SWB Wins Insurance Coverage for Clients in Federal Court
Congratulations to our firm’s clients, Phil and Susan Swartztrauber, for winning a court order obtaining insurance coverage against Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America. The case was handled by Alex Beard. The Swartztraubers were board members of their Home Owners Association (HOA), and were sued for alleged defamation in…
Saunders, Walsh & Beard sponsors the 1st Annual Hugs Café Celebration and Benefit in McKinney
Saunders, Walsh & Beard was happy to be a sponsor for the First Annual Hugs Café Celebration and Benefit in McKinney this past Saturday. Hugs Cafe, Inc. is a Texas nonprofit organization whose primary goal is to empower Special Needs Adults to change their lives for the better by creating jobs…
Open Board Meetings Under the Texas HOA Laws: Just How “Open” Are They?
Under the Texas homeowners association laws passed several years ago, HOAs are required to make the meetings of their respective boards “open.” But open to who? The public? Can just anyone attend? Can I bring a lawyer? A local news crew?
Recoverability of Attorney’s Fees in Homeowner Association Disputes
A man walked into a lawyer’s office and inquired about the lawyer’s rates. “$50 for 3 questions,” replied the lawyer. “Isn’t that awfully steep?” asked the man. “Yes,” the lawyer replied. “And what was your third question?”
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.
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….”
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…
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…
Don’t “Waive” Goodbye to Your Personal Jurisdiction Challenge
In the law, “waiver” is defined as the voluntary relinquishment of a known right. Lawyers waive defenses and legal argument in courts more often than you might think. Sometimes it’s intentional, and sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it’s the result of the lawyer’s mistake. A lawyer forgets to raise a defense,…
Dallas Court of Appeals Imposes Sanctions for Frivolous Appeal of Special Appearance
In a rare move, the Dallas Court of Appeals has levied sanctions against a party for filing a frivolous appeal of a trial court’s order denying that party’s special appearance. In Estate of Deuel-Nash, 2014 WL 5581044 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2014, n.p.h.), the defendant (Nash) in a probate proceeding…