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Full-Text Articles in Law

Benign Classification Based On Race Must Be Narrowly Tailored To Achieve A Compelling Governmental Interest., Martha J. Hess Jan 1990

Benign Classification Based On Race Must Be Narrowly Tailored To Achieve A Compelling Governmental Interest., Martha J. Hess

St. Mary's Law Journal

In City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co., the Supreme Court held a minority business utilization plan (Richmond Plan) was violative of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. The Richmond Plan required all builders awarded city construction contracts to subcontract, at minimum, 30% of the contract value to Minority Business Enterprises. A state government enacting legislation that burdens one class of persons and benefits a similarly-situated class must provide sufficient justification for its action to survive equal protection analysis. When distinction is based on race or national origin—classes considered inherently suspect—a reviewing court subjects the governmental legislation to strict scrutiny, …


42 U.S.C. 1981 Does Not Provide A Remedy For Racial Harassment During Employment., Jeffrey A. Lacy Jan 1990

42 U.S.C. 1981 Does Not Provide A Remedy For Racial Harassment During Employment., Jeffrey A. Lacy

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Patterson v. McLean Credit Union, the United States Supreme Court held 42 U.S.C. § 1981 does not provide a remedy for racial harassment during employment. In 1976, in Runyon v. McCrary, the Court expanded the scope of § 1981 to cover private discrimination in contractual settings, including racial discrimination in private schools, when previously unavailable. More than a decade after the Runyon decision, the Supreme Court in Patterson, established that there were limits to § 1981’s applicability in private racial discrimination claims. Specifically, the Court held while § 1981 prohibits discriminatory conduct while entering into or enforcing a contract, …


Personal Injury Actions Under The Dtpa., Paul N. Gold, George (Tex) Quesada Jan 1990

Personal Injury Actions Under The Dtpa., Paul N. Gold, George (Tex) Quesada

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


In Memoriam. Jan 1990

In Memoriam.

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Dedication., Jack Pope Jan 1990

Dedication., Jack Pope

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Raborn V. Davis - Paycheck In Employee's Possession: A Limitation Of The Current Wage Exemption In Texas., Richard E. Flint Jan 1990

Raborn V. Davis - Paycheck In Employee's Possession: A Limitation Of The Current Wage Exemption In Texas., Richard E. Flint

St. Mary's Law Journal

Extensions of credit generally help both the debtor and creditor. However, a result of our credit-based economy is that individuals are free to make poor economic decisions, and that they should suffer the consequences of these poor decisions. Although legal rules have had a role in ensuring that debtors are protected from overzealous creditors, commercial transactions can only exist if obligations of debtors are legally enforceable. The role of government, therefore, is to set parameters for procedures to enforce these obligations, while also setting a floor of protected or exempt assets so that debtors will not become wards of the …


Standards Of Appellate Review In Civil Appeals., W. Wendell Hall Jan 1990

Standards Of Appellate Review In Civil Appeals., W. Wendell Hall

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


The Whole Truth Or Nothing But The Truth - Should Attorneys Who Advertise Be Required To Disclose Prior Disciplinary Actions Taken Against Them., Sara Murray Jan 1990

The Whole Truth Or Nothing But The Truth - Should Attorneys Who Advertise Be Required To Disclose Prior Disciplinary Actions Taken Against Them., Sara Murray

St. Mary's Law Journal

A state should not require attorneys who advertise to disclose all prior disciplinary actions in their advertisements. Attorney advertising, like other forms of commercial speech, is not immune to state regulation. The American public deserves access to accurate information about legal services, and lawyers have a duty to provide such information. However, attorneys and all other citizens have a constitutional right not to speak. A state must balance the competing interests carefully when the public’s right to know clashes with an individual’s right not to speak. There are several arguments against requiring attorneys to disclose all prior disciplinary actions in …


Is Lemon A Lemon - Crosscurrents In Contemporary Establishment Clause Jurisprudence., Stuart W. Bowen Jr. Jan 1990

Is Lemon A Lemon - Crosscurrents In Contemporary Establishment Clause Jurisprudence., Stuart W. Bowen Jr.

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.


An Employer Cannot Avoid Its Obligation To Contribute To An Employee-At-Will's Pension Plan By Terminating The Employee., Carol Jendrzey Jan 1990

An Employer Cannot Avoid Its Obligation To Contribute To An Employee-At-Will's Pension Plan By Terminating The Employee., Carol Jendrzey

St. Mary's Law Journal

In McClendon v. Ingersoll-Rand Co., the Texas Supreme Court held an employer cannot avoid its obligation to contribute to an employee-at-will’s pension plan by terminating the employee. A minority of jurisdictions recognize an implied contract exception to the employment-at-will doctrine allowing termination only with cause. In these jurisdictions, employers who raise the defense of statute of frauds because there is no written employment contract may be defeated by the terms of employment articulated in employee handbooks and manuals. Though both the legislatures and the courts recognize a public policy interest in protecting employee pension plans, the United States Supreme Court …


