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John Council

John Council

Senior reporter John Council is a native Texan who covers litigation and appellate courts in his home state. Contact him at [email protected]. On Twitter: @john_council

December 04, 2018 | Litigation Daily

Texas Lawyer Drops $100 Million Lawsuit Against Online Critic Who Called Him 'Nazi'

After the plaintiff and defendant exchanged several profanity-laced emails, a Denton County lawyer has decided to dismiss his $100 million defamation suit against an online critic.

By John Council

4 minute read

November 29, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

40 Media Groups Push For Texas Anti-SLAPP Law to Apply in Federal Litigation

A group of 40 media organizations, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, have filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit urging them to allow civil litigants to use Texas' Anti-SLAPP statute to protect themselves against defamation claims filed in federal—not only state—courts.

By John Council

4 minute read

November 29, 2018 | Litigation Daily

40 Media Organizations Push For Texas Anti-SLAPP Law to Apply in Federal Litigation

A group of 40 media organizations, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, have filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit urging them to allow civil litigants to use Texas' Anti-SLAPP statute to protect themselves against defamation claims filed in federal—not only state—courts.

By John Council

4 minute read

November 28, 2018 | New Jersey Law Journal

Former NJ Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Stealing $125K From Client

Michael Kwasnik pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler and faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

By John Council

2 minute read

November 28, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

Court Approves Will Drafted for Quadriplegic Who Could Only Blink Answers to His Lawyer's Questions

Fort Worth's Second Court of Appeals has validated a will that was drafted by an attorney in an unusual manner—his client was a quadriplegic, unable to speak, and could communicate with the lawyer only by blinking "yes" or "no" to questions.

By John Council

4 minute read

November 27, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

Appellate Lawyer of the Week: Dallas Lawyer's Math on Chain-Reaction Accident Saves Client $1M

Dallas attorney R. Brent Cooper recently took a math question to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on behalf of a primary liability insurer in a dispute over a serious multi-vehicle accident.

By John Council

5 minute read

November 26, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

Houston Lawyer Sues Dutch Government on Behalf of Jewish Art Dealer Heir Seeking Return of Paintings Forcibly Sold to Nazis

While the Nazi regime famously looted Europe of its great works of art during World War II for personal use, Adolf Hitler and his henchmen actually…

By John Council

3 minute read

November 26, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

Texas Lawyers Facebook Group, With 1 Million Interactions, Has Become State's Largest Volunteer Bar Association

“You can press 'send' and literally talk to 11 percent of the lawyers in Texas. It's crazy,'' said Scott Rothenberg, a Houston appellate attorney who participates in the group.

By John Council

6 minute read

November 21, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

Decision Blocking Pay for Special Prosecutors on Ken Paxton Case Upheld on Appeal

The Court of Criminal Appeals has refused to overturn a ruling that's preventing the three Houston attorneys appointed as special prosecutors in the criminal case against Ken Paxton from getting paid.

By John Council

3 minute read

November 20, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

Days Before Thanksgiving, Houston Lawyers Facing Family Crises Win Emergency Stay of Trial

A pair of Houston plaintiffs attorneys recently had to pursue emergency appellate relief to stay an upcoming trial date on the Monday after the holiday. One lawyer recently had a child in the hospital, and the other had a sister in hospice care.

By John Council

3 minute read