VLAP Launches New Volunteer Portal

The Veterans’ Legal Assistance Program is excited to announce the launch of a groundbreaking new pro bono portal, designed to streamline how attorneys connect with veterans and low-income Texans in need of legal assistance.  Initially serving Central Texas, this platform will soon expand to other bar associations and organizations with limited resources. What’s New? This innovative portal offers a range …

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program for Women to Open Next Fall

Originally published by Austin Monitor On Oct 1., the Travis County Commissioners Court approved a $469,559 contract for a residential substance use treatment program for women, using the state’s opioid abatement funds. The contract is the first time an inpatient residential resource has been available in Austin for low-income adults struggling with addiction since Austin Recovery shuttered in August 2020. …

Austin Bar Celebrates Our Veteran Attorneys

In honor of Veteran’s Day, the Austin Bar wishes to thank all of our veteran members.  Dominic Castillo U.S. Air Force Veteran Dominic Castillo served in the U.S. Air Force as an Airman First Class from 2000 to 2002, where he specialized as a munitions systems apprentice focusing on precision guidance munitions. During his service, he earned the National Defense …

Austin Bar Members Deliver Oral Arguments to SCOTX

The Supreme Court of Texas convened Oct. 1-3, 2024, and heard oral arguments from several Austin Bar members. Bertucci v. Watkins Procedure-Appellate – Waiver Steven A. Fleckman  Munck Wilson Mandala  for Petitioner Elizabeth G. “Heidi” Bloch  Greenberg Traurig  for Respondent/Cross-petitioner These cross-petitions raise issues of briefing waiver and whether fiduciary duties are owed among business partners. Bertucci and Watkins founded several …

District & County Court Trial Verdicts November 2024

Editor’s Note: The monthly jury trial verdicts update is first published through Bar Code and the Austin Bar app. Download the app today on either the App Store or the Google Play Store. CIVIL Robert Lindsay Duncan and Molly Duncan v. Estate of Cheryl Wheeler Sanders and Estate of Robert Reed Sanders Cause No: D-1-GN-16-002071 Judge: Amy Clark Meachum, 201st Civil …

Texas Supreme Court Update November 2024

The following are summaries of selected opinions issued by the Texas Supreme Court in September 2024. These summaries are prepared by court staff as a courtesy and are not a substitute for the actual opinions. The summaries are overviews of the opinions; please review the entire opinions. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: Administrative Procedure Act  Tex. Dep’t of State Health Servs. v. Kensington …

Third Court of Appeals Civil Update November 2024

The following are summaries of selected civil opinions issued by the Third Court of Appeals during September 2024. The summaries are an overview; please review the entire opinion. Subsequent histories are current as of October 9, 2024. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: Court affirms where party fails to rebut presumption of sufficient notice of a hearing. St. George Affordable Auto, LLC d/b/a Skyline …

Third Court of Appeals Criminal Update November 2024

The following is a summary of selected criminal opinions issued by the Third Court of Appeals from April 2024. The summary is an overview; please review the entire opinions. The subsequent history is current as of October 3, 2024. EVIDENTIARY SUFFICIENCY – Proving Defendant’s Identity in Probation-Revocation Proceedings. Evidence was sufficient to prove that Defendant who violated probation was the …

Federal Civil Update November 2024

The following are summaries of selected civil opinions issued by the Fifth Circuit in September 2024. The summaries are overviews of particular aspects of the opinions; please review the entire opinions. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: Department of Labor’s minimum salary requirement did not exceed its delegated power to interpret the Fair Labor Standards Act’s “White Collar Exemption.” Mayfield v. United States Department …