13 April

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Search that parallels PACER

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The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), which was designed to facilitate and improve electronic public access to court information on a Federal level, is sparking similar innovations in Texas with the recently unveiled re:Search TX platform. While it is not yet available to the public or many attorneys in Texas, the database will allow access to civil case records in all 254 Texas counties for attorneys of record on that specific case. Access is currently limited to clerks, state and county judges, as well as a handful of attorneys. Of course, in this day and age, the scrutiny over...

27 March

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“Kaboom” Went The Laptop!

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in Uncategorized

Lithium batteries have gotten a bad rap over the last several years with modern day technology such as hover boards and cellphones catching on fire due to overheated batteries. Unfortunately, that reputation doesn’t seem to be improving based on a recent account of the battery fires now extending to laptops. Although Dell found the battery involved in the recent laptop fire to not be an authentic Dell battery based on their own thorough investigation, the chilling video of the laptop catching fire captured by a home surveillance camera, does continue to raise eyebrows on the issue. Many wonder, and are exploring,...

20 March

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PSA on Distracted Driving PSA

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in Cell Phones

Cell phones are amazing devices that keep us connected to just about anyone and anything. But when people try to do more than just drive while behind the wheel, a simple call or text can result in devastating consequences. According to the NSC, “There is no safe way to use a cell phone while driving – even hands free. Distracted driving takes many forms, but cell phone use is at the top. Research shows the brain remains distracted for 27 seconds after dialing, changing music or sending a text using voice commands. Almost everyone has seen a driver distracted by a...

13 March

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Truth in Adverstising

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in Advertising

As attorneys, we, of all people, know that anything you say can be put under a microscope and scrutinized to any number of standards. It can also land you in some extremely hot water if what you say does not pass the litmus test of truth. Just like there are rules in place to keep a soda company from claiming to cure cancer, a similar set of rules are in place for lawyers and law firms who practice in the state of Texas, under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. Founding Attorney, Michael Cowen, served on the committee involved with...

24 February

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CASE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

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in Uncategorized

Is one of your new year’s resolutions to consider a case management software program for your law firm? Transitioning from paper files to a case management program can be a big undertaking. For some firms, sticking to paper files makes the most sense. And for others, making the leap is one of the best decisions they’ll ever make. Here are a few things to think about when trying to decide if a case management software program is a good idea for your firm. 1.Emails Take a moment and think about how you save emails regarding a case. What happens if an...

10 February

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TAKATA TO PAY $1 BILLION IN PENALTIES

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in Uncategorized

In recent weeks, Takata has started to deal with the legal ramifications of their airbag recall, the largest automotive recall in U.S. history. Three former executives (Shinichi Tanaka, Hideo Nakajima, and Tsuneo Chikaraishi) at Takata have now been indicted due to the recall, the company has plead guilty to criminal charges, and they will be paying $1 billion dollars in fines and restitution. So where does this $1 billion dollar fine go? Here is the breakdown: $850 million will go to the automakers who have had to recall cars to replace the airbags. $125 million will be used to compensate the...

18 January

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5 Great Interview Questions…

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in Uncategorized

Businesses usually don’t hire during the holidays, but in the beginning of the year the job market picks back up. The following five questions could help both employer and applicant have a successful interview. 1.) How do you determine what your top priorities are for the day or for the week? – In the legal industry we are often deadline driven and have to trust our staff to manage their time wisely. The answer to this question helps us understand the thought process a potential new employee goes through in deciding what takes precedence. 2.) Tell me about a time when you...

18 December

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Women in Law

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in Uncategorized

A lot has changed in the legal industry for women in the past 10 years. But have you ever wondered just how much it has changed? According to the American Bar Association, back in 2006 women represented only 30.2% of the legal profession. But as of May 2016, women now represent 36% of the legal profession! In Texas women made up 30% of the state bar in 2005, then in 2015 this number increased to 35%. That is a 47% change from only 23,226 female attorneys in 2005 to 34,112 in 2015. So what can we expect from the future of women in...

18 November

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Focus Groups 101

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in Uncategorized

Our office firmly believes in the benefits of using a focus group and we do this on a monthly basis for our cases. We are often asked by other attorneys about how to conduct focus groups, so here are three things to consider if you are interested in conducting your own. 1.) Determine the purpose of your focus group – Focus groups are great to use in a variety of ways. You could use a focus group to determine the value of a case. You could use a focus group to practice an opening statement. Maybe you use a focus group...

03 October

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October is National Bullying Prevention Month

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in Press Release

October 3, 2016 | Blue Shirt World Day of Bullying Prevention Week of October 10th | Make a New Friend at School Week of October 17th | Stand Up for Others Week of October 24th | Share the Message and STOMP Out Bullying for good! Find out more ways to celebrate online at www.StompOutBullying.org. Each year in October, organizations and individuals speak out against bullying and the cultures and systems that allow it to thrive. As we build awareness and join together, this ongoing problem can be minimized tremendously year over year until it’s finally stopped altogether. With juveniles, bullies are 30% more likely to carry...