Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Commons^™

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 …

How An Errorless Judgment Can Become Erroneous., Robert W. Calvert

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Hazardous Chemicals In The Workplace: The Employer's Obligation To Inform Employees And The Community., Nelson A. Clare

St. Mary's Law Journal

Significant changes have recently occurred in reporting requirements for employers who have hazardous chemicals in their workplaces. The amended Federal Hazard Communication Standard requires private employers, engaged in a business using hazardous chemicals, to communicate to employees the potential hazards. The Standard requires employers to use: 1) a Hazard Communication Program, 2) labels and other forms of warning, 3) material safety data sheets, and 4) information and training about hazardous chemicals. Local and state governments must compare and reconcile the various and complex provisions relating to the Standard to ensure compliance with all requirements of the respective laws. The Texas …

Private Retirement Benefits Earned During Marriage Characterized As Community Property And Do Not Automatically Remain Property Of Surviving Spouse., Darryl J. Silvera

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Should Your Spouse Be Compensated For Putting You Through School - Texas Says No; Is That Just And Right., Darryl J. Silvera

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

A Proposal To Protect Injured Workers From Employers' Shield Of Immunity., Catherine A. Hale

St. Mary's Law Journal

The current workers’ compensation system shields negligent employers from liability and fails to encourage compliance with safety standards. A practical solution is to broaden the judicial definition of intentional conduct and reinstate a common-law negligence action in workers’ compensation statutes. The Texas Workers’ Compensation Act awards compensation to employees for accidental injuries sustained in the course of employment. The Act bars an employee who accepts these benefits from bringing a common-law suit for damages against the employer. The exclusive nature of the workers’ compensation remedy thus leaves employers immune from common-law negligence actions by employees who accept the plan. An …

Judicial Rulemakers Held To Have Produced Federal Sentencing Guidelines Within Permissible Twilight Area In Which Branches Of Government Merge., Janis Hillman

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Asserting And Defending Claims Involving An Fslic Relationship., Joe Phillips

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Fundamental Error When Rule Against Misjoinder Violated By Charging More Than One Non-Property Offense In Same Indictment Resulting In Multiple Convictions., Virginia Coyle

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Statutory Claims For Unfair Insurance Settlement Practices - Vail V. Texas Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company., Joseph G. Chumlea

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Warranties, Disclaimers, Limitation Of Remedies, And The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act., Thomas Black

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Private Cause Of Action For Unfair Insurance Claim Settlement Practices Exists Under Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act And Insurance Code., Gloria F. Christmas

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Vail v. Texas Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, the Texas Supreme Court held a private cause of action for unfair insurance claim settlement practices exists under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and Insurance Code (DTPA). The DTPA and Insurance Code have repeatedly been used against the insurance industry in the areas of first and third-party claims, particularly in cases involving sales misrepresentations and post-loss claims misconduct. The goal of DTPA is to provide adequate safeguards to aggrieved consumers and, therefore, a broad interpretation of the act allows the courts to provide consumers a remedy and deter the continuance …

Civil Rico: Overview On The Eve Of The 200th Anniversary Of The Federal Judiciary., Dan A. Naranjo, Edward L. Pina

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

University Of Richmond Law Review

University of Richmond Law Review

No abstract provided.

$500,000 Cap On Non-Economic Damages For Medical Malpractice Inconsistent With Open Courts Guarantee In Texas Constitution., Kathryn Kase

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Government Action Does Not Violate Free Exercise Clause Of First Amendment When It Neither Coerces Action Contrary To Religious Beliefs Nor Prohibits Access To Practice Those Beliefs, But Merely Imposes An Incidental Burden On Religious Practice., Joani S. Harrison

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Merger Doctrine No Defense To Deceptive Trade Practices Suit For Breach Of Express Warranty., Robert Carl Jones

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Avoiding The Issue Of Whether Implied Warranties Extend To Professional Services By Defining Horse Training As A Modification Of An Existing Tangible Good., Wendy Hunkele

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Summary Judgments In Texas., David Hittner, Lynne Liberato

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Squeezing The Lemon - Helping Texas Consumers With New Car Problems., Darby Riley

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Military Contractors Who Comply With Elements Of Government Contractor Defense Are Immune From Products Liability Suits Stemming From Design Defects., Matthew J. Sullivan

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Boyle v. United Technologies Corp., the United States Supreme Court held military contractors who comply with the elements of the government contractor defense are immune from products liability suits stemming from design defects. Lower courts consider the government contractor defense to be a combination of two separate defenses. The first is the well-settled contract specification defense which eliminates liability for contractors who properly follow client supplied specifications. The second defense is the doctrine of shared sovereign immunity shielding the contractor from liability based on public policy concerns.

In Boyle, the Court held defective design of military equipment will not …

Texas Oil And Gas Leases Contain Separate And Distinct Implied Covenant To Further Explore After Lucrative Production., E. Joy Jackson Sparks

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Sun Exploration & Production Co. v. Jackson, the Texas Supreme Court held Texas oil and gas leases contain a separate and distinct implied covenant to further explore after lucrative production. A lease that grants an interest in oil and gas found beneath the ground surface holds several implied covenants. Once successful production begins on a leasehold, implied covenants arise to encourage cooperation between the lessor and the lessee. A covenant is a “promise” between two or more parties to perform or not to perform a specific act. A covenant may be expressly stated within a contract or implied by …

Jury Trials In The Bankruptcy Courts: Awaiting A Final Verdict., Ann Van Bever, V. Craig Cantrell

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Miranda Warnings Sufficient To Inform Defendant Of Sixth Amendment Right To Counsel For Postindictment Interrogations., David M. Shearer

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Toxic Waste: Who Pays The Piper - A Private Party's Federal And Texas Rights To Recovery Of Voluntary Cleanup Costs Of Toxic Waste., Barbara Hanson Nellermoe

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

In Pari Delicto Defense May Bar Recovery In Section 12(1) Action Under Securities Act Of 1933., G. Barton Chucker

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

A Consumer Update: Recent Developments Under The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act., Richard M. Alderman, Melanie P. Rosenthal

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Aspects Of Defending A Texas Deceptive Trade Practices - Consumer Protection Act Claim., Andy A. Tschoepe Ii, Stanley E. Crawford Jr., David Jed Williams

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Document Destruction In Business Litigation From A Practitioner's Point-Of-View: The Ethical Rules Vs. Practical Realities., Ricardo G. Cedillo, David Lopez

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

An Understanding Of Damages Recoverable Under The Dtpa., Deborah J. Bullion

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.