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Full-Text Articles in Environmental Law

Chapters In The History Of The Supreme Court Of Texas: Reconstruction And Redemption (1866-1882)., Hans W. Baade Jan 2008

Chapters In The History Of The Supreme Court Of Texas: Reconstruction And Redemption (1866-1882)., Hans W. Baade

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


It's About Time: The Need For A Uniform Approach To Using A Prior Conviction To Impact A Witness., Robert F. Holland Jan 2008

It's About Time: The Need For A Uniform Approach To Using A Prior Conviction To Impact A Witness., Robert F. Holland

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Texas, no uniform approach exists in determining whether to admit evidence of a prior conviction as a technique to impeach a witness. This lack of uniformity leads to significant consequences for the parties and poses a potential prejudicial effect on the truthful character of a witness. Furthermore, there is currently no bright-line judicial standard when evaluating the admissibility of certain prior convictions. Although the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Theus v. State provided a non-exhaustive set of factors for trial judges to consider, the court has yet to clarify particular aspects of how to properly apply Texas Rule …


On The Trail To Increased Client Protection: Attorney Contingent Fee Contract Termination In Light Of Hoover V. Walton Recent Development., Tiffanie S. Clausewitz Jan 2008

On The Trail To Increased Client Protection: Attorney Contingent Fee Contract Termination In Light Of Hoover V. Walton Recent Development., Tiffanie S. Clausewitz

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Assault Upon The Citadel Of Privity: The Coexistence Of Strict, Privity And Belt V. Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & (And) Tate, Inc. Comment., C. John Muller Iv Jan 2008

Assault Upon The Citadel Of Privity: The Coexistence Of Strict, Privity And Belt V. Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & (And) Tate, Inc. Comment., C. John Muller Iv

St. Mary's Law Journal

The practicing attorney must have a complete understanding of legal malpractice liability. Managing this risk can be a precarious responsibility when the law is not clearly defined. This is compounded by the steady erosion of attorney-client privity barriers making it easier for third party non-clients to sue lawyers for legal malpractice. This is the current state of matters in Texas since the Texas Supreme Court decided Belt v. Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & Tate, Inc. on May 5, 2006. The Belt court determined personal representatives of an estate may bring a malpractice claim against the decedent’s attorneys. The Belt court was …


Surreptitious Recording By Attorneys: Is It Ethical., Carol M. Bast Jan 2008

Surreptitious Recording By Attorneys: Is It Ethical., Carol M. Bast

St. Mary's Law Journal

Ethical rules generally set forth commonly held ethics principles in broad terms which usually generate little debate. What has generated a great deal of debate is whether it is ethical for an attorney to record a conversation. The American Bar Association’s (ABA) view of the issue has shifted over the years. Originally, the practice was held to be unethical except for certain well-defined exceptions involving government attorneys. The 2001 ABA opinion officially withdrew the original opinion allowing attorneys to secretly record a conversation with a non-client where it is not illegal. States’ opinions as to whether conversation recording is ethical …


Ethical Plea Bargaining Under The Texas Disciplinary Rules Of Professional Conduct., Edward L. Wilkinson Jan 2008

Ethical Plea Bargaining Under The Texas Disciplinary Rules Of Professional Conduct., Edward L. Wilkinson

St. Mary's Law Journal

Plea bargaining is such an essential component of the administration of justice that disposition of charges after plea discussions is not only an essential part of the process but a highly desirable part for many reasons. Even though 95% of felony criminal cases nationwide are resolved through plea bargaining, there are no specific ethical rules governing the practice. The exhortation in article 2.01 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure states it is the primary duty of all prosecuting attorneys to see that justice is done, rather than merely convicting. In order to determine the ethical boundaries of plea bargaining, …


A Pragmatic Look At Mediation And Collaborative Law As Alternatives To Family Law Litigation Comment., Elizabeth F. Beyer Jan 2008

A Pragmatic Look At Mediation And Collaborative Law As Alternatives To Family Law Litigation Comment., Elizabeth F. Beyer

