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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

November 07, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

'Blue Wave' Hits Texas Judiciary as Democrats Win Seats on Four Appellate Courts

While Democrats failed to elect a single candidate to statewide office in Texas in yesterday's 2018 general election, a blue wave did manage to hit the state hard in crucial down-ballot races, as Democrats won every single seat up for grabs on four of its most influential intermediate appellate courts.

By John Council

6 minute read

November 06, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

Transgender Woman Sues Dallas Sheriff, Claiming Forced Exposure During Jail Booking

A transgender woman has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against several officials with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department after she was allegedly forced to expose her genitals while being booked in to jail and on two other occasions housed with male inmates.

By John Council

4 minute read

November 06, 2018 | Litigation Daily

Transgender Woman Sues Dallas Sheriff over Forced Exposure During Jail Booking

A transgender woman has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against several officials with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department after she was allegedly forced to expose her genitals while being booked in to jail and on two other occasions housed with male inmates.

By John Council

4 minute read

November 05, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

$460,000 Legal Malpractice Arbitration Award Against Houston Law Firm, 2 Attorneys Upheld

Beaumont's Ninth Court of Appeals has refused to void a $460,000 legal malpractice arbitration award against a Houston law firm and two attorneys after they alleged the arbitrator failed to follow Texas law.

By John Council

4 minute read

November 02, 2018 | National Law Journal

Trump's Request to Stay Emoluments Litigation Rejected

“The President had not satisfied the several criteria for certification of the issues that concern him,” U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte wrote.

By John Council

4 minute read

November 02, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

5th Circuit Won't Revisit Voiding of Louisiana Law Against Threats to Public Officials

The decision, "Seals v. McBee," focuses on Louisiana statute §14:122, which criminalizes “the use of violence, force, or threats” on any public officer or employee with the intent to influence the officer's conduct in relation to his or her position.

By John Council

3 minute read

October 31, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

Clark Hill Strasburger and Dan Butcher Win Diversity Award

Clark Hill Strasburger and its Dallas member Dan Butcher were recently honored with the "Compass Award" by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity for their support of career advancement of diverse attorneys within the law firm.

By John Council

2 minute read

October 30, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

Texas Lawyer Beats Police at Fifth Circuit After Her Alleged False Arrest

It should have been a simple inquiry over a minor incident. But the police encounter with Connie Westfall, a partner and environmental lawyer with Clark Hill, escalated quickly.

By John Council

8 minute read

October 30, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

Litigator of the Week: El Paso Lawyer Wins $2.5M Verdict in Exploding Tire Case

Sam Legate recently convinced an Arkansas state jury that his independent tire shop owner client Michael R. Snyder did nothing wrong when a Chinese-made tire exploded on him during the mounting process, winning him $2.5 million in damages.

By John Council

4 minute read

October 26, 2018 | Texas Lawyer

5th Circuit Rejects Disabled Plaintiffs' ADA Claims Over Plasma Donations

It's a ruling contrary to one reached on the same issue in a different federal appeals court two years ago, the decision noted.

By John Council

4 minute read