Updates and commentary on legal issues that are important to us and our clients.
Fair competition in the business world often involves converting the clients of your competitors into your clients. If, as is sometimes the case, the client of your competitor is a particularly large client or has some type of ongoing contractual obligations to your competitor, you may be threatened with or face liability for tortious interference….
On June 1, 2015, in the case of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc., the U.S. Supreme Court announced an 8-to-1 decision that could have broad ramifications for employers that are addressing discrimination and accommodation issues. In the case, retailer Abercrombie & Fitch had refused to hire Ms. Elauf, a female…
Last year, we wrote a blog post about our firm’s collaborative efforts with the Dallas-based law firm, Standly Hamilton, LLP, in connection with the William Paul Crisp Jr., et al. v. McDonald’s Corp., et al. case in Brazos County, Texas (the “Crisp v. McDonald’s case”). The May 17, 2015 shootout between rival motorcycle gangs at…
We all deal with administrative agencies on a regular basis, whether it be through renewal of our cars’ yearly registrations, paying taxes, or through receiving and maintaining licensures to engage in certain professions such as medicine or teaching. Conflicts can arise between persons and agencies for a number of reasons, and the correct manner in…
In the summer of 2014, the Supreme Court of Texas issued its decision in Ritchie v. Rupe which substantially changed the shape of shareholder oppression in Texas. Prior to the decision, shareholder oppression was defined in Davis v. Sheerin. In that case, the court held that a minority shareholder would have a claim in the…
When our firm is helping employers craft a separation agreement, we occasionally get asked some version of the following question: “What happens if the employee files for unemployment benefits after receiving the separation pay?” This is a good question, and one that raises a number of thorny issues. It is important to understand the relationship…
What’s a Default Judgment? A default judgment is a judgment entered by a civil court when a defendant does not respond timely to a plaintiff’s lawsuit brought against him. In most civil cases, in order for a response to be considered timely, a defendant must file with the court an answer to the suit by…
There is a common misconception among young adults that estate planning is only for the wealthy or elderly. Unfortunately, accidents happen. The process is important to ensure that a plan is in place in the event of unexpected incapacitation or death. How should your assets be distributed? What life prolonging treatments would you agree or…
Whether you are playing offense or defense in a commercial dispute, it is always wise to take note of any pre-suit demand requirement. Plaintiffs will want to know if they need to send a written demand before suit, and if so, how long they will have to wait before filing suit. Defendants, on the other…
While insurance is often not the most fun issue to deal with, it plays a role in just about every aspect of owning a business.[1] The following is a list of insurance coverages business owners should consider, depending on their particular circumstances: General Liability Insurance Business owners purchase general liability insurance to cover legal hassles…