John Council

May 10, 2004 | Texas Lawyer

Gary M. Lavergne does a good job explaining the relevance of Abdelkrim Belachheb Belachheb who killed six people in a Dallas nightclub in 1984 and his impact on the Texas Penal Code.

By John Council

6 minute read

April 19, 2002 | Texas Lawyer

The Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, the group known for aggressively cracking down on self-help legal publishers and captive insurance law firms, did the unthinkable last week - they settled a declaratory judgment action. In an unusual turn of events, the normally unyielding UPLC agreed on April 15 to stop investigation into the propriety of four independent companies that identify class-action members and help them, for a fee, to file claims to collect from a nationwide settlement.

By JOHN COUNCIL

4 minute read

June 14, 1999 | Law.com

It appeared to be an innocuous bill aimed at ensuring indigent criminal defendants are appointed capable attorneys in a timely manner. But when Texas trial judges got a look at a heavily amended bill passed late in the state's legislative session, it caused a judicial uproar. The bill strips trial judges of broad powers to appoint attorneys for poor people in jail. The judges have turned to Gov. George W. Bush, urging him to veto the legislation, between presidential campaign whistlestops.

By John Council

6 minute read

May 24, 2010 | Law.com

A Dallas County jury awarded former Baron & Budd lawyer Gary Cruciani $8.8 million in damages last week after jurors found that firm founder Russell Budd and his firm made negligent misrepresentations to Cruciani -- but did not commit fraud -- when they hired him in 2006.

By John Council

4 minute read

December 29, 2003 | Texas Lawyer

Addressing a common occurrence in tort litigation, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Dec. 17 that employee benefit plans are entitled to fully recover payments made to plan members who subsequently win money by suing third-party tortfeasers.

By John Council

6 minute read

November 08, 2010 | Texas Lawyer

After a bitter six-week trial that resulted in an $8.8 million plaintiff's verdict, plaintiff Gary Cruciani (pictured above, right, with his lawyer, Jim Hartnett Jr.) and defendants Baron & Budd and Russell Budd settled the contentious litigation.

By john Council

4 minute read

March 21, 2011 | Texas Lawyer

There was a time when civil-defense lawyers in Texas advocated for tort reform because of the benefit to their clients. But as the Texas Legislature considers once again altering the civil justice system, many are changing their minds about the need for more reform. TADC president Keith O'Connell (pictured) says it's time to stop altering civil laws so they favor one party in a suit.

By John Council

7 minute read

May 07, 2010 | Law.com

In recognition of Mother's Day, Texas Lawyer spoke with several attorneys about how their mothers made them who they are today. One mom raised five lawyers among her nine children, and another mom graduated second in her law school class while her daughter was in grade school.

By John Council and Mary Alice Robbins

24 minute read

March 29, 2002 | Law.com

As any Washington, D.C., insider will tell you, this is not the best time to be an elected official with connections to the sinking Enron Corp. Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen is finding that out. Owen is entering the political fray as she seeks confirmation to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. She can expect a thorough audit of her background during a congressional nomination hearing, including questions about an opinion she wrote in 1996 that favored the controversial energy trading co

By JOHN COUNCIL

9 minute read

June 02, 2003 | Law.com

Tonight, Dallas criminal defense lawyer Rob Campos will become NBC's newest reality TV star, thanks to the debut of "For Love or Money," a series about 15 women vying for the affections of a handsome bachelor -- Campos. What Campos didn't know is that the woman he would choose would also win $1 million. Campos spoke to Texas Lawyer about the TV experience, his law practice and his new-found fame.

By John Council

6 minute read