Voices: The NDTX Bench Bar
The annual Bench Bar Conference for the Northern District of Texas last week was a non-stop crush of candid judicial observations and advice litigators ignore at their risk. Here's a sampling of what attendees heard.
Remembering Family Law Giant Brian Webb: ‘One of a Kind’
Brian L. Webb, one of the most prominent family lawyers in the southwest and a leader of the Texas legal community, died on Friday at the age of 70. Webb helped hundreds of Texans in family law matters during his 44-year career.
When a Lynching was Actually a Lynching, and Changed the Law Forever
Ed Johnson was dragged from his jail cell by dozens of white men, brutally beaten and told his family and friends would be next. The mob hauled Johnson to the county bridge and placed a noose around his neck. "There's nothing you can do to save your life," the mob screamed. "God bless you all," Johnson answered. "I am a innocent man." This is the story about a time when lynchings were actually lynchings. This lynching forever changed the law.
Responding to Social Security Administration “No-Match” Letters
Since March, the SSA has sent nearly 600,000 Employer Correction Request Notices to employers across the country informing them that information reported on their W-2s does not match SSA records. Nathaniel Martinez of Munsch Hardt explains how to respond to these letters and how to improve I-9 compliance programs.
Stars Align in Texas for the Gig Economy
The explosive growth in the short-term, by-the-job labor market has forced courts and regulators to wrestle with the status of participating workers: Are they employees or independent contractors? Mark Shoffner and Thomas Case of Bell Nunnally argue that recent rulings by state and federal agencies make Texas a welcoming place for the gig economy.
Gamer’s Lawsuit Highlights Issues in Esport Player Contracts
Online gaming star "Tfue" recently sued his gaming organization, the FaZe Clan, alleging that his player contract is "grossly oppressive, onerous, and one-sided." What does this lawsuit tell us about the state of esports contracts? Johnathan Jordan of KRCL explains.
Dallas Court of Appeals Issues Rare Majority, Concurring and Dissenting Opinions
The Dallas-based Fifth Court of Appeals issued a remarkable en banc decision this week. It involved majority, concurring and dissenting opinions on a matter of appellate procedure. But more importantly it may be the first significant signal that last year's dramatic election swing is going to have an effect on the direction of the court.
Telemarketers, and Scammers and Robocallers, Oh My!
We’ve arrived at a breaking point: Everyone is receiving robocalls, the laws are not working, legitimate businesses are being ruined by runaway litigation, and, worst of all, virtually no illegal telemarketers, scammers or robocallers are being stopped. Though it is unclear what, if any, law or laws will be passed in the near future, one thing is certain: robocalls are squarely in the crosshairs of the Congress, the FCC and consumers. If and when change comes, will it be enough or will technology once again outpace lawmaking?
Texas Municipalities and Ransomware: Can the Sheriff Surrender to the Outlaw?
Ransomware attacks against government entities are on the rise. Texas municipalities increasingly find themselves between Scylla and Charybdis: pay Bitcoin ransom to cyber-bandits or lose data critical to the basic functions of modern cities. But can a public entity in Texas legally pay a ransom, even if it is the financially responsible thing to do? This article has the details.
Texas Legislature has Productive Session, Thanks to Positive Revenue Picture and Bipartisanship
With a strong economy swelling state coffers and a surprising across-the-aisle consensus on policy priorities, the 86th Texas Legislature was able to tackle some of the state's most pressing needs while making investments in its future. Rafael Anchia and John Turner of Haynes and Boone highlight legislative actions of interest for the business community.