Angela Morris

May 18, 2011 |

Until the committee releases its substitute bill, the gauge of public support or opposition comes from the May 16 committee hearing in which 21 people testified on the house's version of H.B. 274. The Senate committee version of the bill may include changes to provisions addressing early dismissal of claims and attorney's fees for defendants in some offer-of-settlement situations.

By Angela Morris

7 minute read

May 24, 2011 |

It took only a few minutes this afternoon for the Texas Senate to pass unanimously a new version of the loser-pays bill, with changes limiting types of suits subject to early dismissal and limiting attorney's fees parties can recover after some rejected settlement offers. Because the Senate version differs from the bill the House passed on May 9, both chambers must now appoint members for a conference committee to negotiate a final version of the loser-pays bill.

By Angela Morris

8 minute read

September 12, 2011 |

The top lawyer at a major U.S. hotel company says his "mantra" at work is that he and his legal colleagues are partners who participate fully in business decisions. Alan Rabinowitz is executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of Accor North America in Carrollton.

By Angela Morris

6 minute read

May 18, 2011 |

The massive bill — 10 sections and more than 100 pages — includes several significant changes would allow courts to conduct business with fewer delays and create uniform rules and definitions for county courts-at-law, according to S.B. 1717. On May 5 it reported out of a House committee with six minor amendments, but the committee has yet to distribute its report. The judicial-overhaul bill could die unless the House races to meet deadlines next week.

By Angela Morris

5 minute read