St. Mary's Law Journal

Since close to half the country’s marriages end in divorce, marriage dissolution is quite a lucrative business for attorneys. Also, fewer people are entering marriage in the first place. Fewer marriages combined with more children born out of wedlock create multitudinous legal problems and family disputes centering around those children. In addition to initial divorce filings and suits affecting the parent-child relationship, dissolution of marriage cases often creates additional litigation down the road. As a solution to the problems caused by the expense and toil of this litigation, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) offers several options for family disputants. Two popular …


Arc Ecology V. United States Dep't Of The Air Force - Anchors Away: The Potential For Non-Extraterritorial Statutory Application To Contaminate The Environment And International Relations, Jerre S. Riggs Jan 2007

Arc Ecology V. United States Dep't Of The Air Force - Anchors Away: The Potential For Non-Extraterritorial Statutory Application To Contaminate The Environment And International Relations, Jerre S. Riggs

Villanova Environmental Law Journal (1991 - )

No abstract provided.


Spam (Supremacy Clause, Public Forums, And Mailings): The Fifth Circuit's Interpretation Of The Can-Span Act In White Buffalo V. University Of Texas Comment., Jason A. Smith Jan 2007

Spam (Supremacy Clause, Public Forums, And Mailings): The Fifth Circuit's Interpretation Of The Can-Span Act In White Buffalo V. University Of Texas Comment., Jason A. Smith

St. Mary's Law Journal

Unsolicited email advertisement, spam, has been a problem of the internet since its inception. In the face of this onslaught, users have fought back with a variety of methods, involving filtering software. Users have also resorted to the courts, suing spammers under the “trespass to chattels” theory. Not all courts have agreed with this theory, as there is often little evidence of the owner’s use of their servers being adversely affected by a digital trespass. While the states were the first to address overwhelming amount of spam, Congress address the issue with the first nationwide anti-spam legislation, the CAN-SPAM Act. …


Comparative Responsibility In Nonsubscriber Litigation Revisited After Kroger Co. V. Keng., Trek C. Doyle, Jarrett R. Andrews Jan 2007

Comparative Responsibility In Nonsubscriber Litigation Revisited After Kroger Co. V. Keng., Trek C. Doyle, Jarrett R. Andrews

St. Mary's Law Journal

The Texas Supreme Court’s decision in Kroger Co. v. Keng appears to resolve the question of whether an employer who does not subscribe to worker’s compensation can avail itself of the proportionate responsibility scheme in Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. The question left unresolved is whether proportionate responsibility is available in nonsubscriber cases involving additional independently liable defendants. In Keng, the Court premised its holding on Texas Labor Code § 406.033, concluding nonsubscribing employers are prohibited from proving its employees were negligent. The Keng Court declined to decide whether proportionate responsibility was unavailable per se. …


The Path Of Least Resistance: The Effects Of Groundwater Law's Failure To Evolve With Changing Times Comment., Bruce E. Toppin Iii Jan 2007

The Path Of Least Resistance: The Effects Of Groundwater Law's Failure To Evolve With Changing Times Comment., Bruce E. Toppin Iii

St. Mary's Law Journal

Groundwater is a type of freshwater stored in the earth’s crust which does not flow through underground channels. In Texas, groundwater is becoming highly sought-after, and development of proper management and conservation models is crucial to preserve the resource for future generations. In Texas, ownership of groundwater is governed by the common law doctrine of absolute ownership, commonly mislabeled as the rule of capture. The absolute ownership doctrine still governs groundwater ownership, but its application has been judicially altered to limit the rights of landowners who wish to pump water from beneath their lands. Texas lawmakers also contributed to the …


Current Trends In Texas Charge Practice: Preservation Of Error And Broad-Form Use., William G. Arnot Iii, David Fowler Johnson Jan 2007

Current Trends In Texas Charge Practice: Preservation Of Error And Broad-Form Use., William G. Arnot Iii, David Fowler Johnson

