John Council

April 26, 2010 | Texas Lawyer

It has been a rough couple of weeks for two large Texas firms after intermediate appellate courts ruled that they are disqualified from representing clients because of unusual conflict-of-interest allegations. Strasburger's John Spiller (pictured) says the court's majority opinion in the case involving his firm did not suggest how the firm could have avoided a conflict-of-interest issue.

By John Council

11 minute read

August 29, 2011 | Corporate Counsel

In September, the Civil Rules Advisory Committee of the U.S. Judicial Conference will meet in Dallas to consider changing the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on evidence preservation and sanctions related to electronic discovery. As part of the discussion, the committee will consider an exhaustive report prepared by Andrea Kuperman, chief counsel to the rules committee.

By John Council

12 minute read

September 05, 2005 | Texas Lawyer

For years, it has been nearly impossible for in-house counsel at Texas companies to bring whistle-blower suits against their employers, because companies could claim that the attorney-client privilege protected important evidence from disclosure in such litigation. But a recent 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision changes all that.

By John Council

6 minute read

April 20, 2009 | Texas Lawyer

Eight years after the Legislature passed the Texas Fair Defense Act, some lawyers still are not happy with how judges carry out the law, which requires judges quickly to appoint qualified attorneys to represent indigent defendants.

By John Council

8 minute read

November 17, 2008 | Texas Lawyer

The central issue in a recent federal civil-rights suit sounds familiar for criminal-defense lawyers practicing in small towns: Law enforcement officials allegedly are stopping motorists on a highway and seizing their property without legal justification. But, in an atypical twist, the plaintiffs — represented by David Guillory (pictured) — name a district attorney as one of the defendants.

By John Council

9 minute read

September 06, 2005 | Law.com

After Hurricane Katrina's assault on New Orleans, officials at the appeals court were looking for a place to relocate.

By John Council

7 minute read

March 15, 2010 | Texas Lawyer

Gena Slaughter had lots of plans for how she wanted her career to turn out. But life got in the way — several times. "I had one of those weird career paths," Slaughter says. The fall of the Berlin Wall, a serious auto accident, a fateful dinner with a family friend, a pregnancy coinciding with an electoral campaign all shaped her career path. She is judge of the 191st District Court in Dallas County.

By John Council

10 minute read

February 08, 2010 | Texas Lawyer

Let's be honest: A law degree can provide a person with many things, but a chance at romance typically isn't one of them. Eighty-hour workweeks, busy travel schedules and the propensity for arguments can result in automatic strikes against attorneys in the big venire panel of love. In anticipation of Valentine's Day, Texas Lawyer talked to four married lawyer-couples to find out how they came to sign the ultimate contract with each other.

By John Council

17 minute read

October 25, 2010 | Texas Lawyer

A Waco woman has filed a libel suit in a U.S. District Court in Austin, alleging she fears for her life because she was misidentified as a murder witness on the A&E Network's reality series "The First 48." "She is totally misidentified. She has nothing to do with that case," says Vic Feazell (pictured), who represents the plaintiff.

By John Council

3 minute read

September 28, 2007 | Texas Lawyer

The Judicial Council of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Sept. 28 issued an order reprimanding and admonishing U.S. District Judge Samuel B. Kent of Galveston. The order relates to a complaint of judicial misconduct lodged against the judge on May 21 alleging sexual harassment toward an employee of the federal judicial system.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys and John Council

4 minute read