The men and women of Texas’ appeals courts are called justices for a reason. They’re typically the first people to scrutinize whether justice was truly served to their citizens in the trial courts they oversee. In the first of a special series on Texas judicial races, this article introduces the candidates in Houston’s two intermediate appellate courts and lays out the issues that Houston voters may consider about these races while filling out their 2020 ballot.
“Well, that was unexpected…” Panel Considers SCOTX Term
The state’s highest court dealt with a number of issues this past term — a COVID-19 pandemic, changes in personnel and a ransomware attack. But the court also heard a few cases, and a quartet of appellate experts from Beck Redden and Haynes and Boone discussed those cases in a recent panel hosted by The Texas Lawbook.
TexaSCOTUS: Texas Lawyers Gear Up for the Upcoming U.S. Supreme Court Term
Last term Texas lawyers were involved in most of the headline cases. In the upcoming term, it appears Texas lawyers will again have an outsized role. The difference: the absence of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and, sooner or later, the presence of her successor. Tony Mauro reports on cases Texans are watching.
Texans Reflect on Justice Ginsburg and Her Potential Replacement
Texas lawyers mourned the death Friday of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg whose contributions to the rights of women and the rule of law were fundamental and historic. Mark Curriden asked a few of them to reflect on her impact and how her loss could reshape the court.
John Browning Sworn in to Court of Appeals in Dallas
Civil litigator John G. Browning was sworn in to the Dallas Fifth Court of Appeals Monday. Gov. Greg Abbott announced his appointment of Browning last week as a result of the unexpected death last month of Browning’s predecessor, Justice David Bridges.
SA Chick-fil-A Ban Tossed by 4th COA, Heading to SCOTX
Having lost, on appeal, their challenge to the ban on Chick-fil-A from the San Antonio airport, third-party defenders of the fast food company say they intend to have SCOTX review their case. Natalie Posgate reports.
Is the Fifth Circuit Too Conservative Even for the Current Supreme Court?
With a 90% reversal rate in the term ending last month the U.S. Ninth Circuit continues to be perceived as a whipping boy for SCOTUS. But at an 86% reversal rate, the U.S. Fifth Circuit wasn’t far behind. What’s going on here? Tony Mauro looks at what some describe as a testy history between the upper and lower court.
Amici to Fifth Circuit: Mandatory Bar Crucial to Diversity, Justice in the Law
Eighteen prominent lawyers and corporate in-house counsel filed an amicus brief late Thursday stating that those seeking to have mandatory membership and dues in the Texas Bar declared unconstitutional fundamentally misunderstand the importance of diversity to the practice of law.
Texas Bar to Fifth Circuit: Mandatory Membership and Dues are Constitutional
U.S. Supreme Court precedent allows the state bar to collect mandatory dues to support programs that improve the quality if legal services. That is the Texas Bar’s argument at the federal Fifth Circuit which is hearing an appeal by lawyers seeking to end the very existence of mandatory bar associations.
Record-Breaking SCOTUS Advocate Lisa Blatt Talks Texas
Lisa Blatt has argued more cases before the U.S. Supreme Court than any other woman in history – 40 cases, 37 wins. Born in San Angelo and educated at UT, Blatt embraces the state’s “Don’t Mess with Texas” bravado.