Third Court of Appeals Criminal Update

The following is a summary of a selected criminal opinion issued by the Third Court of Appeals from November 2024. The summary is an overview; please review the entire opinion. The subsequent history is current as of April 4, 2025. CHARGING INSTRUMENTS: sufficient notice of allegations: Trial court abused its disc… To view the rest of this article, please log …

Third Court of Appeals Civil Update May 2025

The following are summaries of selected civil opinions issued by the Third Court of Appeals during March 2025. The summaries are an overview; please review the entire opinion. Subsequent histories are current as of April 9, 2025.  ORIGINAL PROCEEDING: Court grants mandamus relief from denial of motion for continua… To view the rest of this article, please log into your …

Federal Civil Update May 2025

The following are summaries of selected civil opinions issued by the Fifth Circuit in March 2025. The summaries are overviews of particular aspects of the opinions; please review the entire opinions.  APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Timely notice of appeal designating only order denying reconsideration allows appeal of in… To view the rest of this article, please log into your account if you’ve …

The Healing Power of Sound Baths: A Guide for Attorneys

Rachel Seshan began her career in litigation focusing on commercial and construction litigation for diverse clients from banks to developers and general contractors. This experience laid a solid foundation for her current practice: utility law. Rachel is an enforcement attorney for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, focusing on electric industry.  The term woo-woo is defined as “dubiously or outlandishly mystical, supernatural, or …

A Few Tips I’ve Learned as AYLA President

Being a Taurus, spring has always been my favorite season. As I write this column, the wildflowers are out in full force with bluebonnets leading the charge. It is a season of renewal, growth, and a push to finish projects that need to wrap before summer sets in. AYLA has enjoyed a busy spring full of inspiring CLEs, service projects, …

How I Stay Sober as a Lawyer in Recovery

When I got sober on July 26, 2010, I had no intention of staying sober, or even of living past the age of 25. At the time, I was 22 years old, homeless, and very much lost in the chaos of addiction. My story isn’t unique. Millions of people are suffering from substance use disorder in our country right now, …

Jimmy Vaught Law Firm Merges with Eggleston Law Firm

Austin, TX – April 15, 2025 – On June 1, 2025, The Vaught Law Firm, led by renowned family law attorney Jimmy Vaught, is excited to announce its merger with The Eggleston Law Firm, a distinguished family law practice in Austin. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the quality of legal services provided to clients and expand the firm’s reach …

William Lachowsky Named Partner at Coldwell Bowes

Congratulations to Austin Bar member William Lachowsky, who has been named partner at Coldwell Bowes. William has been at the firm since 2018 and has been named to the Super Lawyers “Rising Star” list in Texas Monthly for the last six years. William has extensive experience handling divorces, marital property agreements, complex property division, child custody disputes, modifications, enforcements, SAPCRs, …