Talking to the Jury: What Can and Cannot be Said
I have prepared a number of voir dires, opening statements and closing arguments. During my preparations, I always have a moment when I stop and say to myself, “What are the rules? What might I say in passing that would create reversible error?”
Does a Policyholder Have a Right to Select Independent Counsel To Represent It When the Insurance Company Reserves Its Rights?
Most liability insurance policies – whether they be commercial general liability, business owners, errors and omissions, homeowners or auto – require the insurance company to defend the policyholder against lawsuits where the plaintiff is seeking damages potentially covered by the insurance policy.
Top 5 Reasons Why I Love Being a Lawyer
In just about every publication aimed at the legal profession there will be an article about the joys of being a lawyer. In such articles, the lawyer will often tell a story about his or her humble beginnings and how, through hard work and determination, they were able to complete…
Attention all Homeowners Associations: Are You Compliant?
“HOA’s need to be aware of these new laws, however, because a failure to follow them can prevent the HOA from exercising its rights….”
Forbes Selects Saunders, Walsh & Beard as a Top Law Firm
We are pleased to announce that Saunders, Walsh & Beard has been chosen by Forbes as a member of the inaugural Legal Black Book. The Forbes Legal Black Book is comprised of “elite law firms recognized for providing critical legal services.” Selection is based on a firm’s “track record of…
Written Discovery: Mad Max and the Thunderdome
Picture the Thunderdome. A shadow filed, iron caged, dome with a dirt floor the color of rust from recently spilled blood. The moving shadows are created by the post-apocalyptic spectators hanging along the outside of the cage, clad in various leather costumes with open sores oozing puss. You are Mad…
Attention All Social Hosts: Make Sure It’s A Happy New Year
Throwing a holiday party this year in your home? Having guests over where alcohol will be served? If so, then you know it’s always possible that someone is going to drink too much. And you know things can get out of hand if that occurs. Now you’ll probably get over…
Insurance for Legal Marijuana-Related Businesses: A Budding New Industry
My grandmother was always fond of saying “The whole world is going to pot.” Little did she know how prophetic those words might be someday.
What is Quo Warranto?
Over the course of the past two months I have randomly come across the phrase quo warranto. The first time was the in the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Part VII, sec. 7) and the second time was in the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code (§§66.001 et seq.). I…
Happy Thanks – taking!
Ah, the holidays. Tis the season of giving. But for many lawyers and their clients, giving is not on their minds. The client has been wronged and wants justice. But the wheels of justice often turn very slowly, especially around the holidays. The client wants results, but there is nothing…