The Texas Lawbook

Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury

Avatar photo

Krista Torralva

Krista Torralva covers pro bono, public service, and diversity matters in the Texas legal market.

Krista Torralva

Krista Torralva covers pro bono, public service, and diversity for the Texas Lawbook Foundation and The Texas Lawbook. Previously, she covered courts for The Dallas Morning News. Krista has spent the bulk of her decade-plus-long career covering criminal courts in Texas and Florida. Her reporting includes the high profile federal terrorism trial against the Pulse nightclub shooter’s widow in Orlando, which ended in a rare acquittal. Her civil courts coverage has included the long-winding Texas voter ID lawsuit, legal battles over local Covid-19 mandates and school board disputes. Krista's work has been recognized by the State Bar of Texas' Gavel Awards, the Texas Association Press Managing Editors, the National Headliner Awards program and various local chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists.

The daughter of a Naval officer, Krista grew up traveling every few years but calls Corpus Christi home and talks about the Texas Gulf Coast every chance she gets. She lives in Dallas’ North Oak Cliff with her husband, Fares Sabawi.

Krista graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington.

SCOTX Hears Arguments in Oncor Appraisal Disputes 

The justices had consolidated the oral arguments in two cases that involve disputes in Mills and Wilbarger counties. The cases are part of a large group of lawsuits filed by Oncor to fight the valuation of its transmission lines in 13 counties. The utility company argues incorrect data provided by a private appraisal firm to determine 2019 values led to a $7 million overvaluation of its property and a "windfall" of taxes for the local governments.

Krista Torralva

Sorrels Law Taps Doctor-Lawyer Hieu Dang to Open Dallas Office

Dr. Hieu T. Dang has an impressive résumé, packed with medical and legal experience as well as a diversity of languages. Dang will continue his anesthesiology practice while working for Sorrels and his own private practice. In a Q&A, Dang shares his keys for success and his winding career path.

Krista Torralva

Fifth Circuit Panel Decries ‘Rambo’ Tactics in Reversal, Scathing Opinion

A three-judge panel including the chief judge issued a rare reversal of a trial verdict on the grounds of improper jury argument. Two Texas lawyers who resorted to name calling, including one who threw a tissue box at opposing counsel, “employed nearly every category of what we have previously held to be improper closing argument,” the judges wrote. 

Krista Torralva

McKool Smith Associate Gets Patent Issued For Study App

Intellectual property and business disputes lawyer Kyle Ryman was a top scorer on the July 2021 Texas Bar Exam thanks to his very own study app that he used to convert long outlines to flashcards. Now, he wants to donate the patent and code to a deserving school or nonprofit.

Krista Torralva

Top Executives Sentenced for Roles in Kickback Schemes

U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr sentenced former Medoc Health Services Chief Executive Kevin Kuykendall and his wife, former vice president of finance, Sabrina Kuykendall on Wednesday. A poignant moment came from the judge at the conclusion of the hearing, when he addressed the Kuykendalls’ two adult sons who sat in the gallery.

Krista Torralva

© Copyright 2026 The Texas Lawbook
The content on this website is protected under federal Copyright laws. Any use without the consent of The Texas Lawbook is prohibited.