The following are summaries of selected civil opinions issued by the Fifth Circuit in May 2024. The summaries are overviews of particular aspects of the opinions; please review the entire opinions. JURISDICTION: Upon removal on the basis of improper joinder, plaintiff may clarify allegations to satisfy federal pleading standards; erroneous finding of improper joinder was not cured prior to judgment, …
Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy Class of 2024 Fundraiser Blends Legal and Literary to Raise Money for Center for Child Protection On May 10, 2024, at the Central Public Library downtown, scores of attorneys, friends, family, and community members gathered for a gala fundraiser in support of the Center for Child Protection (CCP), organized by this year’s Leadership Academy. The Austin …
Emily Morris is corporate counsel at PowerSchool, which develops educational software for school systems. Morris is a graduate of Tulane University Law School and received her bachelor’s in marketing from Louisiana State University. During her time there, she also attended the University of Copenhagen to study international corporate law. Morris is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Texas …
Kudos Congratulations to Melissa Andrews, equity partner at Holland & Knight, on her appointment to the newly created Third Business Court Division in Austin. Andrews previously served as an attorney for Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd and First Court of Appeals Justice Harvey. She is board-certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is …
Editor’s Note: This article was reprinted with permission from the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP). TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call or text TLAP at 1-800-343-TLAP (8527), or find more information at tlaphelps.org. It’s hard to remember a time when I didn’t feel uniquely awful growing up—where I felt …
Mary-Ellen King is a partner at Lucosky Brookman LLP, where her practice focuses primarily on complex insurance coverage litigation, commercial litigation, business litigation, general civil litigation, and real estate litigation. King takes the reins as president of the Austin Bar on July 1, 2024. Austin Lawyer recently interviewed her about her plans for the upcoming bar year. AL: What are …
Austin Bar member Lyndsey Captain Vicknair passed away on June 15, 2024, during a shooting at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. Vicknair was born on Dec. 31, 1990, to Bobby and Lena Captain. She was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, and friend. She is survived by her husband of seven years, Kevin Vicknair, and their young children: …
Recent studies have underscored the pressing mental health concerns facing military veterans, revealing a strong correlation between psychological struggles and the need for legal assistance. Veterans are disproportionately affected by mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, often stemming from their service experiences. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that about 20 percent of veterans who …
One of the great honors that I have had over the past 13 years is to work as the Director of the State Bar’s Advanced Trial Strategies (ATS) course. This elite course, given in New Orleans each February, is designed for lawyers with 20+ years’ experience. Our committee’s aim is to get the best speakers, to bring important information to …
To celebrate Women’s History Month, the Austin Bar Association’s podcast, Council of Firsts, featured the “Ladies of the Austin Bar.” For the first time in history, all top leadership positions in the Austin Bar Foundation, Austin Bar Association, and Austin Young Lawyers Association are held by women, with women waiting in the wings. Amanda Arriaga is the Austin Bar Foundation …