Digital Audio Recording Technology: Challenges To American Copyright Law., Douglas Reid Weimer Jan 1990

Digital Audio Recording Technology: Challenges To American Copyright Law., Douglas Reid Weimer

St. Mary's Law Journal

This Article discusses the objectives of American copyright law, its development and its current day codification. The inception of digital audio recording technology (“DAT”) raises new challenges for American copyright law. American copyright is a constitutionally sanctioned and legislatively accorded form of protection for authors against the unauthorized copyright of their “original works of authorship.” A significant copyright issue is the ability of DAT to reproduce nearly perfect copies of copyrighted musical works. This Article further discusses certain aspects of copyright law, such as the fair use defense and the concept of “home” for the purposes of copyright protection. The …


The Stagnation Of Texas Ground Water Law: A Political V. Environmental Stalemate., Karen H. Norris Jan 1990

The Stagnation Of Texas Ground Water Law: A Political V. Environmental Stalemate., Karen H. Norris

St. Mary's Law Journal

The rapidly increasing Texas population coupled with the scarcity of water resources has created an urgent need for regulation of ground water pumpage. The extraction of ground water in Texas remains largely unregulated. Texas landowners, by virtue of their surface ownership, have property rights in all underlying ground water. As such, Texas landowners have the right to unlimited pumpage of the ground water beneath their land. Texas landowners have jealously guarded this right at the expense of our environment and future water resources. The Texas legislature created conservative underground water districts to help preserve water resources. However, the limited scope …


Punitive Damages For Breach Of Contract - A Principled Approach., Frank J. Cavico Jr. Jan 1990

Punitive Damages For Breach Of Contract - A Principled Approach., Frank J. Cavico Jr.

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.


Allowing A Child Abuse Victim To Testify Via One-Way Closed-Circuit Television Does Not Violate A Criminal Defendant's Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause Right If The Trial Court Specifically Finds Such A Procedure Necessary To Protect The Child's Welfare., Lisa R. Miller Jan 1990

Allowing A Child Abuse Victim To Testify Via One-Way Closed-Circuit Television Does Not Violate A Criminal Defendant's Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause Right If The Trial Court Specifically Finds Such A Procedure Necessary To Protect The Child's Welfare., Lisa R. Miller

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Maryland v. Craig, the Supreme Court held allowing child abuse victims to testify via one-way closed-circuit television does not violate a criminal defendant’s Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause right if the trial court finds the procedure necessary to protect the child’s welfare. Although “confront” has generally been interpreted to mean “face-to-face,” on occasion, it may yield to public policy considerations and the compelling necessities of particular cases. The original purpose of the confrontation right was to prevent the accusers in a criminal proceeding from using ex parte affidavits or depositions against a defendant, in lieu of personal testimony. The Craig …


Protecting The Fetus From Maternal Drug And Alcohol Abuse: A Proposal For Texas., Tom Rickhoff, Curtis L. Cukjati Jan 1990

Protecting The Fetus From Maternal Drug And Alcohol Abuse: A Proposal For Texas., Tom Rickhoff, Curtis L. Cukjati

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.


You Should See Your Irs File: Access To Irs Information - What Are A Taxpayer's Rights., Richard J. Wood Jan 1990

You Should See Your Irs File: Access To Irs Information - What Are A Taxpayer's Rights., Richard J. Wood

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.


Estate Planning For The Non-Taxable Estate., Mcken V. Carrington Jan 1990

Estate Planning For The Non-Taxable Estate., Mcken V. Carrington

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.


Government Regulations Authorizing M.Andatory Alcohol And Drug Testing Of Private Railroad Employees On Less Than Individualized Suspicion To Enhance Safety Are Constitutional, Keith Dorsett Jan 1990

Government Regulations Authorizing M.Andatory Alcohol And Drug Testing Of Private Railroad Employees On Less Than Individualized Suspicion To Enhance Safety Are Constitutional, Keith Dorsett

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.


Lust - Deep In The Heart Of Texas: Federal Epa Regulations Affecting Underground Storage Tanks - The Texas Statutory And Regulatory Counterparts., Blaine D. Edwards Jan 1990

Lust - Deep In The Heart Of Texas: Federal Epa Regulations Affecting Underground Storage Tanks - The Texas Statutory And Regulatory Counterparts., Blaine D. Edwards

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.


