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Full-Text Articles in Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Impartiality In Judicial Ethics: A Jurisprudential Analysis, W. Bradley Wendel Jan 2008

Impartiality In Judicial Ethics: A Jurisprudential Analysis, W. Bradley Wendel

Cornell Law Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


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 …


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 …


Fulfilling Your Professional Responsibilities: Representing A Deaf Client In Texas Recent Development., Matthew S. Compton Jan 2008

Fulfilling Your Professional Responsibilities: Representing A Deaf Client In Texas Recent Development., Matthew S. Compton

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


A Tribute To Ernest A. Raba, Dean (1946-1978), St. Mary's University School Of Law Tribute., Aloysius A. Leopold Jan 2008

A Tribute To Ernest A. Raba, Dean (1946-1978), St. Mary's University School Of Law Tribute., Aloysius A. Leopold

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Henry F. Johnson Professor Of Law (1981-2008), St. Mary's University School Of Law Tribute., Bonita K. Roberts Jan 2008

Henry F. Johnson Professor Of Law (1981-2008), St. Mary's University School Of Law Tribute., Bonita K. Roberts

St. Mary's Law Journal

As a way to deal with his loss, this eulogy honors Henry Johnson (1942-2008) by focusing on ten good things about him. As a former English teacher, he valued clarity and precision, which reflects another good thing about Henry: the importance of strong organization. His zest for travel enabled him to share voluminous details about countless countries around the world, including where the best restaurants and wineries were. No description would be complete without emphasizing his love for golf, but the most important thing about Henry was the way he cared for his family, friends, and animals.


The Competency Of The Sham Affidavit As Summary Judgment Proof In Texas., David F. Johnson, Joseph P. Regan Jan 2008

The Competency Of The Sham Affidavit As Summary Judgment Proof In Texas., David F. Johnson, Joseph P. Regan

St. Mary's Law Journal

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit first addressed the sham affidavit theory in Kennett-Murray Corp. v. Bone. This is the doctrine regarding assertions made by affidavit in order to prove summary judgment which are contrary to prior statements given, usually during a deposition. More recently, the Fifth Circuit has used the theory to strike affidavits where it found a sufficient inconsistency existed. This Court has also applied the sham affidavit theory to any prior sworn testimony, not just deposition testimony. The adoption of this theory overturned the precedent which stated a factual issue existed where a …


American Legal Ethics In An Age Of Anxiety., Michael Ariens Jan 2008

American Legal Ethics In An Age Of Anxiety., Michael Ariens

St. Mary's Law Journal

The thesis of my article, “American Legal Ethics in an Age of Anxiety,” is that the historical development of American legal ethics was regularly accompanied by an anxiety within the profession. In general, I suggest the legal profession’s understanding of its ethical precepts has been molded and reshaped during periods of professional anxiety. The profession’s understanding of legal ethics changed dramatically during various crises in the 19th century, exemplified by the different approaches taken by David Hoffman in the mid-1830s, George Sharswood in the mid-1850s, and David Dudley Field in the early 1870s. In each case, however, the triggering event …


The Texas School Finance Litigation Saga: Great Progress, Then Near Death By A Thousand Cuts., Albert H. Kauffman Jan 2008

The Texas School Finance Litigation Saga: Great Progress, Then Near Death By A Thousand Cuts., Albert H. Kauffman

St. Mary's Law Journal

The Texas Legislature’s system for financing Texas schools is significantly more equitable after Edgewood v. Kirby. Edgewood I and Edgewood II effectively forced the legislature to improve the finance system. However, the rulings in the first two Edgewood cases have been whittled away by the last four Edgewood decisions.. As a result, courts now approach fundamental issues, legislative power, and the relationship between them differently. The Edgewood v. Kirby legacy still improves the equity and adequacy of Texas’s public education finance system. This legacy is expanded upon with observations regarding long term impacts of the Texas school finance litigation saga.


The All-Woman Texas Supreme Court: The History Behind A Brief Moment On The Bench., Alice G. Mcafee Jan 2008

The All-Woman Texas Supreme Court: The History Behind A Brief Moment On The Bench., Alice G. Mcafee

St. Mary's Law Journal

On the surface, there is nothing particularly noteworthy about the case of Johnson v. Darr, and, in fact it was not the merits of the case that made the headlines. It was the makeup of the tribunal. Long before women in Texas were even granted the right to serve on juries and before any woman ever served as a judge on any of the lower Texas courts, the judges appointed to hear the case of Johnson v. Darr were all women. This was the first time a woman was appointed in any capacity to serve on the Texas judiciary and …


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.


