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St. Mary's Law Journal

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Articles 91 - 120 of 856

Full-Text Articles in Jurisprudence

The Texas Anti-Indemnity Act., Taylor R. Beaver Jan 2014

The Texas Anti-Indemnity Act., Taylor R. Beaver

St. Mary's Law Journal

Owners, general contractors, and subcontractors enter into agreements to ameliorate risk amongst those exercising control. Some of these include hold-harmless agreements, indemnity agreements, releases, and agreements conferring additional insured status to others. Typically, parties enjoy freedom to contract as they wish. Texas has long recognized, as a matter of public policy, a party’s right to draft contracts however it sees fit. Historically, risk-shifting agreements were enforceable if they passed the fair notice requirements, meaning the express negligence rule and the conspicuousness test. The trend in recent years, however, has been to limit exculpatory clauses. In 2011, the Texas Legislature effectively …


Is My Case Mandamusable: A Guide To The Current State Of Texas Mandamus Law., Marialyn Barnard, Lorien Whyte, Emmanuel Garcia Jan 2014

Is My Case Mandamusable: A Guide To The Current State Of Texas Mandamus Law., Marialyn Barnard, Lorien Whyte, Emmanuel Garcia

St. Mary's Law Journal

It is important for all Texas lawyers to be knowledgeable about mandamus relief. Unfortunately, there is no bright line rule in terms of mandamus relief. The general rule for when mandamus relief may be granted is when the trial court clearly abused its discretion, and there is not an adequate remedy available from a court of appeals. A clear of abuse of discretion is determined if no other trial court would have come to the same conclusion. In deciding if mandamus relief is proper, appellate courts apply a balancing test. The appellate court considers several factors including: preserving relator’s substantive …


Mandamus Review Of The Granting Of The Motion For New Trial: Lost In The Thicket., Richard E. Flint Jan 2014

Mandamus Review Of The Granting Of The Motion For New Trial: Lost In The Thicket., Richard E. Flint

St. Mary's Law Journal

A trial court’s broad discretion in granting a new trial has been one of the mainstays of Texas jurisprudence since early statehood. Historically, this discretion was not subject to review through the ordinary appellate processes. This principle remains inviolate today, as the granting of a new trial is an interlocutory order from which the appellate courts of Texas do not have jurisdiction. Furthermore, the use of an original mandamus proceeding to compel a trial court to set aside the granting of a new trial has had only limited application. However, in response to the case of In re Columbia Medical …


Power Play: An Examination Of Texas's Anti-Slapp Statute And Its Protection Of Free Speech Through Accelerated Dismissal., Dena M. Richardson Jan 2014

Power Play: An Examination Of Texas's Anti-Slapp Statute And Its Protection Of Free Speech Through Accelerated Dismissal., Dena M. Richardson

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


The Computer Fraud And Abuse Act: An Attractive But Risky Alternative To Texas Trade Secret Law., Paul Hanna, Matthew Leal Jan 2014

The Computer Fraud And Abuse Act: An Attractive But Risky Alternative To Texas Trade Secret Law., Paul Hanna, Matthew Leal

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Texas Remedies In Equity For Breach Of Fiduciary Duty: Disgorgement, Forfeiture, And Fracturing., George P. Roach Jan 2014

Texas Remedies In Equity For Breach Of Fiduciary Duty: Disgorgement, Forfeiture, And Fracturing., George P. Roach

St. Mary's Law Journal

The remedy of fee forfeiture against lawyer fiduciaries has been marginalized. Following Burrow v. Arce, Texas trial courts have frequently applied a no-fracturing rule that effectively bars a claim for breach of fiduciary duty against an attorney. Although the court in Burrow held actual damages were not a prerequisite for fee forfeiture, many Texas trial courts have not followed that precedent. Most Texas trial courts require the plaintiff to prove actual damages to survive a summary judgment motion. Others have openly asserted that not all legitimate claims for breach of fiduciary duty should be allowed as an alternative claim to …


The Dual Role Of A Chief Justice., Catherine Stone Jan 2014

The Dual Role Of A Chief Justice., Catherine Stone

St. Mary's Law Journal

Notwithstanding the growing trend of high-dollar judicial election campaigns, many citizens do not know what appellate judges and appellate courts do. Faced with the reality of obscurity and the ever-present potential of failed reelection campaigns, appellate judges work each day to fulfill the mission of appellate courts: to efficiently resolve the legal disputes presented in appeals from lower court decisions with written opinions that are well reasoned, thoroughly researched, and intellectually honest. It is the responsibility of the Chief Justice to promote that core mission with all justices on the court, thereby working to best serve the legal needs of …


