The TLR blog, on the record.

Looking to 2021

The men and women who will serve in the Legislature will face important tasks next year, as the pandemic continues to cast uncertainty over everything from the state budget to the logistics for committee hearings at the Capitol. One thing is certain—the decisions made by legislators in 2021 will have a lasting impact on our state’s economy, job creation and future opportunities for Texas families.

A Vacancy on the Court

Texas judges matter. The decisions they make every day impact some of the most critical issues in our state, from the economy to public safety to our children’s education. Our state needs a judicial selection system that focuses on qualifications and experience, as the Texas Plan does. Our legal system is too important to leave these decisions to partisan political whims.

Pandemic for Profit

As the U.S. continues to deal with the widespread effects of COVID-19, it’s clear no industry is immune to the pandemic’s wrath—including law firms. But do all of these law firms really need to dig into the government wallet?

The Road Back to Business as Usual

While everyone looks forward to the day when we can resume business as usual, we all understand that given the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, its side effects will linger for many years to come. TLR has been working with state and federal leaders to determine if there is a way to give businesses some reassurance that they are not blindly approaching a liability cliff.

TLR Statement on COVID-19 Liability

We are experiencing a devotion to duty and a level of responsibility throughout our society that is inspiring and reminiscent of our national effort during World War II.

Protecting Our Frontlines

Providing Essential Services

"If the freight's there, it's got to move. If people are going to eat, the trucks are gonna move. If they need medical supplies, the trucks are gonna move. If we stop, the world stops." As COVID-19 has proven, that service is more critical now than ever.

Anatomy of a Cottage Industry

Over the past few weeks, we’ve highlighted the phenomenon of nuclear verdicts in Texas, and some of the questionable tactics used by personal injury trial lawyers pursuing trucking litigation in the Lone Star State. While trucking litigation has always existed, it seems a new cottage industry has sprung up in the last several years.

Going Nuclear

You’ve heard of nuclear explosions and the nuclear option. Nuclear verdicts? Maybe not. But as the name implies, we should all be wary of them. The widely accepted definition of a nuclear verdict is one that exceeds $10 million. But if that’s the threshold for nuclear, then Texas is quickly gaining a reputation as the home of the ultra-nuclear verdict in trucking litigation.

Driving Litigation

A Rock and A Hard Place

The nature of our state’s partisan election system requires judges to raise money to run political campaigns to be elected or re-elected to a seat on the bench. Because judicial campaigns are lower profile than other races on the ballot, few voters know about the judges or are willing to make contributions to their campaigns.

The Lone Star State is Alright, Alright, Alright

Texas’ legal system got the late night talk show treatment last week when native Texan and Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey cited Texans’ aversion to abusive lawsuits as one of the reasons why he chooses to live in the Lone Star State.

Finding a Better Way

Texas is facing a fundamental question: should Texans continue to elect its judges, or is it time to move to a different method? Last session, the Texas Legislature created the 15-member Texas Commission on Judicial Selection with the express purpose of answering that question. With last week’s appointments to the commission by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House, the state is poised to take a close look at how we fill seats on our judiciary.

Look No Farther Than Texas

Texas is often considered a national example for lawsuit reforms because—through 25 years of diligent work—we have successfully addressed many of the lawsuit abuses that plague other states. But one person’s example is another’s cautionary tale. At least, that’s what some Louisiana personal injury trial lawyers want you to believe.

What a Nuisance!

Friend of the Court

Amicus curiae is Latin and literally translates to “friend of the court.” These briefs are provided by people who are not party to a lawsuit, but have an interest in its outcome. Amicus briefs are just one way TLR fights to preserve the hard-won lawsuit reforms passed by the Texas Legislature.

Guilty as Charged

The fact that a judge under indictment for accepting bribes can run for higher office and win should be a major red flag for Texans. But unfortunately, many Texans simply don’t have enough knowledge about the candidates for judicial office to make informed decisions. Many voters cast their votes for judges based on party affiliation or name recognition, since they have no knowledge of the relative merits of the candidates.

When a Cottage Industry Backfires

In the past few months, we’ve spoken often about the ubiquitous presence of legal services advertising on the airwaves. In addition to your standard car wreck and mesothelioma ads, ads targeting specific products, medications or medical devices are designed to catch people’s attention and compel them to take action (specifically, to call a lawyer). But recently, there’s been a turn of events in one advertising cottage industry.

A Rare Step in the Right Direction

California has made quite a reputation for itself, and not in a good way. Case in point: the much ballyhooed addition of coffee to California’s recklessly broad Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, known as Proposition 65. The proposition “requires the state to maintain and update a list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.”

Making the Case for Legal Contract Transparency

We all know better than to double dip. It is the epitome of bad manners. Highly frowned upon. And if you’re a county official in Texas, it’s also illegal. But that didn’t stop one county attorney.

That’s a Wrap!

The Legislature adjourned sine die, having accomplished a number of important priorities for Texans, including several important reforms to the legal system. Here’s an update on the status of some of TLR’s key bills.

Legislative Update

We’ve shared with you a number of reforms the Texas Legislature is working on this legislative session to improve our legal system. Now with less than a month to go in the 86th Legislature, we’ve entered the point in session where bills begin moving, and moving quickly.

A Black and White Issue

A lawyer is caught bribing a judge with cash and other gifts in order to secure favorable decisions, such as dismissing criminal charges against the lawyer’s clients. The judge is charged with a federal offense and is awaiting trial, and has been kicked off the bench. And the lawyer? You assume he’s been sent to jail, or at least lost his license to practice law. For one South Texas lawyer, that is not the case.

As Seen on TV

Every day, Texans are inundated with a relentless stream of advertising for legal services. As we’ve discussed before in this blog, personal injury trial lawyer advertising is neither new nor unique to a certain part of the country. If you’re watching TV, it seems these ads are inescapable.