St. Mary's Law Journal

Over the years Texas appellate courts have been wrestling with two overwhelming charge issues—charge preservation of error and broad-form use. Since the charge is the controlling document the jury uses to decide the factual issues of the case, it is of extreme importance. Before a party can complain on appeal about charge errors, the error must be preserved at trial. The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (TRCP) have a certain set of procedures for preservation of charge error. The Texas Supreme Court amended charge preservation of error practice in State Department of Highways & Public Transportation v. Payne. In the …


Challenges And Guidance For Lawyering In A Global Society The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility: Foreword., Susan Saab Fortney Jan 2007

Challenges And Guidance For Lawyering In A Global Society The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility: Foreword., Susan Saab Fortney

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Thompson/Mcnulty Memo Internal Investigations: Ethical Concerns Of The Deputized Counsel The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility: Essay., Colin P. Marks Jan 2007

Thompson/Mcnulty Memo Internal Investigations: Ethical Concerns Of The Deputized Counsel The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility: Essay., Colin P. Marks

St. Mary's Law Journal

Outside counsel who conduct internal investigations for corporate clients have always faced ethical concerns, especially when interviewing employees. Generally, a carefully crafted blanket statement at the beginning of the interview explaining outside counsel's role was sufficient to address these concerns. However, recent charging policies adopted by the Department of Justice ("DOJ") have drastically changed the rules. These policies, articulated in what is now commonly referred to as the "Thompson Memo," after the author and then Deputy General Larry Thompson, allowed prosecutors to consider factors such as waivers of the attorney-client privilege and work-product protections and whether the company provides legal …


Recent Developments In Texas Legal Malpractice Law The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility., Kellie M. Hinson, Elizabeth A. Snyder Jan 2007

Recent Developments In Texas Legal Malpractice Law The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility., Kellie M. Hinson, Elizabeth A. Snyder

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Ethical Considerations Concerning Contacts By Counsel Or Investigators With Present And Former Employees Of An Opposing Party The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility., James L. Burt, Jeremy J. Cook Jan 2007

Ethical Considerations Concerning Contacts By Counsel Or Investigators With Present And Former Employees Of An Opposing Party The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility., James L. Burt, Jeremy J. Cook

St. Mary's Law Journal

Present and former employees of an opposing party are often the best source of information concerning that party’s activities. Contact with these employees or their representatives may be considered ethical or unethical depending on the circumstances. Unfortunately, the rules governing such contacts are neither clear nor consistent. The first issue lawyers must resolve is whether the present and former employees are considered “represented” under Rule 4.2 of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. If they are “unrepresented” for purposes of Rule 4.2, the issue then becomes whether Rule 4.3 applies. Of grave importance are the potential sanctions, which include the …


Enforceability Of General Advance Waivers Of Conflicts Of Interest The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility., Nathan M. Crystal Jan 2007

Enforceability Of General Advance Waivers Of Conflicts Of Interest The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility., Nathan M. Crystal

St. Mary's Law Journal

Conflicts of interest among clients present some of the most pervasive ethical problems lawyers face. In many instances the affected clients may consent to a conflict. Under the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, for consent to be effective, it must be “informed” and must be “confirmed in writing.” Informed consent to such conflict is often referred to as a “waiver” of the conflict. Many law firms have begun seeking “general advance waivers” of conflicts of interest. The ethical rules did not deal with the issue of advance waiver until 2002. Both Model Rules and the Restatement of the Law …


Automatic Tolling Of The Voluntary Departure Period - A Circuit Split Recent Development., Katherine A. Tapley Jan 2007

Automatic Tolling Of The Voluntary Departure Period - A Circuit Split Recent Development., Katherine A. Tapley

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


What We Owe The World Are Thoughtful War-Crimes Trials That Do Justice Without Unduly Jeopardizing Innocent Lives By Compromising Vital Intelligence Comment., Sherry M. Barnash Jan 2007

What We Owe The World Are Thoughtful War-Crimes Trials That Do Justice Without Unduly Jeopardizing Innocent Lives By Compromising Vital Intelligence Comment., Sherry M. Barnash