A Marginal Tax: The New Franchise Tax In Texas Comment., David A. Vanderhider Jan 2008

A Marginal Tax: The New Franchise Tax In Texas Comment., David A. Vanderhider

St. Mary's Law Journal

Taxation has long been a point of contention for both individuals and businesses. Primarily, taxation serves as a convenient and calculated method of allocating precious resources to areas in need. Although many states use property and income taxes as the preferred methods for funding these programs, Texas has a constitutional restriction on state taxation of individuals’ incomes. This means Texas has largely relied on property and business taxes to fund these programs. In 1991, while trying to avoid unconstitutional taxes on individuals’ incomes, the Texas Legislature adopted a franchise tax which taxed Texas businesses according to their capital. In 2006, …


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 …


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 …


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 …


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 …


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 …


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.


Client Responsibility For Lawyer Conduct: Examining The Agency Nature Of The Lawyer-Client Relationship., Grace M. Giesel Jan 2007

Client Responsibility For Lawyer Conduct: Examining The Agency Nature Of The Lawyer-Client Relationship., Grace M. Giesel

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

In the 1962 decision of Link v. Wabash Railroad Co., the United States Supreme Court reviewed a district court's sua sponte dismissal of a diversity negligence action. Six years after the plaintiff filed the matter, the district court scheduled a pretrial conference and gave counsel two weeks notice of the scheduled conference. On the day of the conference, plaintiffs counsel called the court to say that he would be unable to attend the conference, giving the impolitic reason that he was busy preparing some documents for the state supreme court. The attorney did not attend the conference, and the district …


Brother's Keeper: The Legal Ethics Of Representing Family Members The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility: Comment., Jason W. Whitney Jan 2007

Brother's Keeper: The Legal Ethics Of Representing Family Members The Sixth Annual Symposium On Legal Malpractice And Professional Responsibility: Comment., Jason W. Whitney

St. Mary's Law Journal

This Comment seeks to provide practical guidance in evaluating ethical issues for Texas attorneys considering representing a relative. Attorneys must always look to the relevant rules of professional conduct, advisory opinions, and case law to evaluate whether or not representation adheres to ethical guidelines. The primary sources of guidance are the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (Texas Disciplinary Rules), advisory opinions from the Supreme Court of Texas Professional Ethics Committee (Texas Professional Ethics Committee), and Texas case law. Part II of this Comment discusses the history of professional responsibility, characteristics of representing family members, and common ethical problems arising …


Threading The Eye Of The Erisa Needle: Erisa Preemption And Alternative Legal Schemes To Fill The Regulatory Vacuum., Bernard D. Reams Jr. Jan 2007

Threading The Eye Of The Erisa Needle: Erisa Preemption And Alternative Legal Schemes To Fill The Regulatory Vacuum., Bernard D. Reams Jr.

St. Mary's Law Journal

Popular consensus suggests that the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) is a mess, and one of historic proportions. ERISA’s comprehensive reach to protect employer-provided benefits has in practice produced unintended, if not contradictory, results. Congress passed ERISA over thirty years ago to protect the rights of employees who benefit from employer pension and welfare benefit plans. It did so with a series of regulations that promote uniformity in litigation across the various states through “strong preemption language.” The goal of uniformity arguably benefits workers by imposing regular standards of conduct which lend predictability to the scope of litigation, or …


Liability Insurance And Punitive Damages: Does Texas Public Policy Detest This Union Comment., Anthony H. Castillo Jan 2007

Liability Insurance And Punitive Damages: Does Texas Public Policy Detest This Union Comment., Anthony H. Castillo

St. Mary's Law Journal

There is a nationwide debate on whether punitive damages should be insurable. Insuring punitive damages causes courts concern regarding whether a wrongdoer escapes punishment by having the insurer pay for damages attributable to the wrongdoer’s egregious conduct. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit noted Texas’ public policy does not justify interference with private insurance contracts. The Court determined Texas allows liability insurance contracts to cover punitive damages and declared the inquiry ended. But, in the years since this determination, many Texas appellate courts have contracted the Fifth Circuit’s holding. The shifting discussion among Texas appellate courts …


Texas's Attempt To Mitigate The Risks Of Contracts For Deed - Too Much For Sellers - Too Little For Buyers Recent Development., Shelayne Clemmer Jan 2007

Texas's Attempt To Mitigate The Risks Of Contracts For Deed - Too Much For Sellers - Too Little For Buyers Recent Development., Shelayne Clemmer

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


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. …