The inauguration of a new presidential administration often heralds a wave of executive orders and policy shifts, and the first month of the current administration has been no exception. The new administration’s immigration policies signal heightened scrutiny of visa issuance, trade-related work authorizations, and enforcement actions. Employers—particularly those navigating cross-border mobility, corporate compliance, and workforce planning—must prepare for potential travel …
CIVIL/FAMILY CAUSE NO.: D-1-GN-23-002369; DENA SESSIONS v. ABBY ARGO, CHAMPAGNE CAMPAIGN, LLC; AMAZING REALTY, LLC, JACOB SOLIZ, GENA CARTER; KW ATX BROKER, LLC JUDGE: MAYA GUERRA GAMBLE DATES: Feb. 10 – 18, 2025 ATTORNEYS: Plaintiff: R. Alex Conant/Walter Williams/Hayden Prosise, Amini & Conant, LLP (Austin) Defendant: Kevin F. Lee, Thompson Coe Cousins & Irons, LLP (Austin) SUMMARY: This case arises from …
The following is a summary of selected criminal opinions issued by the Third Court of Appeals from October 2024. The summary is an overview; please review the entire opinions. The subsequent history is current as of March 7, 2024. JURY SELECTION – LIMITATIONS ON QUESTIONING: Trial court did not abuse its discretion by prohibiting defense counsel’s questions to panel regarding …
The following are summaries of selected civil opinions issued by the Third Court of Appeals during February 2025. The summaries are an overview; please review the entire opinion. Subsequent histories are current as of March 7, 2025. ATTORNEY’S FEES: Court reduces fee awarded in contingent-fee lawsuit. CCR Roofing, LLC v. Garner, No. 03-23-00506-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Feb. 5, 2025, no pet. …
The following are summaries of selected civil opinions issued by the Fifth Circuit in February 2025. The summaries are overviews of particular aspects of the opinions; please review the entire opinions. Editor’s Note: This is Jason LaFond’s final Federal Civil Update for Austin Lawyer. We sincerely appreciate his insight and tireless work in keeping our members updated on federal issues. …
The following are summaries of selected civil opinions issued by the Fifth Circuit in January 2025. The summaries are overviews of particular aspects of the opinions; please review the entire opinions. APPELLATE PROCEDURE: 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b) did not permit interlocutory review of pretrial ruling on proper measure of damages. Silverthorne Seismic v. Sterling Seismic Services, 125 F.4th 593 (5th Cir. …
The following are summaries of selected civil opinions issued by the Third Court of Appeals during January 2025. The summaries are an overview; please review the entire opinion. Subsequent histories are current as of February 10, 2025. ARBITRATION: Court reverses trial court’s failure to enforce arbitration clause. Design Tech Homes of Tex., LLC v. Siemens, No. 03-23-00735-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Jan. …
EVIDENCE ADMISSIBILITY – BREACH OF COMPUTER SECURITY: Evidence found on defendant’s phone by defendant’s wife was inadmissible. State v. Holloway, ___ S.W.3d ___, No. 03-23-00423-CR (Tex. App.—Austin July 26, 2024, no pet.) (designated for publication). Holloway was charged with aggravated sexual assault. Evidence of an extraneous offense was found on Holloway’s phone by his wife. She found the evidence by …
The University of Texas School of Law’s William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law and the Civil Rights Clinic released a report recommending changes to Texas’ parole system. Parole reform is needed, the authors argue, because the state has become over-reliant on incarceration: Texas has a prison population of 130,000–the most in the country.1 Further, in 2024, the Texas …
This article provides an update for local lawyers on the new Fifteenth Court of Appeals. Historical Foundation The creation of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals marks a milestone in Texas’ judicial evolution. The foundations of our appellate system date back to 1891 when a constitutional amendment established the Texas Supreme Court as the highest court for civil matters and invited …