The Extraterritorial Application Of The Fifth Amendment: A Need For Expanded Constitutional Protections., Guinevere E. Moore, Robert T. Moore Jan 2014

The Extraterritorial Application Of The Fifth Amendment: A Need For Expanded Constitutional Protections., Guinevere E. Moore, Robert T. Moore

St. Mary's Law Journal

Since 2010, there have been forty-three cases—and ten deaths—involving the use of deadly force by United States agents against Mexican nationals along the border. Currently, the official policy is that officers may still use deadly force where they “reasonably believe”—based upon the totality of the circumstances—that they are in “imminent danger” of death or serious injury. Officers were found reasonable in using deadly force in situations as mundane as young boys throwing rocks. In light of these actions, the Mexican government has raised serious concerns about the disproportionate use of force by United States agents. The question now raised is …


A Statute Overtaken By Time: The Need To Reinterpret Federal Rule Of Evidence 803(8)(A)(Iii) Governing The Admissibility Of Expert Opinions In Government Investigative Reports., Edward J. Imwinkelried Jan 2014

A Statute Overtaken By Time: The Need To Reinterpret Federal Rule Of Evidence 803(8)(A)(Iii) Governing The Admissibility Of Expert Opinions In Government Investigative Reports., Edward J. Imwinkelried

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


The Accommodation Doctrine Revisited: Implications In Law And In Policy., Courtney R. Potter Jan 2014

The Accommodation Doctrine Revisited: Implications In Law And In Policy., Courtney R. Potter

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


In Pursuit Of Just Compensation In Texas: Assessing Damages In Takings Cases Using The Property's Tax-Appraised Value., Alexander B. Lutzky Jan 2014

In Pursuit Of Just Compensation In Texas: Assessing Damages In Takings Cases Using The Property's Tax-Appraised Value., Alexander B. Lutzky

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Plugging The School-To-Prison Pipeline By Improving Behavior And Protecting Core Judicial Functions: A Constitutional Crisis Looms., Patrick S. Metze Jan 2013

Plugging The School-To-Prison Pipeline By Improving Behavior And Protecting Core Judicial Functions: A Constitutional Crisis Looms., Patrick S. Metze

St. Mary's Law Journal

The consolidation of the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission (TJPC) into the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) in 2011, produced a unified state juvenile justice agency to promote public safety first and to produce positive outcomes for youth, families, and communities second. As Professor Metze’s second paper discussing ways to effect a change in the School-to-Prison Pipeline, he first highlights the progress of TJJD’s use of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in the Texas juvenile correctional context as continued evidence that such techniques, if effective in the correctional setting, will certainly work in the …


Getting Paid In Probate Court., Robert J. Augsburger Jan 2013

Getting Paid In Probate Court., Robert J. Augsburger

St. Mary's Law Journal

After reviewing the Texas Probate Code, the Texas Property Code, and current case law, this Essay compiles relevant information designed to assist attorneys in obtaining payment for services provided to their clients. An attorney ad litem is an officer of the court whose “fees are assessed as costs of suit” rather than requiring the ad litem to seek “fees only from his clients’ recovered shares.” Therefore, each attorney ad litem appointed under § 34A of the Texas Probate Code is entitled to reasonable compensation for services in the amount set by the court. The attorney’s fees “must be supported by …


The Co-Author Prenup., David A. Schlueter Jan 2013

The Co-Author Prenup., David A. Schlueter

St. Mary's Law Journal

Producing a book or article with co-authors is not an easy task. There are six potential issues one might consider before deciding to co-author a book or article. First, do you really want to be a co-author? Second, how many co-authors are going to be involved in the project? Having more than one co-author can make the departure of a co-author less of an issue, but each co-author needs to have a clearly defined role. Third, what role will each member of the team perform and what are those roles? Fourth, what should the co-author “marriage” look like? Multiple scenarios …


Secured Transaction History: Protecting Holmes' Notes Through The Conditional Sales Acts., George Lee Flint Jr. Jan 2013

Secured Transaction History: Protecting Holmes' Notes Through The Conditional Sales Acts., George Lee Flint Jr.