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, the United States Supreme Court held the military commission convened to try accused terrorist Salim Ahmen Hamdan was unlawful. The Court concluded the Government could not lawfully proceed using established commission rules because the commission differed from courts-martial and did not follow certain aspects of the Geneva Convention. One procedure the Court found troubling was a provision in the Military Commission Order No. 1 which allowed the exclusion of the defendant and his civilian counsel from certain proceedings. Yet, denial of access was nothing new, as three decades prior Congress enacted the Classified Information Procedures Act …


The Evolving Standard For Granting Mandamus Relief In The Texas Supreme Court: One More Mile Market Down The Road Of No Return., Richard E. Flint Jan 2007

The Evolving Standard For Granting Mandamus Relief In The Texas Supreme Court: One More Mile Market Down The Road Of No Return., Richard E. Flint

St. Mary's Law Journal

The Prudential balancing test should be of concern for anyone interested in the rule of law. This test is the current binding precedent for determining when an appellate court should exercise its mandamus authority upon a finding of a clear abuse of discretion. This test has substantially altered one of the most time honored principles of mandamus jurisprudence, and replaced it with a newly articulated standard that leads to nothing short of ad hoc decision making. In the area of mandamus jurisprudence, the Texas Supreme Court has, from time to time, developed different ways to circumvent the common law history …


The Changing Face Of Vested Rights In Texas Land Development: A New Hat For An Old Law., Rebecca A. Copeland Jan 2007

The Changing Face Of Vested Rights In Texas Land Development: A New Hat For An Old Law., Rebecca A. Copeland

St. Mary's Law Journal

The Texas Legislature has recently made changes to Chapter 245 of the Local Government Code giving vested rights greater protection than ever before. Owners and developers now have greater protections, however, there are many circumstances under which the application of the law is unclear. Chapter 245 governs the issuance of permits for local development. The greater protections provided by the amendments include: defining the filing date upon which rights vest as the date “fair notice” is given to the regulatory agency, establishing a certified mail date as prima facie proof of the application’s filing date, and providing substantive rules governing …


Judicial Review Of Arbitration Awards In The Fifth Circuit., Christopher D. Kratovil Jan 2007

Judicial Review Of Arbitration Awards In The Fifth Circuit., Christopher D. Kratovil

St. Mary's Law Journal

In the wake of a defeat in arbitration, trial lawyers seek appellate counsel looking for some method to escape the arbitrator’s decision. Most leave such offices disappointed after having been informed arbitration awards will be set aside by the courts “only in very unusual circumstances.” The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) fully endorses arbitration and liberally encourages its use as an alternative to traditional litigation. Consistent with Congress’ focus on speed, efficiency, and cost reduction, a critical goal of arbitration is to establish “finality” at the earliest possible point. Unfortunately, early finality is antithetical to robust appellate proceedings. Yet, the FAA …


The Storm Between The Quiet: Tumult In The Texas Supreme Court, 1911-21., Michael S. Ariens Jan 2007

The Storm Between The Quiet: Tumult In The Texas Supreme Court, 1911-21., Michael S. Ariens

St. Mary's Law Journal

The Texas Supreme Court from 1911–1921 is best known not for the law it made or the opinions it wrote, but for its failure to decide cases. Although the supreme court’s difficulty in clearing its docket existed before 1911, the number of outstanding cases exploded during the second decade of the twentieth century. Arguably, the issue of statewide prohibition and the divergent views held on that issue by members of the Texas Supreme Court was the driving force behind the disharmony and dysfunctionality of the court during this decade. Statewide prohibition explains why elections of candidates to the court were …


Why Legal Ethics Rules Are Relevant To Lawyer Liability The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility., Douglas R. Richmond Jan 2007

Why Legal Ethics Rules Are Relevant To Lawyer Liability The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility., Douglas R. Richmond

St. Mary's Law Journal

The last two decades have witnessed the creation of a perilous liability environment for lawyers and law firms. Most discussions of lawyer liability begin with “legal malpractice,” a term which typically describes professional negligence. In a malpractice case, the plaintiff must prove the lawyer owed them a duty, the duty was breached, and the breach was the proximate cause of actual damages. The lawyer’s duty flows from the attorney-client relationship. But, the attorney-client relationship is also a fiduciary one, and lawyers may be sued for breach of the fiduciary duty. While these two causes of action are usually alleged simultaneously, …