Recognizing An Implied Warranty That Professional Services Will Be Performed In A Good And Workmanlike Manner., Mark L. Kincaid Jan 1990

Recognizing An Implied Warranty That Professional Services Will Be Performed In A Good And Workmanlike Manner., Mark L. Kincaid

St. Mary's Law Journal

Although the Court received a deluge of amicus curiae briefs after its initial ruling in Melody Home ushering the Court to reevaluate the consequences of its decision, there is no sound basis for excluding professional services from the implied warranty recognized by the Texas Supreme Court that services will be performed in a good and workmanlike manner. The issue of what is properly considered a “professional” service or what definition is to be applied to distinguish “non-professional” and “professional” services if the latter were to be excluded from the implied warranty. Instead of differentiating between “non-professional” and “professional” services in …


1989 Texas Dtpa Reform: Closing The Dtpa Loophole In The 1987 Tort Reform Laws And The Ongoing Quest For Fairer Dtpa Laws., John T. Montford, Will G. Barber, Robert L. Duncan Jan 1990

1989 Texas Dtpa Reform: Closing The Dtpa Loophole In The 1987 Tort Reform Laws And The Ongoing Quest For Fairer Dtpa Laws., John T. Montford, Will G. Barber, Robert L. Duncan

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Texas Disciplinary Rules Of Professional Conduct: Additional Liability For Texas Lawyers., Xavier G. Medina, Virginia Coyle Jan 1990

Texas Disciplinary Rules Of Professional Conduct: Additional Liability For Texas Lawyers., Xavier G. Medina, Virginia Coyle

St. Mary's Law Journal

As a result of the enactment of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (“Rules”), Texas lawyer no longer practice under guidelines which include aspirational goals and discretionary moral choices. The Rules are mandatory in nature and depict a minimum standard of professional conduct which, if violated, could subject the offending lawyer to disciplinary action. Although the Rules provide a disclaimer stating that they “do not undertake to define standards of civil liability of lawyers for professional conduct,” Texas lawyers fear the Rules will be utilized as an independent basis for liability, or a standard of care for malpractice. The …


Dedication., Orville C. Walker Jan 1990

Dedication., Orville C. Walker

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Dedication., James P. White Jan 1990

Dedication., James P. White

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Dedication., Editorial Board St. Mary's School Of Law Jan 1990

Dedication., Editorial Board St. Mary's School Of Law

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


The Original Intent Of The Education Article Of The Texas Constitution., Mikal Watts, Brad Rockwell Jan 1990

The Original Intent Of The Education Article Of The Texas Constitution., Mikal Watts, Brad Rockwell

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Commanding Respect: Criminal Sanctions For Environmental Crimes., Eva M. Fromm Jan 1990

Commanding Respect: Criminal Sanctions For Environmental Crimes., Eva M. Fromm

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Texas' New Trademark Antidilution Statute - Useful Or Useless New Protection For Texas Trademarks., Richard Taylor Jan 1990

Texas' New Trademark Antidilution Statute - Useful Or Useless New Protection For Texas Trademarks., Richard Taylor

St. Mary's Law Journal

Texas courts must set forth clear and concise guidelines for trademark antidilution enforcement. The adoption of a trademark antidilution statute substantially alters Texas trademark law. The statute allows a trademark owner to enjoin acts which dilute a registered or common law trademark’s distinctive quality. It applies whether competition exists between the parties or a likelihood of confusion exists as to the owner of the mark. The statute adds a new dimension to trademark protection in Texas because it creates a property interest in the trademark. As promising as these protections sound, the new antidilution statute may prove ineffective due to …


Nonparties To Employment Discrimination Consent Decrees May Attack, In A Collateral Lawsuit, Decisions Made Pursuant To The Decrees., Michael T. Larkin Jan 1990

Nonparties To Employment Discrimination Consent Decrees May Attack, In A Collateral Lawsuit, Decisions Made Pursuant To The Decrees., Michael T. Larkin

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Martin v. Wilks, the United States Supreme Court held nonparties to employment discrimination consent decrees may attack, in a collateral lawsuit, decisions made pursuant to the decrees. A consent decree is a voluntary judgment between parties which facilitates settlement of litigation by providing one party with equitable relief. Courts retain jurisdiction over parties to a consent decree, and they can issue contempt orders to parties violating the terms of the decree. Unlike judgments, the parties cannot challenge the consent decrees, except in limited circumstances. Recently, federal courts have widened the scope of preclusion law by defining the term “claim” …


Limitation Of Liability Of Limited Partners While Affording Control Of Partnership Affairs To Limited Partners., Kenneth L. Bennight Jr., Troy (Trey) S. Martin Iii Jan 1990

Limitation Of Liability Of Limited Partners While Affording Control Of Partnership Affairs To Limited Partners., Kenneth L. Bennight Jr., Troy (Trey) S. Martin Iii

St. Mary's Law Journal

This article examines the liability provisions of the Texas Revised Act Section 3.03 and compares it with other uniform limited partnership acts. It attempts to ascertain the amount of control a limited partner can exercise over the partnership without risking unlimited liability as a general partner. Limited partners invest capital and share in the profits of the business, but their liability is limited to the amount of capital they invest. If the limited partners exercise control over the business, however, the limited partners may forfeit their limited liability and become liable as general partners. In the last century, the law …