St. Mary's Law Journal

The historical explanation for the adoption of the conditional sales acts is woefully lacking. How and why the first conditional sales acts arose are investigated. Grant Gilmore, when presenting his theory, confessed ignorance concerning the origins of the conditional sale transaction, first known as Holmes’ notes. The failure of traditional legal historians to explain the passage of the conditional sales acts encourages inquiry into their legislative history to find an explanation. Pre-Act American decisions provide clues regarding the ratification of the acts. The courts provided three explanations for their passage: to treat the conditional sale as a chattel mortgage, to …


The South Texas Drought And The Future Of Groundwater Use For Hydraulic Fracturing In The Eagle Ford Shale., Taelor A. Allen Jan 2013

The South Texas Drought And The Future Of Groundwater Use For Hydraulic Fracturing In The Eagle Ford Shale., Taelor A. Allen

St. Mary's Law Journal

Texas has undergone a succession of historic droughts, each one creating unique problems and controversies. The state is also one of the largest national producers of oil and gas with the Eagle Ford Shale fields contributing to the production boom. The technique used to extract the oil is called hydraulic fracturing, which requires large volumes of water to be injected at high pressures to “frac” and release gas from an underground formation. The amount of water required places even greater strain on the regional water supply. This Comment highlights legal issues raised by the high volumes of groundwater used for …


The Benefit Corporation: A Questionable Solution To A Non-Existent Problem., Justin Blount, Kwabena Offei-Danso Jan 2013

The Benefit Corporation: A Questionable Solution To A Non-Existent Problem., Justin Blount, Kwabena Offei-Danso

St. Mary's Law Journal

Throughout American history a continuous call for businesses to wield their power and influence in such a way as to not only create economic value for shareholders, but also to create value in an ethical manner that benefits society as a whole has existed. Currently, many businesses respond to this call by integrating social responsibility into their operations. A recent innovation on this front is the development of the “benefit corporation” by the non-profit organization “B Lab.” The benefit corporation is essentially a hybrid entity. It is designed to have characteristics of both non-profit and for-profit entities. The entity also …


Deceiving Law Students: Employment Statistics And Tort Liability., Angie Roberts-Huckaby Jan 2013

Deceiving Law Students: Employment Statistics And Tort Liability., Angie Roberts-Huckaby

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


The Executive Right To Lease Mineral Real Property In Texas Before And After Lesley V. Veterans Land Board., Christopher S. Kulander Jan 2013

The Executive Right To Lease Mineral Real Property In Texas Before And After Lesley V. Veterans Land Board., Christopher S. Kulander

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Specialty Juvenile Courts In Texas: Using The Rehabilitative Juvenile Justice Approach To Reform Texas's Youngest Gang Members., Drew Darnell Jan 2013

Specialty Juvenile Courts In Texas: Using The Rehabilitative Juvenile Justice Approach To Reform Texas's Youngest Gang Members., Drew Darnell

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


To A Friend: The Honorable Will Garwood., Emilio M. Garza Jan 2013

To A Friend: The Honorable Will Garwood., Emilio M. Garza

St. Mary's Law Journal

William Lockhart Garwood died on July 14, 2011. In his thirty years on the court, Will would author numerous notable decisions, but his reputation would be solidified by two extraordinary cases: United States v. Lopez, in which, for the first time in recent judicial history, a court of appeals held that a congressional act was invalid as beyond the power of Congress under the Commerce Clause; and United States v. Emerson, in which, a court of appeals first articulated the Second Amendment protects individual Americans’ right to keep and bear arms. Neither case was without controversy. Not surprisingly, the Supreme …


To A Professor: Douglas Haddock Retires., Charles Epps Ipock Jan 2013

To A Professor: Douglas Haddock Retires., Charles Epps Ipock

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Civil Liability Approaches To The Stolen Valor Epidemic., Lauren A. Valkenaar Jan 2013

Civil Liability Approaches To The Stolen Valor Epidemic., Lauren A. Valkenaar

St. Mary's Law Journal

Over the years, civilians and members of the military have falsely claimed honors “stealing” the valor, reputation and benefits bestowed upon actual medal recipients. Lawmakers have historically addressed this problem of stolen valor with criminal prosecution. In 2005, Congress passed the Stolen Valor Act, making it illegal for an individual to lie about receiving military awards. However, the constitutionality of the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 was challenged in United States v. Alvarez. The Supreme Court of the United States found that the act violated the First Amendment because it was a content-based restriction on speech regarding military service. Therefore, …


