Overview of 2022 Changes to Texas Lien Law
Changes to Mechanic’s and Materialman’s Liens Law Effective January 1, 2022 Major changes to Chapter 53 of the Texas Property Code go into effect on January 1, 2022. On June 15, 2021, Governor Abbott signed into law House Bill 2237, which makes sweeping changes to the primary source of law…
Texas Lien Law | Mechanic’s and Materialmen’s Liens
Texas Lien Law Mechanic’s and Materialmen’s Liens Mechanic’s and Materialmen’s Liens are legal tools for contractors and suppliers to collect payment for their goods and services. Texas law protects the interests of general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers by providing them with lien rights against construction projects. A lien is a…
Seek Contract Time Extensions | Weather Delays
Seek contract time extensions for weather delays. It is imperative for contractors and subcontractors to be aware of the change order processes in their contracts and follow the correct procedures for seeking an increase in their contract time, especially with the severe weather occurring in Texas this week. Do not…
Texas Mechanic’s and Materialman’s Liens
Texas law protects the interests of general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers by providing them with lien rights against construction projects, but the law is complex and there are many hurdles to overcome in order for a claimant to perfect its lien. Chapter 53 of the Texas Property Code is the…
Can I Sue My Home Builder for Shoddy Workmanship?
Jacob Thomas, a top-rated construction litigation attorney with Saunders, Walsh & Beard, weighs in on residential construction defect claims with Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Mr. Thomas has been recognized as a Texas Rising…
Notice of Nonsuit – An Order is Necessary
Although a Motion for Nonsuit or a Notice of Nonsuit is effective immediately upon filing, there must still be an order formally dismissing the case. Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 162 reads as follows: At any time before the plaintiff has introduced all of his evidence other than rebuttal evidence,…
Decoding Chapter 140 of the CPRC
Chapter 140 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code is intended to limit the subrogation rights of an injured person’s health insurance provider. When this statute was first enacted in 2014, an esteemed personal injury attorney told me that the new law was simple, “Everyone gets a third of…
The Difference between a Rule of Interpretation and a Canon of Construction
One evening, sitting by the fireplace, sipping on a cup of hot coco, I found myself musing on the subject of contract interpretation. I was pondering various active cases and my fading memory of my first year of law school when I had two revelations: 1) I am getting old,…
Thanksgiving Jurisprudence
While few lawyers are filing lawsuits the week before Thanksgiving, the holiday does give rise to some interesting cases. I have compiled a small list of interesting legal entanglements that reference Thanksgiving in one shape or form. Whether you will laugh or cringe, I am not quite sure, but here…
Legal (and Common Sense) Advice for Halloween
With Halloween just around the corner, it seems only fitting that it should be the topic of this week’s blog post. While you are decorating your house, carving your pumpkins, and picking out your costumes, you might not be thinking about avoiding legal entanglements that may result from the celebration. …