Dean Robert William Piatt Dedication., N/A N/A Jan 2007

Dean Robert William Piatt Dedication., N/A N/A

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Setting The Limits In Texas Construction Law: A Look At The Surety's Limitations Under Indemnity Agreements And Equitable Subrogation Comment., John C. Warren Jan 2007

Setting The Limits In Texas Construction Law: A Look At The Surety's Limitations Under Indemnity Agreements And Equitable Subrogation Comment., John C. Warren

St. Mary's Law Journal

To clarify divergent case law, Texas courts should adopt good faith as the necessary standard governing indemnity agreements. Texas court decisions limiting settlement of bond claims by sureties can be split into three categories: (1) those cases where indemnity agreements fail to vest authority in the indemnitee to settle claims or require a good faith standard; (2) those expressly stating indemnitees have authority to settle claims in good faith; and (2) those expressly vesting a surety with exclusive rights to determine which bonded claims should be settled. Under the first line of cases courts apply common law indemnity principles requiring …


National Security And Environmental Laws: A Clear And Present Danger?, Hope M. Babcock Jan 2007

National Security And Environmental Laws: A Clear And Present Danger?, Hope M. Babcock

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

Without question, life in the United States has changed significantly since September 11, 2001. The attacks launched from within the United States in broad daylight against non-military targets and innocent civilians, followed by the intentional dispersal of the biological agent anthrax, ushered in an era of uncertainty and fear in this country unlike any in recent memory. The visible manifestations of this fear are still with us--concrete barriers and the closing of public spaces around public buildings, heightened security at airports and train stations subjecting people to invasive searches of their persons and belongings, the sudden, seemingly random appearance of …


Parties' Defenses To Binding Arbitration Agreements In The Health Care Field & The Operation Of The Mccarran-Ferguson Act Comment., Elizabeth K. Stanley Jan 2007

Parties' Defenses To Binding Arbitration Agreements In The Health Care Field & The Operation Of The Mccarran-Ferguson Act Comment., Elizabeth K. Stanley

St. Mary's Law Journal

Arbitration is a process which allows parties voluntarily to refer their disputes to an impartial third person, an arbiter, selected by them to determine the parties’ rights and liabilities. Initially, arbitration was encouraged between corporate entities with equal bargaining power. But, due to federal policy favoring arbitration, the use of predispute arbitration agreements have increased dramatically, and such clauses can now be found in many noncommercial consumer contracts, especially those in the health care industry. The strong federal policy favoring arbitration originated with Congress’ passing of the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). Under the FAA, an arbitration agreement is enforceable if …


Microsoft Windows Vista: The Beginning Or The End Of End-User License Agreements As We Know Them Recent Development., Rebecca K. Lively Jan 2007

Microsoft Windows Vista: The Beginning Or The End Of End-User License Agreements As We Know Them Recent Development., Rebecca K. Lively

St. Mary's Law Journal

Microsoft Windows Vista’s widespread use and influence on the market represents an ideal case study on the enforceability, pitfalls, and future of the End-User License Agreement (EULA). Since the release of the Windows Vista operating system in early 2007, Microsoft consumers often do not realize they are entering into a contract with Microsoft when they install Windows Vista onto their computer. Microsoft consumers probably do not realize that they may be clicking away valuable rights. In analyzing the enforceability of the specific terms of the Windows Vista EULA, Washington law will be the primary source because the Windows Vista EULA …


The Trans-Texas Corridor Plan: Will Best Value Highway Contract Procurement Under Comprehensive Development Agreements Leave The Lowest Competitive Bidder In The Dust Comment., Jason C. Petty Jan 2007

The Trans-Texas Corridor Plan: Will Best Value Highway Contract Procurement Under Comprehensive Development Agreements Leave The Lowest Competitive Bidder In The Dust Comment., Jason C. Petty

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.