New Oil And Old Laws: Problems In Allocation Of Production To Owners Of Non-Participating Royalty Interests In The Era Of Horizontal Drilling., Benjamin Holliday Jan 2013

New Oil And Old Laws: Problems In Allocation Of Production To Owners Of Non-Participating Royalty Interests In The Era Of Horizontal Drilling., Benjamin Holliday

St. Mary's Law Journal

Oil and gas exploration and production is not only a big business, it is also an expensive one. As with any business, when faced with competing alternatives, operators generally prefer to pursue exploration in areas with more stable and predictable legal environments. Efforts have previously been made to make Texas such an environment, but as technology advances, legal rules often become unclear in their application. The explosion in horizontal drilling activity is challenging the courts and the Texas Railroad Commission to apply and adapt traditional legal and regulatory concepts to horizontal wells. The growing dominance of horizontal well development is …


The Strange Case Of Lieutenant Waddell: How Overly Restrictive Rules Of Engagement Adversely Impact The American War Fighter And Undermine Military Victory., Jeffrey F. Addicott Jan 2013

The Strange Case Of Lieutenant Waddell: How Overly Restrictive Rules Of Engagement Adversely Impact The American War Fighter And Undermine Military Victory., Jeffrey F. Addicott

St. Mary's Law Journal

A rules of engagement (“ROE”) Review Board should be created in order to provide an impartial review process for service members facing adverse administrative action for violations of ROE. Politicians defining the ROE, rather than military experts, create rules that are so restrictive and confusing that they ultimately run counter to the military objective of victory. A violation of a ROE can be a criminal offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but violations are issued arbitrarily, and often the military does not charge the service member with a crime, instead using adverse administrative measures to impose punishment. While …


Texas Legislative Implications For Minors Accused Of Sexting., Mallory N. Myers Jan 2013

Texas Legislative Implications For Minors Accused Of Sexting., Mallory N. Myers

St. Mary's Law Journal

State legislation criminalizing sexting—the possession or electronic transmission of visual material capturing a minor engaged in sexual conduct—should not punish minors similarly to adults. The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (Walsh Act) in conjunction with the Sex Offender Registration & Notification Act (SORNA), require that any individual, including a minor, convicted of child pornography register as a sex offender. As a result, states with legislation that categorize sexting as child pornography, will require a minor with a sexting conviction to register as a sex offender. This disportionate punishment on the minor will make it difficult for …


Water Can Be For Drinking Again: Economic And Collaborative Solutions To A Texas Water Fight., Aaron Culp Jan 2013

Water Can Be For Drinking Again: Economic And Collaborative Solutions To A Texas Water Fight., Aaron Culp

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Removal Of Independent Executors: Examining The Standard In Texas After The Addition Of Material Conflict Of Interest To Section 149c Of The Texas Probate Code., Elizabeth R. Kopecki Jan 2012

Removal Of Independent Executors: Examining The Standard In Texas After The Addition Of Material Conflict Of Interest To Section 149c Of The Texas Probate Code., Elizabeth R. Kopecki

St. Mary's Law Journal

The State of Texas permits independent executors to operate with minimal court supervision. This allows executors to administer an estate with as little cost and delay as possible. Sometimes executors abuse this limited supervision and fail to manage estates properly. Fortunately, there are particular circumstances outlined in the Texas Probate Code which allow courts to step in and remove these harmful executors. Since the adoption of section 149C to the Texas Probate Code, grounds for removal have remained relatively specific. Recently, the legislature has added a new ground: “material conflict of interest.” Though no bright-line rule exists, there is precedent …


In-House But Out In The Cold: A Comparison Of The Attorney-Client Privilege In The United States And European Union Comment., Andrew R. Nash Jan 2012

In-House But Out In The Cold: A Comparison Of The Attorney-Client Privilege In The United States And European Union Comment., Andrew R. Nash

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


The Double Irish Sandwich: Reforming Overseas Tax Havens., Stephen C. Loomis Jan 2012

The Double Irish Sandwich: Reforming Overseas Tax Havens., Stephen C. Loomis

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.