a decision that affirmed a previous ruling won by our firm, denying the defendants in a pipeline explosion case the opportunity for a rehearing, and simultaneously providing clear direction in future choice of law debates. The case, Enterprise Products Partners, L.P….

A baby allegedly injured by malpractice during delivery at a public hospital has no right to sue the negligent doctors employed by the hospital. That is the result of a recent ruling from the Texas Supreme Court in Franka et al. v. Velazquez, et al., ___ S.W.3d ___ (Tex. 2011)(1/21/11). In Franka, the family of…

On Wednesday, January 20, 2011, the First Court of Appeals in Houston affirmed a jury verdict in favor of the widow, infant child, and father of a worker who was killed when a garbage truck backed over him. The case is entitled Republic Waste Services of Texas, Ltd., et al. v. Martinez, et al., ___…