July/August 2023

The following is a summary of a selected opinion issued by the Supreme Court of Texas in May 2023. The summary is intended as an overview of selected aspects of the opinion only; please review the entire opinion. PERSONAL JURISDICTION: “Dieselgate” auto manufacturers subject to specific personal jurisdiction in Texas, despite contacts with Texas being undifferentiated from those with other

Anecdotal evidence suggests that, when trying to persuade, presenting three concepts is better than presenting two. Or four. Or more. We see examples of memorable, powerful threes in advertising, in literature, and even in the Declaration of Independence: snap, crackle, and pop I came; I saw; I conquered life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Yes, I just gave three

The board of directors of the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association Scholarship Fund, Inc.  had the honor of awarding $2,000 from four separate scholarships to nine remarkable women attending The University of Texas School of Law.  Most of the awardees were able to attend the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association (TCWLA)’s mentor-mentee luncheon, at which Women’s Month was celebrated with

This is the first in a series of eight articles about the Travis County Forensic Mental Health Project. The Travis County Forensic Mental Health Project delivered its recommendations to the Travis County Commissioners in March 2023. The goal of these recommendations is to provide solutions other than jail to address mental health and substance abuse disorders in the county. The project

The Austin Bar Association and the Austin Chapter of the Federal Bar Association jointly hosted a retirement reception for Judge Lee Yeakel of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas—Austin Division.< More than $50,000 was raised. This money will be used to provide scholarships to students at The University of Texas School of Law. Congratulations to Judge

Robynn Fletcher, Anthony “Tony” J. Nelson, and Judge Eric Shepperd were the honorees at the 2023 Austin Black Lawyers Association (ABLA) Andrea Pair Bryant Legacy Luncheon. The trio was honored for their significant contribution the African American legal community: (L-R): ABLA President Ciara Parks with award winners Judge Eric Shepperd, Robynn Fletcher, and Anthony “Tony” J. Nelson. Robynn Fletcher graduated with

Judge Karin Crump, presiding judge of the 250th Civil District Court of Travis County, and David Courreges, past president of the Austin Bar Association and currently serving on the State Bar board of directors, first discussed the idea of an Austin Bar and AYLA Leadership Academy in 2010. The idea took root while Courreges was assisting Judge Crump in her campaign

The Girls Empowerment Network (GEN) has received funding from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Texas Bar Foundation (TBF) to expand its Girl Connect school program to include Texas girls who are involved with the Texas juvenile justice system. Currently, Girl Connect serves girls across 84 program sites throughout Texas, including Austin. Using research-based, trauma-informed techniques, the program… Girls Empowerment

The following are summaries of opinions issued by the Fifth Circuit in May 2023. The summaries are overviews of particular aspects of the opinions; please review the entire opinions. JURISDICTION: In an ancillary action to enforce a settlement agreement, parties could not collaterally challenge jurisdiction in the original proceeding settled and could sue only to enforce the settlement agreement. Nat’l

The fourth Travis County Expunction Expo took place on May 20, 2023. More than 300 applicants had prequalified to have their records expunged. The expo was a joint production of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, the Travis County Attorney’s Office, and the Travis County District Clerk’s Office. Legal services were provided by the Capital Area Private Defender Service, the